RIVERSIDE, Calif. (CN) – A woman lost her leg after Kaiser was slow to diagnose an arterial blockage, she claims in Riverside County Superior Court.

     Georgene M. Spanos sued Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) for breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, breach of contract, negligent and intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence.

     “Between October and December of 2014, Georgene Spanos presented to the Kaiser Foundation Hospital (KFH) and the SCPMG clinic facility in Riverside on no less than 18 occasions complaining of excruciating leg pain. She was repeatedly ignored and her symptoms were downplayed by Kaiser physicians. She was accused of psychological issues, drug seeking and exaggeration. Finally, in December of 2014, she was seen by one caring and competent physician who immediately diagnosed her with an arterial blockage in her leg. Unfortunately, it was too late and she required an above knee amputation (AKA),” the complaint states. (Parentheses in complaint.)

     After her amputation, Spanos sought physical therapy which Kaiser refused to provide, according to the complaint. She fell more than once because Kaiser gave her an inadequate prosthetic, according to the complaint. Kaiser requested three continuances during arbitration, dragging the process out for 18 months, according to the complaint.

     “When the last continuance was demanded by Kaiser, counsel for the Kaiser entities was informed by the arbitrator that no further continuance requests would be allowed or considered. Even then, Kaiser tried to get the arbitrator disqualified so that they would be granted another continuance,” the complaint states.

     Georgene Spanos seeks general, consequential, punitive and exemplary damages, non-economic damages for pain and suffering plus mental and emotional distress, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, costs of suit and a jury trial. She is represented by Patricia A. Law in Rancho Cucamonga.