HUNTINGTON BEACH : Couple Get $377,000 in Malpractice Suit

A couple who sued Humana Hospital-Huntington Beach for medical malpractice were awarded more than $377,000 Thursday, their attorney said.

Al and Louise Sanbrano of Huntington Beach alleged in their lawsuit that hospital nurses were negligent in leaving an intravenous needle in Al Sanbrano’s arm too long, causing him to get an internal infection.

Attorney Daniel M. Hodes said an Superior Court jury in Westminster deliberated about seven hours before awarding his clients $377,300 for various damages, including pain and suffering, lost wages and medical expenses.

Hodes said the case stemmed from treatment of a blood clot in one of Al Sanbrano’s lungs at Humana Hospital in November, 1986. The now-62-year-old man, who was once a football running back at USC, developed the blood clot shortly after he had undergone hip replacement surgery at another hospital.

While at Humana Hospital, Hodes said, nurses left an intravenous needle in Sanbrano’s arm for five days, despite a hospital policy stating that the needles should be replaced every 72 hours.

Because of the old needle, Sanbrano’s arm became infected, Hodes said. The infection spread from Sanbrano’s arm to his hip prosthesis, the attorney said. As a result of the infection, Sanbrano had to undergo six additional operations to correct complications in his hip, Hodes added.

The attorney for the hospital unsuccessfully argued that Sanbrano’s infection was linked to his hip operation at the other hospital, Hodes said.

The hospital’s attorney could not be reached for comment.