Doctor: Beating victim Bryan Stow will require 24-hour care for life

A neurological surgeon who evaluated Giants fan Bryan Stow said Friday in court that the former paramedic would need 24-hour assistance for the rest of his life as a result of injuries suffered in a beating outside Dodger Stadium in 2011.

Dr. William Caton, chief neurosurgeon at Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, recounted in testimony the series of life-saving operating procedures performed on Stow that stabilized his condition. But, Caton said, Stow still requires constant rehabilitation.

A year ago, Stow was moved back to his family’s home in Santa Cruz because his insurance company would no longer pay for 24-hour care at the Center for Neuro Skills in Bakersfield. His family said at the time that he could have benefited from more time at CNS.

“My thought is he should have a similar situation that he had in Bakersfield,” Caton said in court Friday.

The costs of Stow’s medical care have been mounting since he was severely beaten outside Dodger Stadium in 2011. His lawyers said in an earlier court filing total costs could exceed $50 million.

Caton, who did not operate on Stow but has recently started treating him, said in court his hourly rate is $800.

Caton described the immediate efforts to decompress the swelling in Stow’s brain. Eventually a shunt had to be permanently inserted to divert fluid. Stow will be dependent on the shunt for the rest of his life, Caton said.

Stow must be monitored because of the threat of seizures. On Thursday night, Caton said he was told Stow had just suffered another seizure.

“He’s still sick,” Caton said. “He needs our help.”