A tragic case of alleged medical malpractice has been brought to light, involving the loss of an unborn child and significant emotional distress for the parents. On September 18, 2024, Angelica Esmeralda Pulido Arreola and Rigoberto Bravo Arreola filed a complaint in Ventura Superior Court against the County of Ventura dba Ventura County Medical Center - Santa Paula Hospital, Fillmore Family Medical Group, Inc., Dr. Lisa Solinas, and other unnamed defendants.
According to the complaint, Angelica and Rigoberto were expecting a child when they sought prenatal care from the defendants. On March 2, 2023, Angelica's pregnancy was confirmed at Fillmore Family Medical Group. From that point on, all prenatal care was provided by the defendants. The plaintiffs allege that on September 13, 2023, during a routine visit with Dr. Lisa Solinas and other healthcare providers at Ventura County Medical Center - Santa Paula Hospital, Angelica experienced contractions but was advised to return only if they became more frequent.
The situation escalated on September 16, 2023. Angelica experienced severe pain for three days and contacted Dr. Solinas early in the morning. She was instructed to go to Ventura County Medical Center - Santa Paula Hospital where she would be met by Dr. Solinas. However, upon arrival, Dr. Solinas was not present; instead, Nurse Kimberly Noell attended to her under the direction of Dr. Solinas via telephone. Despite being given morphine for pain relief and subsequently discharged home, Angelica continued to suffer.
On September 20, 2023, Angelica returned to the hospital with severe headaches accompanied by her husband Rigoberto. It was then that they received devastating news: no fetal heartbeat could be detected. A C-section confirmed their worst fears—the baby had died.
The plaintiffs claim that the negligence and substandard care provided by the defendants directly resulted in this tragedy. They argue that proper monitoring and timely medical intervention could have prevented their baby's death. Furthermore, both parents have suffered immense emotional distress due to these events.
In their lawsuit, Angelica and Rigoberto are seeking general damages for physical pain and mental suffering caused by medical malpractice as well as special damages for medical expenses incurred due to negligence. They also demand compensation for severe emotional distress experienced by both parents as direct victims of negligent infliction of emotional distress.
Representing the plaintiffs are attorneys Brian Van Allen (SBN 296481) and Rewa Ousman (SBN 346163) from Belgum Fry & Van Allen LLP based in Glendora California while Judge presiding over this case is yet unknown under Case ID: 2024CUMM030749