Doctor Refuses to Pay $1 to Settle Malpractice Suit
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SIMI VALLEY — A Ventura County doctor turned down an offer to settle a malpractice lawsuit for $1, saying that his reputation was at stake.
“I’ve been told by my malpractice firm, ‘You’ve won. Give them a hundred pennies on the courthouse steps,’ ” Dr. Edward M. Feldman said. “But if I give them a dollar, then who wins the lawsuit? I’ll never settle.”
He pressed for a trial, which got underway late Monday at Ventura County Municipal Court.
The 1998 lawsuit, filed by Amber Onstot, says Feldman, an obstetrician, inflicted unnecessary pain during examinations as he tried to persuade her to have a Caesarean section and allow him to take a planned vacation.
The couple charge that Feldman misdiagnosed Onstot with a tailbone deformity and high blood pressure.
Feldman denies allegations that he misdiagnosed Onstot or inflicted pain during any of the 19 visits she made to his office during her pregnancy.
The baby was born healthy.
Two weeks ago, a state arbitrator ruled for Feldman, finding no evidence of fraud or negligence. Onstot was directed to pay Feldman’s legal costs.
But the arbitration was not binding, and Onstot decided to go to trial.
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