California Hospital Fights Lawsuit Over Patient Death

A Clovis, Calif., hospital and doctor are defending themselves against a lawsuit filed by the family of a woman who bled to death after a common surgery.

The family of 40-year-old Nicole Caruso filed the medical malpractice suit after she died following medical procedures at Clovis Community Medical Center on April 13, 2011.

The Fresno Bee reports that a wrongful death civil trial began Thursday in Fresno County Superior Court. Testimony is scheduled to continue Monday.

Caruso died at her Clovis home about 14 hours after she was discharged from the hospital where she underwent surgery to remove a birth control device and get a tubal ligation.

Attorneys for the hospital and Dr. Hoa Pham contend that their clients’ actions were within the standard of care