K&M is representing an 86-year-old woman whose face burst into flames when a liquid anesthetic ignited during surgery in her $1 million lawsuit against her surgeon and anesthesiologist.
Jeanne Holden suffered burns to her eyes, hair and face. Greg Kafoury said the incident was made worse because Holden was breathing supplemental oxygen through a mask during the Sept. 16, 2016, surgery — and the flames traveled down her throat.
The fire was sparked by the surgeon’s use of an electrocautery tool, which is used to stem bleeding from incisions. Holden was undergoing a biopsy on an artery in her left temple. The liquid anesthetic should have been allowed to dry before the electrocautery tool was used.
Holden has undergone a series of skin graft procedures to try to repair some of the damage to her face. The burns to her eyes have hindered her ability to read.
“She’s seriously disfigured,” Kafoury said. “She says she feels that they took the last 10 to 15 years of her life.”
Holden seeks $1 million for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. She reserved the right to seek medical expenses, which have yet to be determined.