$18 Million Verdict: How Vaage Law Helped a San Diego Family Find Justice After a Surgical Error

When you go into surgery, you place your life and your future in the hands of a professional. You expect them to use their knowledge and skill to keep you safe. Sadly, for our client, a routine surgical procedure took an unexpected and devastating turn.

In December 2025, Vaage Law helped secure a powerful jury verdict that sent a clear message about accountability in healthcare. After hearing the evidence, a San Diego jury awarded more than $18 million to a local woman who suffered a stroke during a surgical procedure.

Vaage Law, alongside co-counsel Chris Hendricks of Fox Law, was honored to represent this family and present the facts in a way jurors could understand. By focusing on common sense, patient safety, and responsibility, our team helped ensure that a preventable medical error did not go unanswered.

Verdicts such as these don’t happen by accident. They take preparation, experience, and the willingness to go to trial. If medical negligence has impacted your life, contact Vaage Law at (619) 338-0505 or fill out our private online form today.

The True Cost of a Preventable Mistake

Phuong Ho was diagnosed with a benign pituitary tumor. To remove it, she was referred to neurosurgeon Dr. Sohaib Kureshi for an endoscopic procedure, a surgery done through the nasal passages.

Before the surgery, imaging showed that Ms. Ho’s carotid artery, a major blood vessel, was very close to the tumor. During the procedure, Dr. Kureshi struck the artery with a surgical instrument. This mistake caused a massive stroke that left Ms. Ho paralyzed on one side of her body.

While Ms. Ho has worked incredibly hard to regain her speech and her ability to walk, she still struggles to use her right hand. These are not temporary injuries. They affect every part of life, such as work, independence, relationships, and dignity. As Bob Vaage noted during the trial, “These are forever damages.”

No court award can undo the harm, but holding the responsible party accountable gives the family some measure of justice and support.

Bob Vaage represented the patient and her husband throughout this challenging case, collaborating closely with co-counsel and trusted medical experts. The team took the time to translate complex medical concepts into plain language, ensuring the jury could see the real person behind the sterile medical terminology.

With founding attorney Bob Vaage having tried more civil cases to verdict than 95% of attorneys in San Diego and recognized as one of the region’s top trial lawyers, Vaage Law leverages decades of courtroom experience to make juries truly understand the people affected, not just the procedures. If you or a loved one has been harmed by medical negligence, call Vaage Law at (619) 338-0505 or fill out our online form to discuss your case.

Why Understanding Medical Negligence Takes Experience and How Vaage Law Helped the Jury Get It Right

Medical malpractice cases are notoriously difficult.

For most people, understanding the technical details of neurosurgery, anatomy, and surgical risk is nearly impossible. That’s why experienced trial lawyers like Vaage Law, with over three decades of courtroom experience and $190 million recovered for clients, are essential. We translate complicated evidence into clear, understandable facts that jurors can act on.

In this case, the jury had to weigh several critical factors:

• The surgeon knew the patient faced increased risk due to her unique anatomy.
• Safer alternatives were available, including referral to a more specialized surgeon.
• The most dangerous part of the procedure was approached too quickly.

One juror mentioned they couldn’t get past the fact that the doctor moved into the most dangerous area of the brain immediately after taking a biopsy.

Thanks to the combined efforts of Vaage Law and co-counsel Chris Hendricks of Fox Law Group, along with our thorough preparation, clear presentation of expert testimony, and decades of trial experience, the jury was able to quickly grasp what went wrong. 

After starting deliberations at 9:00 a.m., they reached a verdict by a little after 4:00 p.m. the same day, reflecting how effectively we made the case understandable and compelling.

About Vaage Law: Personal Attention in High-Stakes Cases

Since 1992, Vaage Law has focused on representing people who have been seriously injured by negligence, misconduct, or abuse of power. Every family has a unique story, and every case deserves a strategy built around real lives, not shortcuts.

This $18,056,088 verdict is another step toward helping a family pick up the pieces after a serious injury. But it also reflects a broader commitment: holding negligent parties accountable to make San Diego a safer place.

Stories of medical negligence matter, and Vaage Law knows how to make them heard. Let us stand with you and guide you through the legal process. Reach out to our trial-ready team today online or by calling (619) 338-0505.