L.A. County proposes settlement with woman injured at Rancho Los Amigos

DOWNEY – The L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider a $175,000 settlement with a woman who suffered a torn colon while undergoing treatment at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center. 

Betty McDonald was admitted to the county hospital on March 5, 2015 where she underwent a laparoscopic procedure for an undisclosed medical condition. After surgery, she developed pain and fever. 

McDonald underwent a second procedure the following day where medical staff discovered a small tear in her colon, caused during the previous day’s surgery. 

McDonald filed a complaint against the County of Los Angeles, alleging the March 5 procedure was negligently performed. 

The proposed settlement would pay McDonald $175,000, plus the assumption of a Medi-Cal lien at an approximate cost of $40,000.