By Connor Dore, KGET
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — It’s been seven years since a Bakersfield mother and her newborn baby died while getting care from two different Bakersfield doctors.
Now one of the doctors civil trial is about to begin, and the mother’s family is seeking millions. It’s a tragedy that changed state law in California.
In 2019, 23-year-old Demi Dominguez was about to have her first baby, Malakhi, with her fiancé Xavier DeLeon. One night, Dominguez was showing signs of preeclampsia, a serious medical diagnoses, that is fatal if not treated.
What happened next is the subject of a closely watched civil case about to go to trial in Kern County Superior Court.
The suit says Dominguez went to Mercy Southwest hospital and was seen by Dr. Arthur Park for swelling and elevated blood pressure.
The allegation is that Park released her the next day with instructions to take medication and monitor her blood pressure at home.
Dominguez visited another maternal health doctor Hans C. Yu, who settled with the family before trial. Dominguez was brought back to the hospital just days later, after her fiancé awoke to find her having a seizure.
She died and her baby was delivered by C-section, but also died. Two doctors a Dominguez saw, Park and Yu, had multiple complaints filed to the medical board.
Yu had his license suspended, while Park gave his license up.
Yu settled with the family out of court, but Park, who is representing himself, is going to trial.
Wednesday, Oct. 14 marked court proceedings and jury selection, while tomorrow, Oct. 15 the trial is set to begin.
17 News asked Park if he had a comment, he blamed it on Yu.
“The guy that was involved was the guy that settled. Why bring me into it?” he said.
He declined to speak on camera.
Dominguez’s and Malakhi’s death changed malpractice laws in California.
Spearheaded by the family, in 2022, Assembly Bill 35 was signed into law, increasing the financial cap to sue in malpractice cases. The case is being followed closely by maternal health advocates across the state.
