An Orange County woman died after undergoing Lap-Band surgery at an outpatient clinic in West Hills, according to news sources. She is the fifth person to die from procedures associated with the 1-800-GET-THIN campaign since 2009.
The 55-year-old victim was taken from the facility to a hospital where she was declared dead. Results from an autopsy have not yet determined her cause of death.
The facility on Woodlake Avenue, which has used multiple names, has had two patients die from surgeries. At a clinic in Beverly Hills, three people have died. Both get referrals from 1-800-GET-THIN.
The campaign has led to a number of Lap-Band surgeries in Southern California. The developers have been criticized for underplaying risks related to the surgeries. The surgery consists of implanted a silicone ring around the stomach to prevent overeating. It costs $12,000 to $20,000, and insurance often covers it.
As a wrongful death attorney in Los Angeles, I’m very sorry to hear of this loss of life, and offer my sympathy to this woman’s friends and family. If you or someone you love was injured or killed by a medical procedure like this one, I recommend you speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. I want you to know that the product liability lawyers at our law firm are here to help you and your family and to protect your rights. If someone has caused you suffering, we can help you hold that person legally responsible. Call us today to discuss the legal options that are available to you in regards to pain you may have endured.
