Deposition of Yong S. Lee, MD: Anesthesiologist at OrthoAtlanta

Case Overview: Arlina Addison v. Piedmont Orthopedics, LLC et al. The Lawsuit & Allegations 📅 June 9, 2022 – OrthoAtlanta Surgery Center, Austell, GA Arlina Addison underwent what was supposed to be a routine cervical epidural steroid injection (CESI)—a procedure meant to deliver medication into the epidural space behind her spinal column. Instead, the drugs were injected directly into her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). 💥 The Immediate Aftermath: Within seconds, Ms. Addison’s body went rigid in decerebrate posturing—her limbs locked, her fists clenched so tightly they couldn’t be opened, her entire body shaking violently. All classic signs of a catastrophic brain injury. 📜 The Lawsuit: Filed in Fulton County State Court, Georgia, Ms. Addison’s lawsuit alleges: ✅ Medical negligence ✅ Failure to follow the standard of care ✅ Delayed emergency response ✅ Misrepresentation of the severity of her condition 💼 Dr. Yong S. Lee, the provider at the center of it all, is under oath. Watch his deposition. The Medical Procedure & Injury Dr. Yong Lee, an orthopedic specialist, performed the cervical epidural steroid injection (CESI) on Ms. Addison. The standard of care requires: Real-time fluoroscopic imaging Contrast dye verification Precise needle placement Immediate response to complications Only a single fluoroscopic view was used, failing to ensure accurate placement. Contrast dye verification is, at best, questionable, according to the deposition and medical records. Ms. Addison immediately exhibited severe neurological symptoms, including decerebrate posturing—an textbook indicator of massive brain trauma. Key Issues in the Case 1️⃣ Improper Needle Placement The needle entered the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) instead of the epidural space. The injected drugs traveled directly to the brain, causing severe neurological damage and brain bleeding. 2️⃣ Inadequate Imaging & Documentation Dr. Lee only used a single AP (anterior-posterior) fluoroscopic image, despite best practices requiring multiple views for accurate placement. One-View = No-View. No documentation of contrast flow—a key safeguard to ensure the needle is correctly placed. 3️⃣ Delayed Emergency Response Despite clear signs of a catastrophic brain injury (decerebrate posturing, loss of bladder control), 911 was not called for 10-13 minutes. Instead, Ms. Addison was moved to the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit), delaying EMS activation by at leat 10 minutes. 4️⃣ Misrepresentation of the Injury The 911 call described the event as a "bad reaction" and convulsions, instead of accurately reporting textbook symptoms of catastrophic brain injury. What This Deposition Reveals In his deposition, Dr. Yong S. Lee was aggressively questioned by Plaintiff’s trial lawyer, James H. Potts II, about his decisions, actions, and the consequences of his medical procedure. 📌 Revealing contradictions and key admissions: ✅ Inconsistent testimony about imaging, contrast dye use, and patient monitoring. ✅ Acknowledges that a misplaced injection could cause catastrophic harm—yet denies responsibility. ✅ Fails to provide clear documentation proving contrast dye was properly used before the injection. ✅ Admits to delaying emergency response despite clear signs of traumatic brain injury. ✅ Claims Ms. Addison’s symptoms were due to "brain stimulation" rather than a brain injury—a theory unsupported by medical literature. 💥 This deposition lays bare the failures that led to Ms. Addison’s catastrophic injury. Watch for yourself. Why This Case Matters This case exposes critical failures in outpatient surgical centers, where: 🚨 Improper procedures 🚨 Lack of emergency preparedness 🚨 Failure to follow best practices …led to devastating patient harm. ❓ Did Dr. Lee violate the standard of care? ❓ Could this injury have been prevented with proper imaging? ❓ Why was there a 10-minute delay in seeking emergency medical help? The outcome of this case will set a precedent for patient safety, medical accountability, and malpractice in outpatient surgery centers. 📌 Photo used in thumbnail is AI generated. 🔔 Subscribe for more videos covering cases that demand answers from our healthcare system. 🌐 Website: www.JHPII.com 🎥 TikTok: @WeWinThingsChange