Albuquerque, N.M. (November 19, 2025) – Chicago/Albuquerque Partner Karie Valentino, Chicago/Dallas Associate Alishba Malik and Albuquerque Associate Jose Rodriguez recently achieved a complete defense verdict for their client, a doctor, in a medical malpractice case in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a jurisdiction that is known for being plaintiff-friendly and awarding substantial “nuclear” verdicts.
The plaintiffs alleged that the client, serving as a physician for a methadone/suboxone clinic, failed to properly evaluate, diagnose, and monitor the decedent during his admission to the methadone treatment program at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.
Specifically, the plaintiffs claimed that despite no evidence of drug use and a recent negative urinalysis, the client approved the decedent’s admission to the program and administered methadone on three occasions without proper verification of drug use or adequate monitoring for toxicity, even though it was known or should have been known that the decedent was also taking hydroxyzine. They argued that this failure to meet appropriate medical standards resulted in the decedent’s death due to the toxic effects of methadone and hydroxyzine, constituting medical negligence, malpractice, and directly causing wrongful death and other damages.
During the six-day trial, the Lewis Brisbois team contended that their client’s care and treatment was appropriate and met the standard of care, asserting that the decedent was suitable for the methadone program and was correctly diagnosed with Opioid Use Disorder.
The jury returned a resounding victory for the defense.