Trial Magazine

Moody, 30, underwent a six-hour dental procedure performed under general anesthesia. Immediately after, while she was being assisted into her husband’s vehicle, Moody collapsed. She died, despite attempted resuscitation measures. An autopsy revealed multiple pulmonary emboli. She is survived by her husband and son.

Suit against the treating anesthesiologist alleged failure to assess Moody’s risk for an intraoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and include sequential compression devices in the anesthesia plan. Moody’s obesity, prescription oral contraception, and the duration of the procedure all warranted a form of DVT prophylaxis, the plaintiff argued.

The jury awarded her estate more than $5.02 million, including $3 million to Moody’s son.

Citation: Est. of Moody v. Williams, No. CL2300-4037-00 (Va. Cir. Ct. Chesterfield Cnty. May 2, 2025).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Derrick L. Walker, Richmond, Va.; and AAJ member Kari J. La Fratta, Charlottesville, Va.

Plaintiff experts: Alan Kaye, anesthesiology, Shreveport, La.; Daniel Forest, anesthesiology, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Hillary Maitland, hematology, Charlottesville, Va.; and Francisco Diaz, forensic pathology, Washington, D.C.

Defense experts: Victor Tapson, pulmonology & critical care, Los Angeles; Jonathan McMullen, anesthesiology, Charlotte, N.C.; Roger Wesley, anesthesiology, Salem, Va.; and Victor Arden, forensic pathology, McLean, Va.