On June 21, 2013, plaintiff Jerry Williams, 60, a property manager, presented to Brotman Medical Center and was diagnosed with gas gangrene of his right foot. Gas gangrene, also known as clostridial myonecrosis, is a fast-spreading and potentially life-threatening form of gangrene caused by a bacterial infection. The infection causes toxins to release gas, which leads to tissue death. Accordingly, while under the care of Dr. Nasser Mehrizi, a board-certified general surgeon, Williams had to undergo an above-the-knee amputation of his right leg. However, Williams claimed he never consented to the amputation. Williams sued Mehrizi; Dr. Mike Khosrow Mirahmadi; and the operator of the hospital, Southern California Healthcare System Inc., doing business as Southern California Hospital at Culver City, formally known as Brotman Medical Center. Mirahmadi and Southern California Healthcare System were ultimately dismissed from the case, and the matter continued against Mehrizi only. Plaintiff’s counsel contended that Mehrizi failed to obtain Williams’ informed consent and that Mehrizi should have attempted a less extreme form of treatment. Counsel further argued that Mehrizi’s actions constituted medical malpractice. The defense’s vascular surgery expert opined that Williams’ condition was a medical emergency. Defense counsel contended that the leg amputation was necessary and that Williams’ adult daughter signed the consent form for her father prior to the amputation. In response, plaintiff’s counsel denied that Williams’ daughter signed the consent form., Williams underwent an above-the-knee amputation of his right leg. He was later fitted for a prosthetic. Thus, Williams sought recovery of $200,000 in general damages.