The Case

• Case Name: Simpson v. Lee, DDS
• Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court / 21STCV30716
• Date of Verdict or Judgment: Wednesday, August 06, 2025
• Date Action was Filed: Thursday, August 19, 2021
• Type of Case: Dental Malpractice
• Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Lauren A.R. Lofton
• Plaintiffs:
  Lamesha Simpson
• Defendants:
  Hanfu Lee, D.D.S
• Type of Result: Jury Verdict

The Result

• Gross Verdict or Award: $11,697,870
• Net Verdict or Award: $11,697,870
• Economic Damages:$446,745
• Non-Economic Damages:$11,251,125
• Trial or Arbitration Time: 10 days
• Jury Deliberation Time: 6-7 hours

The Attorneys

• Attorney for the Plaintiff:

  Levy Law Firm by Dane Levy, Seal Beach.

  Commerce Law Group by Sassan Mackay, Fullerton.

• Attorney for the Defendant:

  The Goldman Law Firm by Ronald P. Goldman and Andrew J. Goldman, Belvedere Tiburon.

The Experts

• Plaintiff’s Medical Expert(s):

  Gary Wyatt, DDS, oral surgery.

  Marisa Chang, M.D., neurology.

  Mohammed Husain, DDS, dental radiology.

• Mark Crane, DDS, M.D., oral surgery. 
• Sanjay M. Mallya, B.D.S., M.D.S., Ph.D., dental radiology.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background:Defendant, a general dentist, on September 3, 2022, extracted plaintiff's wisdom tooth #17, causing permanent nerve damage. Plaintiff was 38 years old at the time of her tooth extraction. The defendant had been plaintiff's general dentist since 2006.
• Plaintiff's Contentions:That defendant should not have extracted plaintiff's wisdom tooth #17 as plaintiff's complaint was to her tooth #18, the tooth in front of tooth #17.
• Defendant's Contentions:That defendant's conduct was within the standard of care.

Injuries and Other Damages

• Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:Permanent inferior alveolar nerve damage and ongoing, permanent pain and suffering; dysesthesia consistent with spinally-mediated central sensitization, which requires monitoring by a neurologist.

Demands and Offers

• Plaintiff §998 Demand: $394,000
• Defendant §998 Offer: $150,000