In a dramatic turn of events, a couple from Monterey County, California, has filed a lawsuit alleging severe medical malpractice and negligence that nearly cost one of them his life. On October 6, 2025, Kevin Mancus and Kindra Mancus filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara against Dr. Mauro B. Ruffy, Dr. John Lin, and Fremont Ambulatory Surgery Center. The plaintiffs allege that during a routine surgical procedure at the Fremont Surgery Center on October 8, 2024, Kevin Mancus suffered cardiac arrest due to an alleged overdose of epinephrine and/or lidocaine administered by the defendants.
The lawsuit details the harrowing experience of Kevin Mancus who was admitted for an excisional biopsy lipoma of the left cheek with facial nerve monitoring to be performed by Dr. Ruffy. During the surgery, which was assisted by anesthesiologist Dr. Lin and staff from Fremont Surgery Center, it is alleged that an excessively high dosage of epinephrine was administered leading to Mr. Mancus’s cardiac arrest. The complaint states: “Local units anesthesia was administered subcutaneously… I requested epinephrine diluted to a final concentration… Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that the concentration was not diluted.” This error reportedly caused Mr. Mancus to flatline for approximately 11 minutes before emergency resuscitative efforts were successful.
Kevin’s wife, Kindra Mancus, who was present at the surgery center during this incident witnessed her husband being rushed into an ambulance after suffering cardiac arrest. The emotional trauma she experienced forms part of their claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress. “Mrs. Mancus’s resulting emotional distress was serious and foreseeable given her relationship to Plaintiff Kevin Mancus,” reads the complaint.
The plaintiffs accuse the defendants of failing to meet standard medical care practices expected within their community and profession which resulted in physical harm and significant emotional distress. They are seeking general damages for pain and suffering as well as economic damages including medical expenses incurred due to the incident and loss of earnings since Mr. Mancus could not work as a commercial plumber for about a year following his injuries.
Additionally, Kindra Mancus claims loss of consortium due to her husband’s physical limitations post-surgery which have deprived her of companionship and marital support they previously enjoyed.
Represented by Johanna Arant from Arant Law Group P.C., Kevin and Kindra Mancus are demanding a jury trial seeking judgment against all named defendants for both general and special damages related to medical expenses, psychological treatment costs, loss of earnings, emotional distress, pain suffering as well as loss of consortium.
The case is presided over under Case No: 25CV476986 with Judge Y Chavez reviewing initial filings.
Source: 25CV476986_Kevin_Mancus_v_Mauro_B_Ruffy_Complaint_County_of_Santa_Clara_California.pdf
