Joan Rivers's Anesthesiologist Claims She Did Everything Right, Files Response to Malpractice Suit

In fact, according to a report by Page Six, it took Bankulla just three days to file a response in Manhattan Supreme Court.

"Melissa Rivers' suit," said Bankulla, "failed to demand or request a crash cart" when Joan's oxygen level dropped below 90 percent and her heart rate plummeted.

But the board-certified anesthesiologist said a crash cart was available in the operating room.

Bankulla also disputes Melissa's claim that doctors could have saved Joan if they had administered a muscle relaxant, succinylcholine, which loosens seized vocal cords.

"The laryngospasm had already broken, and Joan Rivers was being adequately oxygenated with mask ventilation," Bankulla said in last Thursday's [Jan. 29's] Manhattan Supreme Court filing," said the source.

So far, Bankulla is the only one to file a response and fight back against allegations of negligence. Up until now, the other two doctors, Drs. Lawrence Cohen and Gwen Korovin have all but gone into hiding. They have yet to even try to battle the deck that is stacked in front of them.

Readers: Do you think that maybe Bankulla really did do her job, but once the other two made mistakes there was nothing she could have done to save Joan? Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, Court, Yorkville Clinic