Monday, August 13, 2012
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U.S. District Court Senior Judge Lew Undergoes Skull Surgery
By a MetNews Staff Writer
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RONALD S.W. LEW U.S. District Court Senior Judge |
U.S. District Court Senior Judge Ronald S.W. Lew of the Central District of California is hospitalized in Bangkok, capital city of Thailand, following a serious head injury necessitating surgery on his skull, the MetNews has learned.
As of Friday afternoon, he was, for the seventh day, in the Intensive Care Unit of Bangkok Hospital, reputed to be one of the most advanced medical facilities in the world. His condition was listed as “stable.”
Stumbled and Fell
Lew, 70, stumbled and fell four feet off a ledge while visiting Angkor Wat, a Hindu complex in Cambodia, according to knowledgeable sources. The jurist hit his head and was rendered unconscious for a matter of minutes.
He was rushed by a medically equipped helicopter to Bangkok for treatment of his head trauma, and underwent craniotomy surgery (entailing an opening of the skull) to remove blood and pressure.
Results from this surgery will be assessed in about two weeks and a decision will be made whether to perform another operation.
His wife, Mamie, is with him.
Appointed to Bench
Lew was appointed to the federal bench in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan, and took senior status in 2006.
He was appointed to the Los Angeles Municipal Court by Gov. Jerry Brown in 1982 and elevated to the Los Angeles Superior Court by Gov. George Deukmejian in 1984.
The jurist turned down an offer of an appointment to the Court of Appeal by Deukmejian to pursue a nomination to the U.S. District Court.
Copyright 2012, Metropolitan News Company