In 2013, a Virginia man undergoing a colonoscopy accidentally left his smartphone recording during the procedure. When he listened to the recording afterward, he discovered that the anesthesiologist, Dr. Tiffany Ingham, and other medical staff had mocked and insulted him while he was unconscious. The recording included derogatory comments, false diagnoses, and plans to avoid the patient post-surgery.

The patient sued Dr. Ingham and her practice for defamation and medical malpractice. In 2015, a jury awarded him $500,000 in damages: $100,000 for defamation, $200,000 for medical malpractice, and $200,000 in punitive damages. Dr. Ingham was ordered to pay $450,000, and her practice was fined $50,000. The other doctor involved was dismissed from the case.