Soumaya Cepeda, et al. v. John Beck, M.D.
Published: Aug. 31, 1996 | Result Date: Jul. 26, 1996 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: MC000869 – $0
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central West
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
James J. Kjar
(Kjar, McKenna & Stockalper LLP)
Experts
Plaintiff
Robert D. Hoffman
(medical)
Defendant
David L. Braff
(medical)
Facts
On Nov. 17, 1989, decedent John Cepeda, a 36-year-old traffic school instructor, presented to Lancaster Community Hospital for orthopedic injuries and psychiatric treatment. The decedent was admitted with suicidal ideation and psychosis. The decedent was seen by his treating physician, defendant psychiatrist John Beck, M.D. at 12 p.m. One-half hour later, the decedent committed suicide by utilizing a nurse's call cord to hang himself on the orthopedic structure of the hospital bed. The plaintiffs, the decedent's 45-year-old wife and their two children, ages 16 and 18, brought this action against the defendant psychiatrist based on medical negligence (failure to diagnose) and loss of consortium theories of recovery.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiffs made a C.C.P. º998 settlement demand for $29,999. The defendant made no settlement offer.
Injuries
Death of a 36-year-old husband and father.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately five years and six months after the case was filed.
Deliberation
2 hours
Poll
11-1
Length
9 days
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