Virginia Jimenez, et al. v. County of Los Angeles, et al.
Published: Feb. 26, 2000 | Result Date: Oct. 18, 1999 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: BC187929 Verdict – $512,614
Judge
Court
L.A. Superior Central
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Gary A. Dordick
(Dordick Law Corporation)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Ronald Crowell
(medical)
Ken Kimble
(medical)
Defendant
Samuel L. Stratton
(medical)
Ricardo E. Liberman
(medical)
Michael Smolens
(medical)
Facts
Plaintiff, Virginia Jimenez, is the mother of the decedent, Jacinto Cuevas. On March 30, 1997, at approximately
midnight, plaintiff Virginia Jimenez called 911 requesting assistance for her 10-day-old baby, who would not
stop crying for two days. Defendant paramedics responded to plaintiffÆs apartment and dispatched a private
ambulance to the apartment. The paramedics examined the newborn and did not transport the baby to the
hospital, stating that emergency transport was not necessary.
The plaintiff took her baby to the hospital the following day in critical condition. The baby was severely
dehydrated, suffering from hypernatremia. The baby died seven days later as a result of hypernatremia.
Settlement Discussions
Prior to trial, the defendants offered $40,000. PlaintiffÆs demand was $250,000, reduced to $125,000 at the mandatory settlement conference.
Damages
$12,614.87 medical and hospital expenses
Other Information
The jury found the plaintiff to be 50 percent comparatively negligent for a net verdict of $256,307.44. However, there is a $250,000 MICRA limitation without regard to the comparative negligence, so the verdict was not effected by the comparative negligence. The verdict was reached approximately one year and seven months after the case was filed.
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