Megan Murphy v. Pinkerton Services Inc., San Mateo County General Hospital, James La Perle and Corey Hawk
Published: Feb. 8, 1997 | Result Date: Jan. 15, 1997 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: 392034 Verdict – $0
Judge
Court
San Mateo Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Defendant
David A. Levy
(Office of the County Counsel)
Facts
On March 3, 1994, plaintiff Megan Murphy, a 21-year-old woman, was a patient at defendant San Mateo County General Hospital. Defendant Corey Hawk, a 21-year-old employee of defendant Pinkerton Services Inc., worked as a security officer at the hospital. On Oct. 15, 1994, defendant Hawk obtained information from the plaintiff's medical records (from the hospital computer), and told the plaintiff's sister that she had an abortion. Defendant Hawk claimed that defendant James La Perle, a psychiatric nurse employed by the defendant hospital, unknowingly helped him gain access to the computer. The plaintiff brought this action against the defendants based on invasion of privacy theories of recovery. Defendant Hawk defaulted.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made a settlement demand for $20,000. The defendants made a settlement offer of $7,500.
Damages
The plaintiff sought $___________ in damages.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately two years and two months after the case was filed. ARBITRATION: An arbitration was held on Feb. 15, 1996 before Joseph Galligan resulting in a plaintiff;s award against Hawk and a defense award against the other defendants. The plaintiff requested a trial de novo. At trial, James La Perle categorically denied Hawk's contentions and the jury accepted his testimony as credible. A default has been entered against defendant Hawk, but it has not yet been perfected to judgment.
Deliberation
1½ hours
Poll
12-0
Length
7 days
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