Facts

On Aug. 28, 2001, plaintiff Joyce Snow, 53, and her husband Ronald dined at the Blue Moon Restaurant and Saloon in Redondo Beach. Ronald, who was not feeling well during dinner, passed out while he was leaving the restaurant. He fell down a few stairs and hit his head. A restaurant employee who saw the fall called "911." When paramedics from the city fire department and an ambulance from McCormick Ambulance arrived at the scene, Ronald was awake and sitting upright. He had severe pain in his left arm and a cut on his forehead.

The paramedics placed Ronald's left arm in a splint and bandaged his forehead. They then conveyed him in the ambulance to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance. A hospital employee met the ambulance in the emergency department. He told the crew to transfer Ronald from the gurney to a wheelchair and to place the wheelchair in the waiting area of the emergency room. Ronald spent a disputed amount of time waiting to be seen. Meanwhile, no one started a chart, took his vital signs, noted his oral history, or physically examined him.

Some time between 9:30 that night and 10:00 the next morning, Ronald died of a heart attack. Joyce sued the hospital.

Settlement Discussions

Joyce demanded $1.4 million. The hospital made a C.C.P. Section 998 offer of $10,000.

Damages

Joyce claimed $1 million in loss of her husband's earnings.

Result

Defense.

Other Information

Prior to trial, Joyce voluntarily dismissed her negligence claims against the city, Providence Health System and McCormick.

Deliberation

30 minutes

Poll

12-0

Length

six days