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Contracts
Services Rendered
Open Book Account

Edwards, M.D., et al. v. Mullikin Medical Center

Published: Jul. 18, 1998 | Result Date: Mar. 11, 1998 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: VC024132 Verdict –  $89,204

Judge

Robert J. Higa

Court

L.A. Superior Norwalk


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Robert B. Scapa

Andrew H. Selesnick
(Buchalter)


Defendant

Paul S. Cooley

Michael D. Burnstein


Experts

Plaintiff

Del Brault
(technical)

Defendant

Thomas Grayson
(technical)

Facts

The plaintiffs were groups of emergency room doctors who rendered services to members of defendant Mullikin Medical Center from 1993 to 1997. The defendant refused to pay all or part of 800 claims submitted by the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs brought this action against the defendant based on common counts and open book account.

Damages

The plaintiffs claimed $135,000, per plaintiff, in current due charges.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately one year after the case was filed. The plaintiffs were also awarded costs of $2,629.90 and prejudgment interest of $8,822.84. A settlement conference was held on Feb. 3, 1998, resulting in no offer and no settlement. Per plaintiff, the defendant paid the entire judgment in full, and this was the first case to go to trial challenging the fairness of what HMOs and other health insurance companies pay emergency room doctors.

Deliberation

five hours

Poll

12-0

Length

3½ days


#91299

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