John Ritter's Family Loses Wrongful Death Lawsuit

A jury cleared a cardiologist and a radiologist on Friday of negligence in the diagnosis and treatment of actor John Ritter, who died of a torn aorta in 2003.  Jurors found that the radiologist advised Ritter to follow up with treatment by a physician after a body scan two years before his death. Ritter did not do so. The lawsuit was brought by Ritter's widow and children.  The $67 million they sought was their estimate of the sitcom star's potential earning power. 
Previously, the family members received more than $14 million in settlements, according to court records

The 9-3 verdict means there is no damage judgment against the doctors. Verdicts do not have to be unanimous in civil cases.  Radiologist Matthew Lotysch testified he told Ritter he had calcification in three coronary arteries and should consult other doctors. But in a related finding, the jury decided that Ritter's failure to pursue that medical consultation was not a cause of his death.

Witnesses included Ritter's wife, Amy Yasbeck, and his co-star, Henry Winkler.  Amy Yasbeck sometimes could barely speak through her tears as she recounted the last hours in which she was summoned to a hospital and told her husband was having a heart attack and needed an angiogram.

Henry Winkler was working with Ritter the day he collapsed.  He  told jurors Wednesday that his friend John Ritter seemed in top form on the set of his television show "8 Simple Rules" Sept. 11, 2003, the day he died.  By that afternoon, however, Winkler said, he had noticed that Ritter "was sweating. He said, 'You know, I really need to get some water.' That was the last time I saw him."

I'm not at all surprised by the verdict.  Medical malpractice is very hard to prove, and absent a specific negligent act, jurors do not like to find against doctors.  The defense argued Ritter showed the classic signs of a heart attack and his treatment was appropriate.

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Comments

[Video Killed The Radio Stars]

I think they originally got enough ... don't get too GREEDY here peops. Let the poor guy rest in peace!