On Feb. 17, 2009, plaintiffs’ decedent, James Medeiros, 73, a retiree from the aerospace industry, was admitted to West Hills Hospital in West Hills via the emergency room, complaining of three days of persistent headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath and congestion. Medeiros was on numerous medications, including Coumadin, because of an artificial mitral valve placed in 2003. As a result, he was worked up for pneumonia. For three weeks, he was managed for respiratory issues, including pneumonia and amiodarone toxicity, the potential/concern for congestive heart failure, as well as worked up for the hematological concerns regarding the international normalized ration and risk for a bleed. Numerous consultants, including from pulmonary, infectious diseases, cardiology, among others, were called to manage Medeiros. On occasion, Medeiros was in the Intensive Care Unit for significant respiratory distress. A lung biopsy ultimately revealed potential acute interstitial pneumonia or diffuse alveolar damage. Shahab Attarchi, M.D., an internist/hospitalist, monitored Medeiros and the overall treatment plan, with the input and assistance from the various consultants. On March 11, 2009, suspecting an acute gallbladder based upon Medeiros’ complaints of upper quadrant (flank) pain, an X-ray of the kidneys, ureter, and bladder, and an ultrasound was ordered, which did not reveal any significant pathology. In response to significant hypotension (68/44) and evidence of shock, Attarchi initiated orders for fluid resuscitation, a transfer to the ICU, and Dopamine. A CT of Medeiros’ abdomen revealed a large, right retroperitoneal hemorrhage. Over the early morning hours of that next day, March 12, 2009, fluids and blood products were ordered and administered, and consultations were sought, including from surgery. However, Medeiros passed away in the afternoon of March 12, 2009. The decedent’s wife, Virginia Medeiros, and his two adult children,Tracy Medeiros and James Medeiros II, sued West Hills Hospital & Medical Center, Attarchi and Attarchi Medical Group Inc. The decedent’s family alleged that the defendants failed to timely diagnose and treat the patient’s condition, causing his wrongful death, and that this failure constituted medical malpractice. West Hills Hospital & Medical Center settled prior to trial, while Attarchi’s medical group was dismissed on the first day of trial. Thus, the matter continued against Attarchi only. Plaintiffs’ counsel contended that Attarchi failed to timely identify and diagnose the a large, right retroperitoneal hemorrhage based upon the lab work and subsequently failed to aggressively manage the ongoing bleed with fluid resuscitation. Counsel further contended that Attarchi failed to return to the hospital based upon the deteriorating condition of Medeiros, as was required. Attarchi contended that he complied at all times with the applicable standard of care and that he did not cause the patient’s death. He claimed that he aggressively managed Medeiros’ deteriorating condition, and issued the appropriate orders to address the shock and bleed. However, Attarchi contended that despite his and the other consultant’s efforts, Medeiros could not be salvaged., The decedent suffered significant hypotension (68/44) and evidence of shock, necessitating fluid resuscitation and Dopamine. He was ultimately diagnosed with a large, right retroperitoneal hemorrhage of his abdomen, and was subsequently given fluids and blood products. However, the patient died on March 12, 2009. He was survived by his wife, and adult daughter and son. He was 73. The decedent’s family sought recovery of wrongful death damages, as well as recovery of damages for the loss of the decedent’s support from a family trust, which totaled, at maximum, over $1 million.