On May 20, 2010, plaintiffs’ decedent Stella Ramos, 81, a critically ill elderly woman, was admitted to Kindred Hospital – Sacramento, a long term acute care hospital. During her 52 day stay, internal medicine physicians Dr. Jasdeep Bal and Dr. Tet Toe were among several providers who cared for Ramos during the time she was in the facility. Toe was her primary physician for the majority of her stay at Kindred Hospital. However, Ramos died on July 11, 2010. Ramos’ family alleged that her death was due to Ramos becoming over-hydrated while suffering from congestive heart failure. The decedent’s family, which consisted of plaintiffs Michael Ramos, Stella Ramos, Lawrence Ramos, Rosalie Vazquez, Larry Ramos Grassi, Gloria Anaya, Patsy Ramos, Richard Ramos and Debbie Meza, sued Toe; Bal; nephrologists Dr. Rohit Kashyap and Dr. Naveen Atray; and the operator of Kindred Hospital, THC Orange County Inc. The family alleged that the defendants generally mismanaged the decedent’s care, causing her to become over-hydrated while suffering from congestive heart failure, and that their actions constituted medical malpractice. They also alleged the actions of THC Orange County (Kindred Hospital) constituted elder abuse and that Bal’s actions against Richard Ramos constituted intentional infliction of emotional distress. Several of the decedent’s family member ultimately dismissed their case prior to the commencement of trial. Thus, the matter continued with the claims of the decedent’s husband, Lawrence Ramos, and the decedent’s sons, Michael Ramos and Richard Ramos. Plaintiffs’ counsel contended that the defendants failed to move Ramos to a more suitable facility and that Bal refused to promptly come to the hospital on the morning of Ramos’ death. Counsel also contended that once Bal did arrive, he assaulted Richard Ramos. In addition, plaintiffs’ counsel presented an assortment of neglectful treatment allegations surrounding the care conditions at Kindred Hospital. Defense counsel denied that any of the defendants were negligent in the treatment of the decedent. In addition, Bal denied the assault allegations., Stella Ramos died on July 11, 2010. She was 81 years old. She was survived by her husband, two sons, and several other family members. The decedent’s husband and two sons sought recovery of wrongful death damages against all of the defendants. They also sought recovery of damages for the hospital’s alleged elder abuse. In addition, one of the decedent’s sons, Richard Ramos, sought recovery of damages for Bal’s alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress due to the alleged assault.