At around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 21, 2013, plaintiffs’ decedent Eric Ringdahl, 45, a director of sales for a biotech company, was bicycling with a friend in the bicycle lane of El Camino Real, in Carlsbad. At the same time, a vehicle operated by Rafael Garcia drifted out of his lane and into the bicycle lane. Garcia’s vehicle subsequently struck Ringdahl, causing multiple traumatic . Ringdahl ultimately died at the scene. The decedent’s wife (Amy Ringdahl) and three minor children (Cayman Ringdahl, Cole Ringdahl and Tyra Soleil Ringdahl) sued Garcia and Alvarado Hospital LLC (which was initially sued as Alvarado Hospital Medical Center Inc.). Alvarado Hospital ultimately settled out of the case confidentially, and the matter continued against Garcia only. Plaintiffs’ counsel contended that Garcia was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. Specifically, counsel contended that Garcia probably dozed off while driving, causing him to go off the road and into the bicycle lane, where he struck the decedent. Garcia initially claimed another vehicle was tailgating him, causing him to be distracted. However, on the day before trial, Garcia admitted liability., Eric Ringdahl sustained multiple traumatic and ultimately died at the scene. He is survived by his wife, Amy Ringdahl, and their three children, Cole, age 9; Tyra Soleil, age 8; and Cayman, age 5. Plaintiffs’ counsel noted that the decedent was director of sales for Cytori Therapeutics Inc., a biotech company based in San Diego. Counsel also noted that the decedent was married to his wife for 12 years and that Amy Ringdahl took care of the children full time. However, plaintiffs’ counsel contended that the decedent was very involved in his children’s lives. The Ringdahl family claimed that they were a close and very loving family who, together, participated in sports, girl scouts, YMCA, music, and boating. They also claimed they often went to church together and went on vacations together. Thus, plaintiffs’ counsel asked the jury to award the Ringdahl $22 million in wrongful death damages. Garcia’s counsel challenged the alleged amount of damages, arguing that the amount was unreasonable and excessive.