Franklin v. Bakersfield Mem. Hosp. CA5 ( 2013 )

Filed 12/6/13 Franklin v. Bakersfield Mem. Hosp. CA5
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COURTNEY FRANKLIN, etc., et al.,
Plaintiffs, F065620
v. (Super. Ct. No. S-1500-CV-271741)
BAKERSFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, ORDER
Defendant and Appellant; MODIFYING OPINION AND DENYING
REQUEST FOR PUBLICATION
PREMIER ANESTHESIA MEDICAL GROUP
et al., [No Change in Judgment]
Defendants and Respondents.
BAKERSFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL,
Petitioner, F065401
v.
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF KERN
COUNTY,
Respondent;
PREMIER ANESTHESIA MEDICAL GROUP
et al.,
Real Parties in Interest.
THE COURT:
It is ordered that the opinion filed herein on November 20, 2013, be modified as
follows:
1. The paragraph commencing at the bottom of page 19 and ending at
the top of page 20, second to last sentence beginning with “In the event,” the
words “in that amount” are deleted so the sentence reads:
In the event of a future claim by Nehemiah, BMH will be entitled to
a credit against any judgment on that claim.
There is no change in judgment. Except for the modification set forth, the opinion
previously filed remains unchanged.
The request for publication of the opinion is hereby denied. The opinion does not
establish a new rule of law, nor does it meet any of the other criteria set forth in
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1105(c).
In compliance with California Rules of Court, rule 8.1120(b), the
Clerk/Administrator of this court shall transmit copies of the request for publication, the
opinion, and this order to the Supreme Court.
___________________________
HILL, P. J.
WE CONCUR:
________________________________
LEVY, J.
________________________________
PEÑA, J.
2
Filed 11/20/13 Bakersfield Mem. Hosp. v. Super. Ct. CA5 (unmodified version)
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COURTNEY FRANKLIN, etc., et al.,
Plaintiffs, F065620
v. (Super. Ct. No. S-1500-CV-271741)
BAKERSFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, OPINION
Defendant and Appellant;
PREMIER ANESTHESIA MEDICAL GROUP
et al.,
Defendants and Respondents.
BAKERSFIELD MEMORIAL HOSPITAL,
Petitioner, F065401
v.
THE SUPERIOR COURT OF KERN COUNTY,
Respondent;
PREMIER ANESTHESIA MEDICAL GROUP
et al.,
Real Parties in Interest.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of Kern County. William D.
Palmer, Judge. ORIGINAL PROCEEDINGS; petition for writ of mandate.
Grienes, Martin, Stein & Richland, Robert A. Olson, Lara M. Krieger; Fonda &
Fraser, Stephen C. Fraser, John Aitelli and Daniel K. Dik for Defendant and Appellant
and for Petitioner.
LeBeau-Thelen, Dennis R. Thelen, W. Steven Shayer; Cole Pedroza, Kenneth R.
Pedroza and Cassidy C. Davenport for Defendants and Respondents and for Real Parties
in Interest.
No appearance for Respondent The Superior Court of Kern County.
-ooOoo-
By appeal and petition for writ of mandate, defendant, Bakersfield Memorial
Hospital (BMH), challenges the trial court’s determination that the settlement of
defendants, Dr. Narendra Raval and Premier Anesthesia Medical Group (Premier), with
plaintiff and other claimants was made in good faith. BMH contends the settlement
amount was disproportionately low in comparison with Dr. Raval’s degree of liability; it
further contends the settlement of Nehemiah Franklin’s potential future claim was
improper, because Nehemiah had no viable claim at the time of the settlement. We
conclude the trial court applied the proper test and did not abuse its discretion in
determining the settlement was made in good faith. In light of the facts and
circumstances of this case, the settlement of Nehemiah’s potential claim was proper.
Permitting the good faith settlement of the potential claim promotes the policy of
encouraging settlement by allowing Dr. Raval and Premier to buy their peace and by
bringing finality to the case, without unfairly disadvantaging BMH. Accordingly, we
affirm the judgment and deny the writ.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Courtney Franklin and her son, Nehemiah, through their guardian ad litem, Pamela
Gatewood (Courtney’s mother), sued an anesthesiologist, Dr. Raval, his medical group,
Premier, and BMH, for medical malpractice arising out of events that occurred during the
delivery of Nehemiah.1 About 10 minutes after Dr. Raval administered an epidural to
1 We refer to some of the individuals involved by their first names for convenience,
because they share a last name. No disrespect is intended.
2
Courtney, her blood pressure dropped and she became drowsy; a few minutes later, she
was asleep and could not be roused. She stopped breathing and had no pulse; the nurse
initiated a “code blue.” Dr. Raval asked the nurses for resuscitation instruments,
including an oral airway, Ambu bag, and laryngeal mask airway (LMA). Because
Courtney was an adult patient, he expected adult-sized equipment. The nurses looked in
the crash cart next to the bed, but could not find adult-sized equipment. They gave
Dr. Raval pediatric equipment. Dr. Raval used the pediatric equipment to ventilate the
patient. The baby was subsequently delivered by Cesarean section. A nurse who went
back in the room after Courtney had been taken from it found the epidural cart was still in
the room, with an adult-sized Ambu bag hanging from it in plain sight and an adult-sized
LMA in the drawer. One nurse opined that, in the commotion, which included
Courtney’s mother becoming hysterical, the nurses overlooked the epidural cart, which
had been pushed into a corner. A neurologist later concluded Courtney suffered a brain
injury from a hypoxic episode.
Nehemiah’s complaint was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice, apparently
based on an expert’s report opining that he “sustained minimal to no injury from his
mother’s cardiorespiratory arrest during her labor with him.” Subsequently, during
mediation, all parties reached a settlement of the action. The total settlement amount was
$5 million, with BMH contributing $3 million and Dr. Raval contributing $2 million.
Premier settled for a waiver of costs. The settlement amount was allocated among
Courtney and other claimants. Of the $2 million contributed by Dr. Raval, $250,000
went to Nehemiah for a release of his potential medical malpractice claims. Of the
remaining $4.75 million, $4 million went to Courtney for her injuries, $500,000 went to
Gatewood for out-of-pocket medical expenses and expenses of caring for Courtney and
her children, and $250,000 was divided equally among Nehemiah and his two siblings,
3
Heaven Guess and Damon Franklin, for their potential wrongful death claims. The
settlement was not conditioned on a finding of good faith in favor of any defendant.
The trial court approved the compromise of the claims of Courtney and the
minors. Dr. Raval and Premier moved, pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure sections 877
and 877.6,2 for a determination that their settlement with the claimants was in good faith
and barred indemnity claims by BMH. The trial court granted the motion and BMH
appeals.
DISCUSSION
I. Appealability
There is a conflict in the cases concerning whether a determination of the good
faith of a settlement is appealable after judgment is entered or may only be reviewed by
petition for writ of mandate filed immediately after entry of the order. (Compare Main
Fiber Products, Inc. v. Morgan & Franz Ins. Agency (1999) 73 Cal. App. 4th 1130, 1135-
1136 and O’Hearn v. Hillcrest Gym & Fitness Center, Inc. (2004) 115 Cal. App. 4th 491,
498-499 with Maryland Casualty Co. v. Andreini & Co. (2000) 81 Cal. App. 4th 1413,
1420-1425 and Wilshire Ins. Co. v. Tuff Boy Holding, Inc. (2001) 86 Cal. App. 4th 627,
634-637.) We need not resolve the conflict. BMH has filed both a timely writ petition
and a timely appeal from the judgment, in which it challenges the determination of good
faith, and the proceedings have been consolidated. We address the merits of the issues
presented.
II. Good Faith Determination
“Any party to an action in which it is alleged that two or more parties are joint
tortfeasors or co-obligors on a contract debt shall be entitled to a hearing on the issue of
the good faith of a settlement entered into by the plaintiff or other claimant and one or
2 All further statutory references are to the Code of Civil Procedure unless otherwise
indicated.
4
more alleged tortfeasors or co-obligors.” (§ 877.6, subd. (a)(1).) “A determination by
the court that the settlement was made in good faith shall bar any other joint tortfeasor or
co-obligor from any further claims against the settling tortfeasor or co-obligor for
equitable comparative contribution, or partial or comparative indemnity, based on
comparative negligence or comparative fault.” (Id., subd. (c).) “The issue of the good
faith of a settlement may be determined by the court on the basis of affidavits served with
the notice of hearing, and any counter affidavits filed in response, or the court may, in its
discretion, receive other evidence at the hearing.” (Id., subd. (b).)
A. Standard of review
Section 877.6 grants the trial court broad discretion in determining whether a
settlement is in good faith for purposes of that statute, and “its decision may be reversed
only upon a showing of abuse of discretion.” (TSI Seismic Tenant Space, Inc. v. Superior
Court (2007) 149 Cal. App. 4th 159, 165 (TSI Seismic).) “The abuse of discretion
standard is not a unified standard; the deference it calls for varies according to the aspect
of a trial court’s ruling under review. The trial court’s findings of fact are reviewed for
substantial evidence, its conclusions of law are reviewed de novo, and its application of
the law to the facts is reversible only if arbitrary and capricious.” (Haraguchi v. Superior
Court (2008) 43 Cal. 4th 706, 711-712, fns. omitted.) “We reverse the judgment only if in
the circumstances of the case, viewed most favorably in support of the decision, the
decision exceeds ‘the bounds of reason’ [citation], and therefore a judge could not
reasonably have reached that decision under applicable law. [Citations.] It is the
appellant’s burden on appeal to show the trial court abused its discretion. [Citation.]”
(Cahill v. San Diego Gas & Electric Co. (2011) 194 Cal. App. 4th 939, 957.)
B. Burden of proof
In the trial court, “[t]he party asserting the lack of good faith shall have the burden
of proof on that issue.” (§ 877.6, subd. (d).) The party seeking a determination of good
5
faith may file a “bare bones” motion, stating the grounds on which the determination is
sought and supporting the motion with a declaration setting forth a brief background of
the case and the settlement terms. (City of Grand Terrace v. Superior Court (1987) 192
Cal. App. 3d 1251, 1261.) The moving party need not address all the factors relevant to
the determination of good faith. (Id. at p. 1258.) The party challenging the good faith of
the settlement bears the burden of presenting evidence demonstrating that the settlement
is not in good faith. (Id. at pp. 1261-1262.) The moving party may then file responsive
declarations or other evidence negating the asserted lack of good faith. (Id. at p. 1262.)
C. Use of wrong legal standard
BMH contends the trial court applied the wrong legal standard because, during
oral argument, it stated that a plaintiff could pick and choose among defendants in
settling. The court’s statements prior to entering its final judgment, whether expressed
orally in court or in a written tentative decision, are not the judgment and may not be
used to impeach the judgment. (Smith v. City of Napa (2004) 120 Cal. App. 4th 194, 199;
In re Marriage of Ditto (1988) 206 Cal. App. 3d 643, 646-647.) A trial court may enter an
order or judgment wholly different from that previously announced. (Ditto, at p. 646; In
re Marriage of Drake (1997) 53 Cal. App. 4th 1139, 1170.) “[T]he trial court may
properly file a written order differing from its oral rulings when the rulings have not been
entered in the minutes of the court. [Citation.] Furthermore, when the trial court’s
minute order expressly indicates that a written order will be filed, only the written order
is the effective order.” (Drake, at p. 1170.) “[W]hether the trial court in its intended
decision made an alleged error of law or fact, the intended decision remains only an
intended decision. It is the statement of decision and judgment which allow the trial
court to rectify any errors.” (Ditto, at p. 648.)
The statements of the trial court at the hearing do not constitute the final ruling or
decision of the court; they are not the order under review. The formal order entered by
6
the court does not contain any reference to picking and choosing among defendants. It
does not indicate the trial court applied the wrong test in determining whether the
settlement was entered into in good faith. On the contrary, it reflects that the trial court
properly determined whether the settlement met the criteria for good faith set out in Tech-
Bilt, Inc. v. Woodward-Clyde & Associates (1985) 38 Cal. 3d 488, 499 (Tech-Bilt),
including whether the settlement was within the reasonable range of Dr. Raval’s and
Premier’s share of the potential liability, considering the facts and circumstances of this
case.
In any event, the trial court was correct that plaintiffs may choose with which
defendants they wish to settle; the settlement may be found to be in good faith, so long as
the Tech-Bilt criteria are met. Specifically, the settlement may be found to be in good
faith where there was no collusion between the settling parties and the amount of the
settlement was “‘within the “reasonable range” of the settling party’s proportionate share
of comparative liability’” for the alleged injuries. (Long Beach Memorial Medical
Center v. Superior Court (2009) 172 Cal. App. 4th 865, 872 (Long Beach Memorial).)
There was no evidence of collusion, and the trial court properly applied the “reasonable
range” test in determining whether the settlement was in good faith.
D. Dr. Raval’s settlement
In determining the issue of the good faith of a settlement, the question for the trial
court is “whether the amount of the settlement is within the reasonable range of the
settling tortfeasor’s proportional share of comparative liability for the plaintiff’s injuries.”
(Tech-Bilt, supra, 38 Cal.3d at p. 499.) A number of factors are considered in making
this determination, including: “a rough approximation of plaintiffs’ total recovery and
the settlor’s proportionate liability, the amount paid in settlement, the allocation of
settlement proceeds among plaintiffs, and a recognition that a settlor should pay less in
settlement than he would if he were found liable after a trial. Other relevant
7
considerations include the financial conditions and insurance policy limits of settling
defendants, as well as the existence of collusion, fraud, or tortious conduct aimed to
injure the interests of nonsettling defendants.” (Ibid.) A settlement is not in good faith if
it “is so far ‘out of the ballpark’ in relation to these factors as to be inconsistent with the
equitable objectives of the statute.” (Id. at pp. 499-500.) “The dual equitable goals of
section 877.6 are ‘equitable sharing of costs among the parties at fault and
encouragement of settlements. [Citation.]’ [Citation.]” (Long Beach Memorial, supra,
172 Cal.App.4th at p. 872.)
The evaluation of the settlement must be made on the basis of information
available at the time of settlement; the settlement amount “‘must not be grossly
disproportionate to what a reasonable person, at the time of the settlement, would
estimate the settling defendant’s liability to be.’ [Citation.]” (Tech-Bilt, supra, 38 Cal.3d
at p. 499.)
Raval and Premier filed a motion for the determination of the good faith of their
settlement with plaintiff and other claimants, supported by declarations and exhibits
setting out the nature of the claims being settled and the terms of the settlement. BMH
filed an opposition brief, supported by a declaration which merely identified two attached
documents: BMH’s opposition to the claimants’ petitions to approve their compromises
and plaintiffs’ statement of damages. In its opposition to the good faith motion, BMH
did not dispute the sufficiency of the overall amount of the settlement ($5 million from
Raval and BMH). Rather it contested the propriety of Dr. Raval’s $250,000 settlement of
Nehemiah’s potential medical malpractice claims and, as to the remaining $4.75 million,
challenged the percentage of the whole paid by Dr. Raval, contending it was less than his
proportionate share of the total settlement. BMH argued that Dr. Raval paid only 37
percent of the $4.75 million, while BMH paid 63 percent; it contended Dr. Raval’s
responsibility was “at least coextensive with” BMH’s.
8
Applying the Tech-Bilt factors, we note BMH does not contend Dr. Raval engaged
in any collusion, fraud, or tortious conduct in reaching his settlement with the claimants.
Regarding the “rough approximation of plaintiff’s total recovery” (Tech-Bilt,
supra, 38 Cal.App.4th at p. 499), there was no evidence of Courtney’s probable recovery
if she prevailed at trial, but BMH does not contend the total settlement amount was too
low. BMH submitted plaintiffs’ statement of damages, in which Courtney and Nehemiah
sought “[n]on-economic damages in an amount of $15 million, per plaintiff, per
defendant, per cause of action,”3 and economic damages “in excess of $15 million.” The
settlement amount is not compared with the amount sought in plaintiff’s complaint or
statement of damages, however, but with the probable recovery if plaintiff prevails at
trial. (Tech-Bilt, at p. 501.) There is no dispute that the overall settlement amount was
appropriate.
Dr. Raval’s settlement equaled the $2 million limit on his insurance policy.
Although Premier had a separate policy with a $2 million limit, there was no allegation
Premier was separately liable for claimants’ injuries; it was merely vicariously liable for
the conduct of Dr. Raval. Other than the limits of Dr. Raval’s insurance policy, BMH
presented no evidence of Dr. Raval’s financial condition or ability to respond to
claimants’ demands for damages.
Regarding the rough approximation of the settling party’s proportionate liability,
the evidence before the trial court included the following: Shortly after Dr. Raval placed
the epidural, Courtney’s blood pressure dropped, she stopped breathing, and her heart
stopped. Dr. Raval asked for the equipment necessary to ventilate her, but the nurses in
the room could not locate adult-sized equipment. The crash cart that had been brought
3 Plaintiffs noted in the statement of damages that they “assert that MICRA is
unconstitutional.” (See Civ. Code, § 3333.2 [part of the Medical Injury Compensation Reform
Act of 1975 (MICRA) which limits recovery of noneconomic damages in medical malpractice
actions to $250,000].)
9
into the room was a pediatric crash cart. After a search, the nurses presented Dr. Raval
with pediatric equipment; he asked for adult equipment, but he was not given any. He
successfully used the pediatric equipment to ventilate the patient. The baby was
subsequently delivered by Cesarean section. The hospital staff later discovered that an
adult-sized Ambu bag and LMA were on the epidural cart that had been in the corner of
the room at the time Dr. Raval asked for that equipment. The epidural cart was BMH’s,
but Dr. Raval would have brought it into the room with him. The crash carts and epidural
carts were stocked by hospital staff; the nurses were responsible for making sure crash
carts contained the proper equipment, readily accessible, for emergencies. That would
include an adult Ambu bag. BMH presented no evidence Dr. Raval was negligent in the
placement of the epidural, and no evidence of the cause of Courtney’s sudden change of
condition. The theory of liability against all defendants appears to be that the delay in
getting oxygen to Courtney, caused by the delay in getting the resuscitation equipment to
Dr. Raval, resulted in Courtney’s injuries.
BMH argued that Dr. Raval was primarily, or at least equally, liable for
Courtney’s damages. He was in charge of the patient, administered the epidural, knew
the epidural cart, which he took with him from room to room, was in Courtney’s room at
all times, with an adult-sized Ambu bag and mask on it, and failed to direct the nurses to
it. BMH asserted Dr. Raval “was the ‘captain of the ship,’ legally responsible for the
performance of everyone in the room, including the hospital’s staff during the
procedure.” As such, his liability encompassed that of the staff, so it could not be less
than 50 percent.
“The ‘captain of the ship’ doctrine imposes liability on a surgeon under the
doctrine of respondeat superior for the acts of those under the surgeon’s special
supervision and control during the operation.” (Baumgardner v. Yusuf (2006) 144
Cal. App. 4th 1381, 1396.) Although a physician is not ordinarily liable for acts of
10
hospital staff, such as nurses, who are not his employees, “‘“ if the physician has the right
to exercise control over the work to be done by the hospital employee and the manner of
its performance, or an employee of a hospital is temporarily detached in whole or in part
from the hospital’s general control so as to become the temporary servant of the
physician he assists, the physician will be subject to liability for the employee’s
negligence. [¶] Thus, where a hospital employee, although not in the regular employ of
an operating surgeon, is under his special supervision and control during the operation,
the relationship of master and servant exists, and the surgeon is liable, under the doctrine
of respondeat superior, for the employee’s negligence.…”’ [Citation.]” (Ibid., italics
omitted.) Even where a surgeon is liable on a “captain of the ship” theory, however, the
hospital is not necessarily absolved of all liability. (Ibid.) In Truhitte v. French Hospital
(1982) 128 Cal. App. 3d 332, for example, the trial court granted a judgment
notwithstanding the verdict and held the defendant surgeon solely liable for leaving a
sponge in the patient after an operation. The appellate court reversed, concluding that
even though the surgeon had a nondelegable duty to remove all the sponges, “it does not
follow that the hospital may escape liability for its independent negligence in failing to
devise adequate sponge-accounting procedures or in negligently carrying out such
procedures through its employee-nurses.” (Id. at p. 349.)
Additionally, a party who is vicariously liable for the tortious act of another is
liable only to the same extent as the party who committed the tortious act. (See Rest.3d
Torts, Apportionment of Liability, § 13, com. d & e, p. 114.) “A vicariously liable party
has the right to pursue indemnity against the primary tortfeasor.” (GuideOne Mutual Ins.
Co. v. Utica National Ins. Group (2013) 213 Cal. App. 4th 1494, 1504; accord, Rest.3d
Torts, Apportionment of Liability, § 22.) Thus, although the “captain of the ship”
doctrine may make a physician vicariously liable to the injured patient for the conduct of
hospital staff under his supervision and control, the doctrine does not negate the liability
11
of the hospital. Further, it defines the liability of parties to the injured plaintiff; it does
not address issues of comparative negligence or indemnity between defendants.
In determining whether the settlement amount bears a reasonable relationship to
the settling party’s proportionate share of liability, the court “must … consider the
culpability of the tortfeasor vis-à-vis other parties alleged to be responsible for the same
injury. Potential liability for indemnity to a nonsettling defendant is an important
consideration for the trial court in determining whether to approve a settlement by an
alleged tortfeasor. [Citation.]” (TSI Seismic, supra, 149 Cal.App.4th at p. 166.)
Likewise, the settling tortfeasor’s right to indemnity from other parties allegedly
responsible for the claimant’s injuries must be taken into account. In determining relative
liability, it appears any liability of Dr. Raval as “captain of the ship” would be offset by
his right to indemnity from those primarily liable.4
BMH argues a greater proportion of the potential liability was attributable to
Dr. Raval than to the hospital and its staff. Substantial evidence supports the trial court’s
implied finding to the contrary. Dr. Raval brought the epidural cart into the room, and it
contained an adult-sized Ambu bag in plain sight. When the emergency arose, Dr. Raval
remained with the patient at all times. The hospital staff brought in a crash cart, but it
was a pediatric crash cart, which did not contain adult-sized equipment for ventilating the
patient. The hospital staff was responsible for ensuring that a properly equipped crash
cart was accessible in case of emergency. When Dr. Raval demanded an adult-sized
Ambu bag and other equipment, the nurses could not find it on the crash cart and did not
look for it on the epidural cart. BMH blames Dr. Raval for not telling the nurses to
obtain the equipment from the epidural cart, but at least one nurse was aware that the
anesthesiologist took the epidural cart from room to room with him, so she should have
4 In light of this conclusion, we need not decide whether the “captain of the ship” doctrine
actually applies to an anesthesiologist under these circumstances.
12
known it was in the room at the time. Apparently, the epidural cart had been pushed into
a corner and the nurses overlooked it.
These facts do not establish as a matter of law that Dr. Raval’s proportionate share
of the potential liability was so much greater than BMH’s that he should have borne a
significantly larger share of the total potential liability than BMH.
The final Tech-Bilt factor we must consider is the amount paid in settlement.
BMH does not challenge the total amount of the settlement. It challenges the percentage
of the total that was paid by Dr. Raval as too small in comparison with his share of
liability. Dr. Raval paid a total of $2 million to settle the claims of all claimants. BMH
paid $3 million to settle the claims of all claimants, except the claim of Nehemiah for any
personal injuries he might develop or discover in the future arising out of defendants’
alleged medical malpractice. Comparing these amounts, Dr. Raval paid 40 percent of the
total and BMH paid 60 percent. BMH asserts the appropriate comparison is between its
$3 million payment and Dr. Raval’s payment of $1.75 million to settle all but
Nehemiah’s separate medical malpractice claim, because BMH’s settlement did not
include that claim. Even if we consider only those amounts, Dr. Raval contributed
approximately 37 percent and BMH contributed approximately 63 percent to the
settlement.
BMH contends Dr. Raval was at least equally responsible with BMH for
Courtney’s injuries. BMH has not demonstrated that, although 50 percent of the potential
liability is admittedly within the ballpark of Dr. Raval’s proportionate share of liability,
40 percent or 37 percent is not. “In the end, ‘[t]he ultimate determinant of good faith is
whether the settlement is grossly disproportionate to what a reasonable person at the time
of settlement would estimate the settlor’s liability to be.’ [Citation.] ‘[A] “good faith”
settlement does not call for perfect or even nearly perfect apportionment of liability. In
order to encourage settlement, it is quite proper for a settling defendant to pay less than
13
his proportionate share of the anticipated damages. What is required is simply that the
settlement not be grossly disproportionate to the settlor’s fair share.’ [Citation.]”
(PacifiCare of California v. Bright Medical Associates, Inc. (2011) 198 Cal. App. 4th
1451, 1465.)
In light of all the evidence presented in the trial court concerning how Courtney’s
injuries occurred, which does not demonstrate that Dr. Raval was significantly more
negligent or more responsible for Courtney’s injuries than BMH, and all of the Tech-Bilt
factors, we do not believe that Dr. Raval’s payment of 40 or 37 percent of the potential
liability is “‘grossly disproportionate to what a reasonable person, at the time of the
settlement, would estimate [Dr. Raval’s] liability to be’” or “so far ‘out of the ballpark’
… as to be inconsistent with the equitable objectives of the [good faith settlement]
statute.” (Tech-Bilt, supra, 38 Cal.3d at pp. 499-500). Accordingly, the trial court did not
abuse its discretion in determining Dr. Raval’s settlement with the claimants was in good
faith.
E. Premier’s settlement
Premier settled with claimants for a waiver of costs, which amounted to $9,022.
BMH contends Premier was jointly and severally liable with Dr. Raval for the claimant’s
losses, but it paid nothing to settle those claims, even though it had a $2 million insurance
policy of its own. The evidence demonstrated that Premier was a partnership and
Dr. Raval was a partner in it. Generally, a partnership is liable for an injury to a third
person that results from the wrongful act or omission of a partner acting in the course of
business of the partnership, but the partnership is entitled to seek indemnity from the
partner whose negligence caused the loss. (Corp. Code, § 16305, subd. (a); Crouse v.
Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison (1998) 67 Cal. App. 4th 1509, 1551.) There was no
evidence that Premier could be held liable to the claimants on any basis other than its
vicarious liability for the acts of its partner, Dr. Raval. Thus, Premier’s potential liability
14
was coextensive with that of Dr. Raval. Consequently, if, as we have concluded,
Dr. Raval’s payment of $2 million was sufficient for a good faith resolution of his
liability to the claimants (i.e., in the ballpark), it was also sufficient to resolve the
identical liability of Premier. No further contribution from Premier was required. The
trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining the good faith of Premier’s
settlement.
F. Settlement of Nehemiah’s potential claims
BMH challenges the good faith of the settlement on the ground it included a
payment of $250,000 to Nehemiah for his prospective medical malpractice claims for
injuries that have not yet manifested themselves. It argues Nehemiah dismissed his
complaint before the settlement, so at the time of the settlement there was no allegation
he was injured by the tort of joint tortfeasors. BMH asserts the trial court did not have
jurisdiction to adjudicate the good faith of the settlement of “inchoate, hypothetical
claims that might arise in the future from a currently nonexistent dispute.”
(Capitalization omitted.)
Section 877.6 provides: “Any party to an action in which it is alleged that two or
more parties are joint tortfeasors … shall be entitled to a hearing on the issue of the good
faith of a settlement entered into by the plaintiff or other claimant and one or more
alleged tortfeasors.” (§ 877.6, subd. (a)(1), italics added.) The statute does not require
that the claimant be a party to the pending action or that the tort allegations be made by
the claimant in a pending action. (See County of Los Angeles v. Guerrero (1989) 209
Cal. App. 3d 1149, 1154-1155 [concluding a settlement entered into prior to the filing of
any action may later be determined to be in good faith]; Mid-Century Ins. Exchange v.
Daimler-Chrysler Corp. (2001) 93 Cal. App. 4th 310, 316 [concluding an individual was
an alleged joint tortfeasor because of his ownership of the car by which the injured party
was injured, even though his insurer settled with the injured party without litigation or a
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formal claim].) Here, Dr. Raval and Premier were parties to an action in which it was
originally alleged that they and BMH were jointly liable for tortiously causing injuries to
Courtney and Nehemiah. The allegedly negligent medical care that was the subject of the
case was rendered to Courtney while she was in labor with Nehemiah. Thus, any
negligence may have affected both Courtney and Nehemiah.5 Dr. Raval and Premier,
alleged joint tortfeasors with BMH, settled with Courtney, the only plaintiff at the time of
the settlement, and with other claimants (Nehemiah, Heaven, and Damon), and sought a
determination of the good faith of that settlement. Under section 877.6, Dr. Raval and
Premier were entitled to a hearing to determine the good faith of the settlement, despite
the fact that Nehemiah, Heaven, and Damon were not parties to the action, but mere
“claimants.”
BMH argues that, at the time of the settlement, Nehemiah was not even a
claimant, because he had dismissed his action after an expert opined he had sustained
minimal to no injury as a result of his mother’s cardiorespiratory arrest during labor.
Because he was not injured, BMH concludes, Nehemiah had no claim to settle. But the
allegations of defendants’ negligence during Courtney’s labor remained, as well as the
possibility that Nehemiah may manifest an injury as he grows older.
Applying BMH’s reasoning, Nehemiah, Heaven, and Damon would not be
claimants in connection with their potential claims for the wrongful death of their mother,
because those claims were also inchoate, potential, future claims, rather than current,
existing claims. Their mother is still alive, and there are no wrongful death allegations in
the complaint. BMH does not challenge the propriety of the settlement of the potential
wrongful death claims, however. In fact, BMH’s own settlement with Courtney and the
other claimants included payments to Nehemiah, Heaven, and Damon for their potential
5 We note the expert’s report indicates Nehemiah experienced neonatal seizures shortly
after birth.
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wrongful death claims. BMH impliedly represented to the court, in its application for a
determination of the good faith of its settlement, that the settlement of those claims was
in good faith and appropriate for such a determination.
BMH attempts to distinguish the wrongful death claims from Nehemiah’s
potential personal injury claim on the ground the wrongful death claims are derivative of
Courtney’s claim while Nehemiah’s personal injury claim is not. In addition to the
inaccuracy of the characterization of wrongful death claims as derivative of the
decedent’s claims,6 we fail to see why claims that are potential and not currently
actionable should be legally cognizable for purposes of good faith settlement when they
are derivative of someone else’s claims, but not when they are the claimant’s own direct
claims.
Under BMH’s theory, an alleged joint tortfeasor could never entirely buy its peace
as long as someone had a potential claim that had not yet ripened into an actual claim.
For example, an alleged joint tortfeasor could not settle potential wrongful death claims
in good faith, but would have to wait until they matured into actual claims upon the death
of the injured party. The uncertainties caused by such a rule would discourage
settlements. Where the facts indicate a claimant may have a claim in the future, we
believe the likelihood that the potential claim may ripen into an actual claim, like the
likelihood that any particular alleged joint tortfeasor will be found liable for a portion of
the claimant’s loss, is a factor to be considered in determining whether the settlement is
in good faith.
6 “‘Unlike some jurisdictions wherein wrongful death actions are derivative, Code of Civil
Procedure section 377.60 “creates a new cause of action in favor of the heirs as beneficiaries,
based upon their own independent pecuniary injury suffered by loss of a relative, and distinct
from any the deceased might have maintained had he survived. [Citations.]” [Citations.]’
[Citation.]” (Boeken v. Philip Morris USA Inc. (2013) 217 Cal. App. 4th 992, 997.)
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Here, Nehemiah had a potential claim for personal injury due to medical
negligence, just as he, Heaven, and Damon had a potential claim for their mother’s
wrongful death. The evidence showed Courtney went into cardiorespiratory arrest during
labor; there was a delay in obtaining and placing resuscitation instruments. Courtney
sustained a brain injury; Nehemiah experienced neonatal seizures. Although the
claimants’ expert opined Nehemiah “sustained minimal to no injury,” he also
acknowledged Nehemiah was only 15 months old at the time of his examination. Thus,
while Nehemiah does not currently have evidence that he sustained more than a minimal
injury from the occurrence alleged in the complaint, it is possible such an injury will
develop or be discovered in the future. To buy their peace fully, Dr. Raval and Premier
included such a potential claim in their settlement. We find nothing in section 877.6 that
prevents settling parties from including in the settlement all of the settling tortfeasor’s
potential liability to the claimant arising out of the relevant events.
BMH contends that, if the trial court had jurisdiction to consider the good faith of
the settlement of Nehemiah’s potential personal injury claims, it abused its discretion by
finding the settlement to be in good faith. It asserts Nehemiah settled his personal injury
claims with Dr. Raval and Premier, but refused to settle them with BMH, leaving BMH
“holding the bag” for a potentially large future claim. Although, in its briefs, BMH
repeatedly states Nehemiah refused to settle his personal injury claim with BMH, it cites
nothing in the record in support of that assertion, or the implication that Dr. Raval and
Premier were involved in any such refusal. The declaration of counsel for Dr. Raval and
Premier, filed in support of the good faith motion, states that “[t]he settlement … was
obtained through arm’s length negotiations with the assistance of the neutral mediator,”
who “handled the negotiations without direct communication between me and plaintiffs’
counsel.” The declaration also states counsel’s understanding that his settlement was
reached at the same time as BMH’s. Thus, the record does not support BMH’s
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implication of wrongdoing in the settlement of Nehemiah’s potential claims against
Dr. Raval and Premier.
BMH also objects to the allocation of the settlement funds between Nehemiah’s
future claims and Courtney’s claims. In the determination of the good faith of a
settlement, the purpose of allocation is to determine the credit to be given to other alleged
tortfeasors under section 877. (L.C. Rudd & Son v. Superior Court (1997) 52
Cal. App. 4th 742, 752-753.) Section 877 provides that, “[w]here a release … is given in
good faith before verdict or judgment to one or more of a number of tortfeasors claimed
to be liable for the same tort, [¶] … it shall … reduce the claims against the [other such
parties] in the amount stipulated by the release.” (§ 877, subd. (a).) “The parameters of
the ‘ballpark’ for the purpose of allocating the settlement proceeds between discrete
claims are limited by evidence of the relation of the claims to the whole of the settlement
amount.” (L.C. Rudd, at p. 753.) The evidence disclosed that the value of Nehemiah’s
potential claim was small in relation to the other claims being settled and the total
settlement amount. At the time of settlement, Nehemiah had exhibited minimal or no
injury. Nonetheless, the parties allocated $250,000 to Nehemiah’s potential claim.
BMH complains both that the amount allocated to Nehemiah’s claim was too
large, because the expert opined that he sustained minimal to no injury, and that it was
too small, leaving BMH alone to face any large future claim Nehemiah might make. The
determination of good faith must be based on the facts as they were known at the time of
the settlement. (Tech-Bilt, supra, 38 Cal.3d at p. 499.) At the time of settlement, the
expert’s opinion indicated Nehemiah had sustained little or no injury from his mother’s
cardiorespiratory arrest during labor. Nonetheless, the settlement with Dr. Raval and
Premier did not allocate a nominal sum to Nehemiah’s potential personal injury claim. It
assigned the claim a significant portion of the overall settlement amount. The allocation
of $250,000 to Nehemiah’s potential personal injury claim benefited BMH. Nehemiah’s
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future medical malpractice claim against BMH was the only claim not included in the
settlements. In the event of a future claim by Nehemiah, BMH will be entitled to a credit
in that amount against any judgment on that claim. Had a smaller amount been allocated
to that claim, BMH’s offset against any judgment would have been correspondingly
smaller.
The evaluation of the settlement must be made on the basis of information
available at the time of settlement. (Tech-Bilt, supra, 38 Cal.3d at p. 499.) In light of the
facts known at the time of settlement and presented to the court in the motion for good
faith determination, we conclude substantial evidence supports the trial court’s finding
that the allocation of funds to Nehemiah’s potential claim for medical malpractice was in
good faith. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in concluding the settlement and its
allocation to the claimants and their claims, was made in good faith.
DISPOSITION
The writ petition is denied and the judgment is affirmed. Premier and Dr. Raval
are awarded their costs on appeal and in the writ proceeding.
_____________________
HILL, P. J.
WE CONCUR:
_____________________
LEVY, J.
_____________________
PEÑA, J.
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