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L.A. County Pays $46,752 for Hospitalization of Juvenile Injured During Arrest
by John E. Dannenberg
The County of Los Angeles (L.A.) settled a claim brought by St. Francis
Medical Center for hospitalization of a juvenile who was severely injured
when his car crashed while he was evading arrest.
On December 24, 2003, 17-year-old Raymond Garcia evaded police at speeds up
to 100 miles per hour. The chase ended with Garcia crashing and suffering
numerous severe injuries. County Sheriff deputies arrested Garcia at the
scene and took him to St. Francis, where he was admitted to intensive care.
He remained at St. Francis until February 18, 2004, when he was
sufficiently recovered to be taken to Juvenile Hall. Garcia was
subsequently convicted of multiple felonies and sent to state prison. St.
Francis billed L.A. County for $223,627.11, but the County did not respond.
St. Francis sued.
In settling the claim, the County conceded that "post-arrest emergency
medical treatment provided to a minor in the custody of the Los Angeles
County Sheriff's Department and detained by the Probation Department" was
indeed the financial liability of the County, where the patient "could be
adjudged to be a ward of the court or for violation of the Penal Code."
Averting significant litigation costs on both sides, the parties settled in
October 2005 for $46,752. See: Daughters of Charity dba St. Francis Medical
Center v. County of Los Angeles, L.A. Superior Court Case No. BC332986.
The County of Los Angeles (L.A.) settled a claim brought by St. Francis
Medical Center for hospitalization of a juvenile who was severely injured
when his car crashed while he was evading arrest.
On December 24, 2003, 17-year-old Raymond Garcia evaded police at speeds up
to 100 miles per hour. The chase ended with Garcia crashing and suffering
numerous severe injuries. County Sheriff deputies arrested Garcia at the
scene and took him to St. Francis, where he was admitted to intensive care.
He remained at St. Francis until February 18, 2004, when he was
sufficiently recovered to be taken to Juvenile Hall. Garcia was
subsequently convicted of multiple felonies and sent to state prison. St.
Francis billed L.A. County for $223,627.11, but the County did not respond.
St. Francis sued.
In settling the claim, the County conceded that "post-arrest emergency
medical treatment provided to a minor in the custody of the Los Angeles
County Sheriff's Department and detained by the Probation Department" was
indeed the financial liability of the County, where the patient "could be
adjudged to be a ward of the court or for violation of the Penal Code."
Averting significant litigation costs on both sides, the parties settled in
October 2005 for $46,752. See: Daughters of Charity dba St. Francis Medical
Center v. County of Los Angeles, L.A. Superior Court Case No. BC332986.
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Related legal case
Daughters of Charity dba St. Francis Medical Cente
| Year | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Cite | L.A. Superior Court Case No. BC332986 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 46752 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |