Trial opens in suit over actor John Ritter's death - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-11-2008, 10:20 PM

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Emmy-winning actor John Ritter, who died in 2003 after collapsing on the set of his popular TV sitcom, could have been saved with proper treatment, a lawyer for his family told jurors as the trial opened in their wrongful death lawsuit against two doctors.

But attorneys for the doctors, who treated Ritter after he suffered a torn aorta while taping the ABC-TV comedy "8 Simple Rules ... for Dating My Teenage Daughter," said nothing more could have been done for the 54-year-old TV star.

Ritter's family sued the doctors and Providence St Joseph Medical Center in 2004, claiming that the comic actor had died because he was wrongly treated for a heart attack instead of the torn aorta.

The family has already settled their case against the hospital and several other defendants for a reported $14 million.

Moses Lebovits, an attorney for the family, told the court in his opening remarks that the doctors erred in failing to order a chest X-ray for Ritter, a move that would have discovered the torn aorta.

"Because they didn't get the chest X-ray, they gave him the wrong treatment," Lebovits said as Ritter's widow, Amy Yasbeck, listened from the courtroom gallery.

But attorneys for radiologist Matthew Lotysch and cardiologist Joseph Lee told jurors that Ritter arrived at the hospital in grave condition and that they did everything they could to keep him alive.

"These doctors did nothing more than try to save Mr. Ritter's life," said defense lawyer Stephen Fraser. "Dr. Lee did not save John Ritter's life, but he didn't kill him either. At that time there was nothing that could have been done to save his life."

Ritter, best known for his Emmy-winning role on the hit 1970s sitcom "Three's Company," was rushed to the hospital from the set of "8 Simple Rules" on Sept 11, 2003 after suffering chest pain, nausea and vomiting. He died several hours later.

Actor Henry Winkler, who was on the set with Ritter on the day of his death, was expected to be one of the first witnesses to testify in the case.

vtunie · 02-11-2008, 10:28 PM

Well, off we go...

I will say nothing about who's at fault, how much should be paid or not paid... I don't know anything about that.

Ritter is dead. Rest in peace; and may we laugh, laugh, laugh together still. That's how I want to think of him.

I'm sorry, this verges towards politics, but.... These kinds of lawsuits and the media frenzy seem awfully foreign from up here. And I would never think of myself as anti-American.

Ireneparalegal · 02-11-2008, 11:33 PM

People all over the world sue each other. It is not just Americans who do it.

I wish Amy would come to her senses and let this go but that is just pure fantasy.

Lyverbe · 02-12-2008, 08:34 AM

I fully agree with above statements. If Amy would give the money to some charity, I'd see that her reasoning would be to make the hospital pay for their mistake and be more careful. Instead, she wants it for herself (and children) and that only makes me see her as a greedy person. I seriously doubt she needs the money.

sunshinefizzy · 02-12-2008, 03:00 PM

If this is a way to support herself and her daughter, that is bull ****. There are plenty of venues in Hollywood where she can get work, I'm sure. I never believed in suing anyone period, so I think suing over someone's death is extremely absurd and uncalled for. When your number is up it is up!!!

02-11-2008, 10:20 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Trial opens in suit over actor John Ritter's death LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Emmy-winning actor John Ritter, who died in 2003 after collapsing on the set of his popular TV sitcom, could have been saved with proper treatment, a lawyer for his family told jurors as the trial opened in their wrongful death lawsuit against two doctors. But attorneys for the doctors, who treated Ritter after he suffered a torn aorta while taping the ABC-TV comedy "8 Simple Rules ... for Dating My Teenage Daughter," said nothing more could have been done for the 54-year-old TV star. Ritter's family sued the doctors and Providence St Joseph Medical Center in 2004, claiming that the comic actor had died because he was wrongly treated for a heart attack instead of the torn aorta. The family has already settled their case against the hospital and several other defendants for a reported $14 million. Moses Lebovits, an attorney for the family, told the court in his opening remarks that the doctors erred in failing to order a chest X-ray for Ritter, a move that would have discovered the torn aorta. "Because they didn't get the chest X-ray, they gave him the wrong treatment," Lebovits said as Ritter's widow, Amy Yasbeck, listened from the courtroom gallery. But attorneys for radiologist Matthew Lotysch and cardiologist Joseph Lee told jurors that Ritter arrived at the hospital in grave condition and that they did everything they could to keep him alive. "These doctors did nothing more than try to save Mr. Ritter's life," said defense lawyer Stephen Fraser. "Dr. Lee did not save John Ritter's life, but he didn't kill him either. At that time there was nothing that could have been done to save his life." Ritter, best known for his Emmy-winning role on the hit 1970s sitcom "Three's Company," was rushed to the hospital from the set of "8 Simple Rules" on Sept 11, 2003 after suffering chest pain, nausea and vomiting. He died several hours later. Actor Henry Winkler, who was on the set with Ritter on the day of his death, was expected to be one of the first witnesses to testify in the case.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

02-11-2008, 11:33 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	People all over the world sue each other. It is not just Americans who do it. I wish Amy would come to her senses and let this go but that is just pure fantasy.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

02-11-2008, 10:28 PM	#2
vtunie Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 23, 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 592	Well, off we go... I will say nothing about who's at fault, how much should be paid or not paid... I don't know anything about that. Ritter is dead. Rest in peace; and may we laugh, laugh, laugh together still. That's how I want to think of him. I'm sorry, this verges towards politics, but.... These kinds of lawsuits and the media frenzy seem awfully foreign from up here. And I would never think of myself as anti-American.

02-12-2008, 08:34 AM	#4
Lyverbe Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 21, 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 280	I fully agree with above statements. If Amy would give the money to some charity, I'd see that her reasoning would be to make the hospital pay for their mistake and be more careful. Instead, she wants it for herself (and children) and that only makes me see her as a greedy person. I seriously doubt she needs the money.

02-12-2008, 03:00 PM	#5
sunshinefizzy Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 27, 2006 Location: Craptown Posts: 2,054	If this is a way to support herself and her daughter, that is bull ****. There are plenty of venues in Hollywood where she can get work, I'm sure. I never believed in suing anyone period, so I think suing over someone's death is extremely absurd and uncalled for. When your number is up it is up!!!