Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Jury Clears Doctors in Ritter Case

Actor ignored earlier medical advice, panel decides

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 14, 2008 4:00 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A California jury today cleared two doctors of negligence in a wrongful-death lawsuit brought by the family of actor John Ritter, the LA Times reports. Lawyers charged that doctors failed to properly treat and diagnose Ritter when he arrived at hospital in 2003 complaining of chest pain and nausea. The 54-year-old star of "Three's Company" died of a torn aorta that night.

The jury found that Ritter ignored a radiologist's advice 2 years earlier to seek follow-up treatment after a body scan, which could have detected trouble. The doctors maintained that they followed standard procedure on the night of Ritter's death, which could not then have been prevented. The family had sought $67 million in damages.

John Ritter, star of the series 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter, arrives with wife, Amy Yasbeck, for the 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Sept. 22, 2002, in Los Angeles.
John Ritter, star of the series "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," arrives with wife, Amy Yasbeck, for the 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Sept. 22, 2002, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Laura Rauch, File)
John Ritter, in a file photo from 2002.
John Ritter, in a file photo from 2002.   (KRT Photos)
John Ritter is shown at the 29th Annual People's Choice Awards in this, Jan. 12, 2003, file photo in Pasadena, Calif.
John Ritter is shown at the 29th Annual People's Choice Awards in this, Jan. 12, 2003, file photo in Pasadena, Calif.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file)
Amy Yasbeck, the widow of John Ritter, arrives at court Thursday Feb. 28, 2008 in Glendale, Calif.
Amy Yasbeck, the widow of John Ritter, arrives at court Thursday Feb. 28, 2008 in Glendale, Calif.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Actor Henry Winkler arrives at the Los Angeles County Superior courthouse Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, to testify during opening statements in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of actor John Ritter, in Glendale, Calif.
Actor Henry Winkler arrives at the Los Angeles County Superior courthouse Monday, Feb. 11, 2008, to testify during opening statements in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of actor John Ritter,...   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

A look at the closing arguments
Burbank Leader

Ritter's bio
IMDB

 
Hollywood • Burbank • John Ritter • Amy Yasbeck • Joseph Lee • Matthew Lotysch • Providence St. Joseph Medical Center • wrongful death

More Newser Stories

Peacock Flies Burbank Coop
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne