John Lawrence and Joshua Levine were successful in bringing in a 24.2 million verdict in favor of a medical corporation and its principal in a hard-fought and complicated breach of contract case against a Northern California Hospital Group.  Following a five and a half week trial in Yuba County, City of Marysville, our client prevailed on all causes of action against the Hospital Group, with the jury awarding our clients $14.2 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages – the largest verdict of its type in California to date.  The jury unanimously found that Fremont-Rideout Medical Group breached the contract with our clients, and otherwise acted improperly in terminating the relationship.  The jury rejected the Hospital Group's arguments that the termination of the contract and related privileges was justified.  The highest settlement offer made by the Hospital prior to trial was $5,000.

Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Levine were honored to accept awards in December, 2006, when the verdict was recognized by California trial lawyers as the Outstanding Verdict of 2006.  The verdict was included as one of the National Law Journal's top 100 verdicts in the nation for 2006, and was recognized by The Daily Journal as the seventh highest California jury verdict that year.  The case is now pending on appeal before the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento.