Mother Of Child Legally Declared Dead Gets Chance To Prove Daughter Is Alive
Jahi McMath's family has filed a lawsuit against UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and the doctor who performed a complicated tonsil surgery on the 13-year-old girl in December 2013. If the court rules Jahi is alive, the family could sue her surgeon and hospital for millions of dollars.
Mercury News:
Jahi McMath: Court Says Family Can Try To Prove She's Alive
Jahi McMath's family cleared another important hurdle in its legal battle when a state appellate court ruled that the child's mother could try to prove the girl is alive. In a brief First Appellate Court ruling Tuesday, the court denied appeals by UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and Dr. Frederick Rosen that claimed Jahi was declared legally dead in January 2014 and therefore should be recognized as deceased in the civil trial. "Because the trial court found the record at the pleading stage was inadequate (to determine Jahi's death) and 'may require a more developed factual record,' we conclude, under these circumstances, that this matter should not be resolved at the pleading stage," the court ordered. (Gafni, 7/13)
In other health news from across the state —
Sacramento Bee:
More Aerial Spraying Contemplated Due To West Nile Virus Activity
The risk of West Nile virus in Sacramento and Yolo counties remains high as more mosquitoes test positive for the virus, officials say. ... Specific areas of concern, where much of the West Nile virus activity is concentrated, include North Highlands, Carmichael, Elk Grove and Fair Oaks. Goodman said the district is closely monitoring those areas to determine the best plan of action. (Locke, 7/13)
Marin Independent Journal:
Bids For Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Barrier Come In Way Over Projections
A potential major stumbling block has developed for the Golden Gate Bridge suicide barrier project now that a low bid for the work has come in almost double the construction cost estimate. The bridge district opened two bids for the work at its board meeting Tuesday. The low bid came in at $142 million from the Oakland-based Shimmick/Danny's Joint Venture. (Prado, 7/12)
Mercury News:
San Jose Nonprofit's Wig Bank Offers New 'Dos To Cancer Patients
[After] Nine months of chemotherapy [Alicia Owen is] cancer-free but as the treatment is prone to do, it aggressively attacked the long hair she'd sported since a teenager. ... That's where the Wig Bank at Cancer CAREpoint came in. The nonprofit supplies no-cost 'dos to folks like Owen who could use some fake follicles. It's a big deal for those going through treatment, said Carleen Carver, a volunteer at the center on the Good Samaritan Hospital campus in South San Jose, which in addition to the wig program offers services such as counseling, nutrition programs, meditation and massage for those coping with cancer. (Kurhi, 7/14)
Los Angeles Times:
Police Use Pepper Spray And Taser To Subdue Combative Teen; Mother Says She Told Officer Her Son Has Autism
Police used pepper spray and a Taser on a 16-year-old boy who became combative, punching an officer's head and body, during a traffic stop Friday, authorities said. When reached Wednesday evening, the boy’s mother said through tears that she repeatedly warned the officer that her son was autistic while apologizing for his unresponsiveness. (Tchekmedyian, 7/13)