KEY POINTS:
Two doctors were not negligent in the diagnosis and treatment of John Ritter, who died from a torn aorta in 2003, a jury found in a wrongful death lawsuit by the actor's widow and children.
The lawsuit claimed that a radiologist failed to spot a purported enlargement of the aorta in a body scan conducted two years before Ritter's death and that there was malpractice by the cardiologist summoned to treat the actor at the medical centre where he was diagnosed with a heart attack.
Lawyers for Ritter's widow, Amy Yasbeck, and children claimed Ritter's death resulted in a loss of as much as US$67 million ($83 million) in future earnings. Attorneys said that because Ritter would have had expenses such as paying an agent and staff, they were actually seeking about $US43 million in damages for the family.
Among the jury's findings was that Ritter was advised by the radiologist after the body scan to follow up with treatment by a physician and that the actor did not do so. The radiologist testified he advised Ritter he had calcification in three coronary arteries and should consult other doctors.
