Testimony Continues In John Ritter Wrongful Death Trial

Access Hollywood - March 4, 2008 12:24 AM PST

John Ritter's widow, Amy Yasbeck, feels her husband didn't have to die and faults his doctors for a misdiagnosis.

On Monday, Yasbeck returned to court to finish her emotional testimony in the wrongful death lawsuit she filed against two of Ritter's doctors for $67 million.

[ John Ritter's 'Simple' Bloopers - Watch the Video ]

"There were opportunities to save John," Yasbeck said. "John didn't have to die."

Last Thursday, the voice of the late actor echoed through the courtroom as Yasbeck played a message Ritter left on the day he passed away.

[ All Access: John Ritter ]

"Hi honey, this is John. I'm in my dressing room and not feeling very well," Ritter said on the message. "I think I have food poisoning… They're going to call a doctor to look at me."

During an interview with the "Today" show's Meredith Vieira last month, Yasbeck said that when she got to the hospital, there was no "race against time" to save John, as his doctors have claimed.

"I was there. John was talking and sitting up and laughing, throwing up a little bit, and trying to make me feel better," Yasbeck told Vieira.

It was then that Ritter was wheeled away.

"I said, 'I love you' and he [held up his hand in an 'I Love You' sign]. And that was the last time I saw him," she added.

Ritter was treated for a heart attack, but died of a torn aorta. He died the same day as their daughter, Stella, turned five.

"And I told it to Stella, which nobody ever wants to do," an emotional Yasbeck concluded.

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comments 1-10 of 15  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • Laura
    I just love when people say 'It's not about the money' as they're suing for 63 million dollars. I'd heard something about that in another article. The whole suing people just makes me ill. Oh, and not to mention the fact that somewhere around 60% of patients w/ torn aortas die from it, and 25% of those surviving die w/in 3 years. It's extremely hard
    report abuseposted September 18, 2008 1:54 AM PDT
  • Andrea G
    i was so heart broken over his death and still am ,its not fair he died ,my heart goes towards his family ,doctors should have been more careful in this case,he will be love and missed alot i will never forget him ,miss you john ritter ,its a very sad case bye
    report abuseposted June 9, 2008 9:35 PM PDT
  • Andrea G
    i was so heart broken over his death and still am ,its not fair he died ,my heart goes towards his family ,doctors should have been more careful in this case,he will be love and missed alot i will never forget him ,miss you john ritter ,its a very sad case bye
    report abuseposted June 9, 2008 9:35 PM PDT
  • Bev
    I MISS JOHN RITTER! I ALWAYS LOVED WATCHING HIM. WHEVEVER I WOULD HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT HIM I PERKED UP. HE WAS A HILARIOUS GUY! AND A TOP NOTCH PERSON! I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN THE MONEY AND EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH WHAT HAPPENED TO JOHN THAT DAY AT THE HOSPITAL (DOCTORS) SHOULD HAVE BEEN FIRED. MISTAKES LIKE THAT WITH ANYONE SHOULD NOT HAPPEN! DOCTORS CAN BE LAZY AND SHOULDN'T BE!
    report abuseposted March 29, 2008 3:12 PM PDT
  • Delinda C
    I can tell you, I lost a father and yes, it was proved to be very negligent on two doctors. Hospital records and doctor records did not match. It is very hard to get a malpractice strike on a doctors record, even with proven negligence, my stepmother received lots of cash, I would have much rather seen the doctor punished by some sort of comm service or something also.
    report abuseposted March 15, 2008 12:45 AM PDT
  • Delinda C
    I don't believe that money was the factor in this case. It's the principal. I work in the healthcare Industry and know thingslike this happen, doctors are human and they screw up. I don't know what the logistics are, however, I will tell you that a doctor is not going to just come forward & say I screwed up. I do believe that he should have been treated expeditio
    report abuseposted March 15, 2008 12:43 AM PDT
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    report abuseposted March 13, 2008 3:36 AM PDT
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    report abuseposted March 13, 2008 3:35 AM PDT
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    report abuseposted March 13, 2008 2:01 AM PDT
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    report abuseposted March 13, 2008 2:01 AM PDT
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