Covarrubias
Medical Legal Consulting Services, Inc. v. Linda Covarrubias
Opinion
Opinion
Turner, J.
I. Introduction
Medical Legal Consulting Services, Inc. (MLCS), a corporation headquartered in Maryland, appeals from that part of an order of the Los Angeles Superior Court refusing to enforce a Maryland judgment against a minor’s parents acting as guardians ad litem who resided in California. Because we are required by the full faith and credit clause of the United States Constitution (U.S. Const., art. IV, § 1) to uphold the Maryland judgment, the order under review is reversed insofar as it refuses to enforce the Maryland court’s judgment against the minor’s guardians.
II. Procedural and Factual Matters
On May 4, 1983, Jason Lugo (the minor), through his parents Linda Covarrubias (Covarrubias) and Phillip Lugo (Lugo), who were appointed by the Los Angeles Superior Court as guardians ad litem, filed suit for medical malpractice against White Memorial Hospital and several physicians. In order to assist their attorney in preparing what was a complex medical malpractice case, Covarrubias and Lugo entered into an agreement with MLCS to provide legal advice in connection with the pending Los Angeles Superior Court case. Under the terms of the contract, MLCS was obligated…