Craven

Plaintiff appeals from an order and an amended order “periodicizing judgment” in her medical malpractice action against defendants.

In plaintiff’s action against defendants, various health care providers, the jury rendered a special verdict in her favor, finding that she had sustained the following damages; medical expenses, $118,434.11; future medical expenses, $1.5 million; general damages, $100,000. The trial court reduced the total award by $600,000, the amount of a settlement between plaintiff and City of Richmond, and ordered entry of judgment in favor of plaintiff and against defendants in the amount of $1,118,434.11. Judgment was entered on March 11, 1981; notice of entry of judgment was filed on March 19.

On May 5, almost two months later, defendants filed a request that the court enter a judgment ordering that future damages be paid by periodic payments pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 667.7. On September 10, after a hearing, the trial court issued an order “periodicizing judgment,” ordering payment of $600,000 over a period of nine and a half years, with the balance of the judgment to be paid on or before October 1, 1981. That order was amended by…