Kotler

Defendants Alma Lodge, Sheila Dawn Egan doing business as Alma Lodge, and Mamie Russell doing business as Alma Lodge appeal the judgment entered after jury verdicts for plaintiffs Cathryn Kotler, Jim Holt and Beverly Holt. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the judgment.

Facts and Procedural History

Alma Lodge, located in the Eagle Rock area of Los Angeles, is licensed by the State of California as a residential facility providing board, care and supervision to mentally ill adults. Alma Lodge is owned by Sheila Dawn Egan, but has been run by its administrator, Mamie Russell, since 1978 when Egan became senile. The staff psychiatrist at Alma Lodge was Dr. David Foos.

In August 1994 Rick Mabry (Mabry) and David Holt (Holt) were roommates in unit 14 at Alma Lodge. Holt, age 37, and Mabry, age 26, were both diagnosed as schizophrenics. Unit 14 was one of several second-story units located over a garage. The room was not air-conditioned and did not have a fan. On the evening of August 12, 1994, Mabry returned to Alma Lodge after being hospitalized by Foos for more than three weeks because he had stopped eating.

Also in mid-August 1994 the Los Angeles area was…