Zulli

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

At the end of her life, 81-year-old Sylvia Zulli suffered from heart failure, vascular strokes, and pancreatic cancer with liver and lung metastases.2 During March through May 13, 2010, she was admitted to Los Robles Hospital, Simi Valley Hospital, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center ("Cedars-Sinai"), and was treated by many physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals. Balfe was one of Sylvia's treating physicians during her hospitalization at Cedars-Sinai.

1 All further statutory references are to the Code of Civil Procedure. 2 We shall refer to the parties as "Brian" and "Sylvia," not from disrespect, but to ease the reader's task. On August 12, 2011, Brian filed a complaint in propria persona against Balfe and others regarding Sylvia's allegedly negligent medical treatment. He later filed a first amended complaint, to which Balfe demurred. The trial court sustained the demurrer and permitted Brian leave to amend the first amended complaint. On March 16, 2012, Brian filed a 166-page second amended complaint alleging causes of action for elder abuse and neglect, gross negligence, failure to properly diagnose and properly treat,…