Dameron Hospital Assn. v. AAA Northern Cal. etc.

FACTS AND HISTORY OF THE PROCEEDINGS

General Factual Background

O.N., P.F., Stephen L., R.D., and D.W. were each in separate vehicle accidents. All of the patients were treated for injuries at Dameron following their accidents. At the time of the patients’ respective accidents and treatment at Dameron, they were covered by CSAA automobile insurance policies that included UM coverage and/or MP coverage. CSAA’s policies described its MP coverage as follows: “We will pay reasonable expenses incurred within one year from the date of accident by an insured person who sustains bodily injury as a result of an accident covered under this Part for necessary medical, surgical, X-ray, and dental treatment, including prosthetic devices, eyeglasses, and hearing aids and necessary ambulance, hospital, professional nursing, and funeral costs.” It indicated, with respect to MP benefits, “[w]e may pay the insured person or the person(s) providing the necessary services, or the person(s) responsible for payment of expenses incurred under this Part, as we deem appropriate.” CSAA described its UM coverage for bodily injury as follows: “COVERAGE D1 - UNINSURED MOTORISTS BODILY INJURY COVERAGE [¶] We…