L.A. Law (TV Series)

Blood, Sweat and Fears (1990)

Jimmy Smits: Victor Sifuentes

Quotes 

• Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Proceeding along, Parral vs. Dayan. Victor?

  Victor Sifuentes : Yes. The hospital has settled out, leaving just the good doctor. We've offered 40,000, but they've rejected.

  Jonathan Rollins : Isn't 40,000 a little low for wrongful death?

  Victor Sifuentes : Well, the victim was terminal anyway, Jonathan, so the damage claims a little weak. Start today.

  Douglas Brackman, Jr. : Keep us surprised. People vs. Earl Williams. Uno más.

  Michael Kuzak : Motion to dismissed Wednesday.

  Leland McKenzie : Any chance of getting this kicked?

  Michael Kuzak : Slim, but Pinto has been seen in the PI's, I'm working with expect to find him.

  Leland McKenzie : And then?

  Michael Kuzak : I questioned him. Which reminds me, if I did find the guy, and I need somebody to be there with me when I talk to him. I may need an impeachment witness down the road.

  [Victor can't. He got his own case. Jonathan will help] 

  Jonathan Rollins : I can do it.

  Michael Kuzak : Good.

• Victor Sifuentes : How did your husband contract AIDs, ma'am?

  Susan Parral : He had an accident at work about 6 years ago, and he received a blood transfusion that was contaminated.

  Victor Sifuentes : And he was being treated for this disease.

  Susan Parral : He was getting treatment. It wasn't effective.

  Victor Sifuentes : Your husband was dying.

  Susan Parral : Yes, he was.

  Victor Sifuentes : Um... I'm sorry, ma'am, but could you tell us how long the doctors had given him to live?

  Susan Parral : They said he probably wouldn't make it through the summer.

  Victor Sifuentes : And was your husband employed at the time of his death?

  Susan Parral : No. He hadn't worked since last October.

  Victor Sifuentes : Thank you, ma'am. I have nothing further, Your Honor.

  Susan Parral : [bitterly]  That doesn't mean he should be left to just die. Like he didn't matter.

  Victor Sifuentes : Thank you, ma'am, there's no question before you.

• Victor Sifuentes : Okay, 75,000.

  Mark Gilliam : Not a chance.

  Victor Sifuentes : Come on, Mark, you can't show damages here. You had a 3 month life expectancy and no lost income. I'm throwing you a bone.

  Mark Gilliam : We're not going for wrongful death here, Victor, I'm going for hedonics. Loss of enjoyment of life.

  Victor Sifuentes : How much enjoyment did he have coming to him, Mark? He was a month away from his organs beginning to shut down. If anything, this thing spared him tremendous suffering.

  Mark Gilliam : Your guy cost Warren Parral the rest of his life. I'm not forgiving that for 75 grand. Sorry.

  Victor Sifuentes : You going to take this offer to your client, Mark?

  Mark Gilliam : Yes, Victor, I'll tell her, and I'll tell her not to accept it.

  Victor Sifuentes : You told her everything?

  Mark Gilliam : Meaning what? Have I told her that I have AIDs?

  Victor Sifuentes : Look, Mark, I'm sorry, I just don't want to see your judgment here clouded by your own personal situation.

  Mark Gilliam : She knows about my situation, Victor. And she knows me to be an honest attorney who would never compromise his client's interest just to make a point, even if I'm dying.

  Victor Sifuentes : I'm sorry, Mark, that was out of line.

  Mark Gilliam : Your offer is rejected.

• Victor Sifuentes : And so you were the first doctor to examine this patient?

  Dr. Michael Dayan : Yes. Uh, I don't usually work in the ER, but I was on call that night and through a series of other emergencies, I happen to be there when they brought Mr. Parral in.

  Victor Sifuentes : And you diagnosed Mr. Parral having a ruptured spleen?

  Dr. Michael Dayan : It wasn't ruptured, but the cat scan revealed a severe contusion and a lot of blood in the abdomen, that's why I scheduled surgery.

  Victor Sifuentes : And then you decided not to operate, is that right?

  Dr. Michael Dayan : Yes, I had noticed during the initial examination that he was somewhat emaciated and then during prep, I saw the purple lesions on his skin and the advanced yeast infection in his mouth. I knew then that he had AIDS.

  Victor Sifuentes : And that is why you declined to operate?

  Dr. Michael Dayan : Yes, sir. I will treat AIDS patients. But I will not perform surgery.

  Victor Sifuentes : Why not, Doctor?

  Dr. Michael Dayan : Because I would be exposing myself and my team to an infectious disease that is almost always fatal.

  Victor Sifuentes : But can't you wear protective clothing?

  Dr. Michael Dayan : It's very common for surgeons to get cuts and Nick's on their hands while they're performing the procedure.

  Victor Sifuentes : Dr. Dayan, when this patient went into shock, you knew that if you didn't operate right away, he was going to die?

  Dr. Michael Dayan : Yes. And every single day, I'm haunted by the memory of watching him die. I stood there and watched it, but I also knew given his weakened immune system, that there was a chance that he wouldn't survive the procedure, and when I considered that along with the fact that it's a bloody operation and that I would be risking my own life as well. I made my decision. How am I conflicted about this? Absolutely. Was I wrong? I don't think so.

  Victor Sifuentes : Thank you, Doctor. Nothing further.

• Victor Sifuentes : His conduct wasn't an affront to every doctor, wasn't it?

  Dr. John Petit : To every responsible doctor, I believe it was.

  Victor Sifuentes : Well, you know I'm not sure what doctors you've been talking to. Because a recent survey of medical school graduates found that 25% do not want to treat AIDS patients.

  Dr. John Petit : Well, that's a bigotry.

  Victor Sifuentes : Maybe so, but it is shared by a big part of your profession, sir.

  Dr. John Petit : I don't care how widespread the paranoia is it's wrong. The AMA has an ethical code of conduct, counselor. He violated.

  Victor Sifuentes : Did the AMA take any action against my client as a result of his conduct?

  Dr. John Petit : The AMA has pronounced that a doctor cannot refuse to treat someone because he has AIDS.

  Victor Sifuentes : Did they take any action against my client, sir?

  Dr. John Petit : They should have.

  Victor Sifuentes : But they didn't?

  Dr. John Petit : Maybe because they're more concerned with protecting their own than in weeding out negligent...

  Victor Sifuentes : Wait a second. A minute ago, you were exalting the AMA as the example that he should live up to now you're condemning it?

  Dr. John Petit : If anything, I'm just condemning the fact they fail to discipline him.

  Victor Sifuentes : The fact is that nobody has disciplined him. Not the AMA, not the hospital that he works at...

  Dr. John Petit : Well, I think that's disgraceful.

  Victor Sifuentes : Yes, sir. You think it's disgraceful, but you do not speak for the medical community here, do you?

  Dr. John Petit : I don't care what other doctors...

  Victor Sifuentes : Many doctors would do exactly what my client did under the circumstances.

  Dr. John Petit : And that's what scares me the most.

  Victor Sifuentes : Thank you, Dr. Petit. Nothing further.