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Teri Figueroa
San Diego, California | A San Diego jury has ordered the author of the bestselling pH Miracle books to pay $ US105 million ($ 146 million) to a cancer patient who said the author is a doctor and counselor for traditional medical treatment.
The award – more than double what the woman has sought – Robert Oldham Young, a doctor of the law, with a doctor.
Young – who on Friday called the "fraud" – has written several books, including the bestselling The pH Miracle: Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health. First published in 2002, the book has been translated into several languages.
"It's totally outrageous," said Young of the verdict on Friday. "It's one-tenth of a billion."
Young's work – and treatments provided at his Valley Ranch Center – were based on the theory that the acidity in the body is the cause of disease, and that is an alkaline diet is the answer.
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In 2015, Dawn Kali patient cancer sued Young in San Diego Superior Court alleging negligence and fraud. She said that she would like to know more about chemotherapy and traditional therapy.
Patrick Swan, one of Kali's attorneys, said his 45-year-old client's oncologist said Kali has about three or four years to live. She now has stage 4 cancer.
The civil trial in San Diego Superior Court lasted about seven days, with deliberations lasting less than half a day. The verdict came back on Wednesday.
The $ US105 million award includes nearly $ US90 million for pain and suffering, and $ US15 million as punitive damages.
Swan said Kali feels "vindicated" by the verdict.
"The jury listened carefully and understood the gravity of the evidence, and rendered a verdict that was commensurate with the suffering Ms Kali suffered, and will suffer," Swan said.
He also said he hopes the verdict "will have an effect on the" miracle, cure-all cancer industry ".
Young's attorney, Conrad Joyner, said his client believes that his views have been suppressed because they are not in line with the medical establishment.
"No matter if you believe in the pH Miracle or disbelieve it, it's clear that Robert believes it," Joyner said. "He sincerely believes what he is doing."
He also said that they have been working for young people.
Intravenous fluids mixed with baking soda
Young did not have a civil attorney during much of the case. Joyner was successful just a few months ago as it neared trial.
Joyner said he sees the box as "ripe for appeal".
"Joyner said," I have never heard of a jury case. "I wonder how much thought they really put into it."
Young said there was "a tremendous amount of evidence" that he was not allowed to present to the jury. He said he would appeal.
The year before Kali sued Young, he landed in criminal court after his arrest in January 2014.
During the criminal trial, Deputy District Attorney Gina Darvas painted Young as a charlatan who made money peddling pseudoscience to desperate, dying people.
She argued that Young's degrees came from a unaccredited "diploma mill" where Young went from a bachelor's degree to a doctorate in about 8 months in 1995.
The case in question is one of the most controversial cases in the history of the patient, who in particular cases were given intravenous fluids mixed with baking soda for $ US500 each.
Young's criminal defense attorney argued that his client was under attack for espousing alternatives to traditional medicine. He said he was not a doctor, but rather a naturopathic practitioner.
In early 2016 – after weeks of trial – in North County jury found Young guilty of two counts of practicing medicine without a license. The panel is deadlocked on several remaining changes.
Facing retrial, Young struck a deal that was an end to the criminal case. He spent several months in jail as part of his sentence.
As part of the deal, the prosecutor insisted on a specific condition: Young medical practitioner, medical or naturopathic doctor or trained scientist. He did so in short.
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