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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- When it comes to legal action against the city of Colorado Springs there's a lot of paperwork to go through. There are more than 300 pages of litigation documents from the past year that covers November of 2009 to November of 2010.  Some of the larger payouts include acquiring property by eminent domain but we're focusing on suits. Two of the top three cases against the city refer to Memorial Health Systems.

"I think there are times when people need to be held accountable, but I also think we need to study what is really there," Valerie Donley, a Colorado Springs resident, said.

In Jon A. Dietrich v. Memorial Health Systems the plaintiff alleges patient Christine Dietrich experienced respiratory arrest due to excessive medication during an elective surgery.  The case was settled for $1.375 million. But it's not the only case involving Memorial Health Systems.

In Jesus O. Flores and Marisela Rios v. Memorial Health Systems the minor plaintiff, who's name we're not disclosing, underwent a surgery for kidney removal. Flores and Rios, on behalf of the plaintiff, claim as a result of the surgery the minor plaintiff went into complete renal failure and required dialysis. Plaintiffs allege the hospital failed to provide them with a consent form in their primary language, not validating that the consent form was properly filled out, not providing the plaintiffs with translator services, and not confirming that the plaintiffs understood the surgery and associated risks. They also allege the hospital violated their civil rights. The case was settled for $1 million.

"The lawyers and insurance companies clean up. The patient doesn't do well, the doctor doesn't do well, so what's the point?" Jerry Robinson, a Colorado Springs resident, said.

The third payout involves Schmidt Construction Company v. Lawrence Construction and the city of Colorado Springs. The plaintiff a subcontractor to Lawrence Construction alleges there has been a breach of contract and that Lawrence has failed to pay the owed amount. The City is holder of material and labor payments on the bond project. The case went to trial and judgment was entered for Schmidt Construction against the City for $194,094.32 and entered for Lawrence Construction in $376,026.00. 

Colorado Springs City Attorney and communications department commented on these lawsuits. This is part of their response:

"The City Attorney (nor her staff) does not discuss lawsuits or give legal insight accept to the members of City Council who have appointed her. In many cases stipulations may limit what can be discussed. In any case we won't be able to offer an interview with a City attorney about these issues."

Memorial Health Systems had this to say:

"Medical legal cases are usually very complex, and in these cases we believed it was in the best interest of the parties to settle. Legal matters aside, there are no winners when it comes to bad outcomes. This reminds us of why our mission to provide highest quality health care is at the heart of everything we do."