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Rite Aid Wins Wrongful Rx Suit

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A 56-year-old Los Angeles man who sued Rite Aid for $1.7 million, claiming he developed a life-threatening condition when he was given someone else's prescriptions, lost his case Thursday.

Lieutenant Taylor, who says he is illiterate, sued the drugstore chain in November 2009, alleging he was given drugs at an Inglewood Rite Aid in December 2008 meant for Lennette Taylor.

Taylor's attorney, Alvin L. Pittman, said that as a result, his client needs a kidney transplant that costs about $450,000.

But Rite-Aid attorney Kevin T. Dunbar told jurors there was no evidence of wrongdoing by the pharmacist.

When Taylor picked up the prescriptions in December 2008, Dunbar said, the pharmacist repeatedly asked if he was picking up drugs for Lennette Taylor, and Lieutenant Taylor said yes.

A Los Angeles Superior Court jury deliberated for part of Wednesday afternoon and this morning before rejecting the malpractice case.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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