911 Emergency Services, Inc., Dba American Medical Response of Sacramento Valley, a California Corporation v. Sacramento Regional Fire/ems Communications Center, a Local Public Entity Sacramento County Fire Protection District, a Local Public Entity Courtland Fire Protection District, a Local Public Entity Fair Oaks Fire Protection District, a Local Public Entity, and City of Sacramento, a Local Public Entity
Docket: 95-15224
Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; May 23, 1995; Federal Appellate Court
911 Emergency Services, Inc. (AMR) appealed the denial of its motion for a preliminary injunction against the City of Sacramento in the Ninth Circuit Court. The court affirmed the district court's decision, emphasizing that the denial of a preliminary injunction can only be reversed if there was an abuse of discretion, an erroneous legal standard, or clearly erroneous factual findings. The district court was found to have applied the correct legal standard and determined that AMR did not meet the necessary criteria for the injunction. The ruling highlighted the potential applicability of Parker state action immunity, which can serve as a complete defense against antitrust claims. California Health and Safety Code Section 1797.201 allows cities that were providing prehospital emergency services before June 1, 1980, to continue administering those services, which supports the argument that the California legislature intended to regulate rather than promote competition in the emergency ambulance services market. Ultimately, the district court concluded that the balance of hardships did not favor AMR sufficiently to justify the injunction. The court's decision was affirmed, and this memorandum is not intended for publication, nor can it be cited in future cases except under specific legal doctrines.