I note that this was in a "small claims court."

While the rules differ from one state to another, in most cases lawyers are NOT permitted in small claims court, rules of evidence are largely ignored, and an unassertive person is liable to get "Judge Judy justice." (That's where the main purpose is for the judge to show off that he/she can outshout those bringing the case.)

If this court happened to be one where there is an attempt to reach a "settlement" the lady with the complaint might well have gotten the same result by knocking on the girl's door(s) and asking them to pay her medical bill. They might have been sorry enough to have offered.

- or the judge may just be a (fruit) basket case.

In many places, small claims courts can render a decision but have virtually no authority to subpoena or issue warrents to enforce their rulings. Not really a good place to go for settling anything of real significance, unless all parties can come to an agreement - in which case they probably don't need the court. (One possibly valid reason for going to such a court is if a "judgement" is needed for an insurance claim or for a tax writoff or something similar.)

John