A California woman says she was stunned to find a nearly $8,000 parking fee waiting for her after spending just 45 minutes at a hospital.
On Friday, July 25, Cate Daniels visited Glendale Memorial Hospital for a medical appointment — only to discover a $7,829 charge when she attempted to leave the lot, according to local outlets KCAL and KABC.
Daniels told KCAL that her ticket incorrectly claimed she had been parked since July 3, 2022, rather than under an hour.
When she asked an attendant for help, she says she was told she’d been in the lot for three weeks. Daniels initially had to pay the fee before later receiving a refund.
The garage operator, Parking Company of America, acknowledged the mistake. Hospital officials said the astronomical charge was caused by a computer glitch, KCAL reported.
“On Monday, we were made aware of a billing error by the parking company that resulted in an overcharge for one guest,” a hospital spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement. “Once notified, the parking company promptly acknowledged the mistake and began processing a refund.”
The spokesperson added that the hospital is “committed to ensuring a positive experience for everyone who comes to our facility.”
Parking Company of America did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Almost a week later, on Thursday, July 31, Daniels received a check from the company covering the full amount, according to KABC.
For Daniels, the ordeal carried extra weight. About a year ago, her husband died of cancer.
“I remember what it feels like to be in this state of crisis with health and with my husband,” she told the outlet. “Nobody needs something like that to have to contend with in the midst of all of that.”
