It is also worth noting that situations similar to those described in this medical malpractice case could just as easily occur at any of the healthcare facilities in the area, such as Kaiser Permanente, U.C. Davis Medical Center, Mercy, or Sutter.
Another way of putting the defense's self consumption reduction would be to state the defense was asking a jury to speculate about an injured plaintiff's prospective personal living expenses during the lost years period. (Id.) This the Court of Appeals refused to do. For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
And the Court of Appeal had a second reason to reject the "self consumption" reduction: Second, and equally troubling, [Defendant] does not identify any case which applies a personal consumption or living expense deduction in this context. (Id. at p. 176.) In other words, the defense has no case authority. The defense argued such a deduction is made in wrongful death cases. But again, the Court of Appeal rejected the argument. The Court acknowledged that in wrongful death actions, an acceptable way to show how much money would have been available for the support of a decedent's wife and children is to show how much money would have been earned during the remainder of his life, and to deduct from that amount his personal maintenance expense and the amount he would have spent on other things. (Id. at p. 176.)
However - - By contrast, in a personal injury action where lost years damages are recoverable, the measure of damages is not lost support but rather lost earnings during the period the plaintiff would have lived if not for the injury. (Fein. supra, 38 Cal.3d at p. 153. Speculating as to how the injured party may have spend those future earnings if not for defendant's tortuous conduct is a very different exercise than permitting a wrongful death plaintiff to prove damages for lost support by accounting for his or her supporter's other expenses. (Overly, supra, 74 Cal.App.4th at p. 176.)
]]> Consequently, California does not recognize the defense's self consumption argument.And even before the Overly decision, the article Lost Years, supra 50 Cal. L. Rev. 598, cited by the Fein court noted the following: True it is that at least one court has curtly dismissed this objection on the ground that it was none of the defendant's business how the plaintiff proposed to spend his damages. (Id. at 603 & fn.22.) ( The final inquiry as to the earning capacity of a man is not what he is capable of saving but what he is capable of earning ). The article goes on to add that:
"[T]his, however, is but a peripheral objection [the defense self consumption argument] to the widespread practice of awarding the plaintiff full compensation for his lost years, and one which a slight adjustment can readily cure .... [W]e have long been inured to the admittedly unattractive notion that it is less expensive to kill than to maim." (Id. at 604.) (See Part 8 of 8.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
]]>It is also worth noting that situations similar to those described in this medical malpractice case could just as easily occur at any of the healthcare facilities in the area, such as Kaiser Permanente, U.C. Davis Medical Center, Mercy, or Sutter.
THE SUPREME COURT REFUSED TO APPLY PERIODIC PAYMENTS BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF "LOST YEARS"
The Fein Court found that the periodic payments of Code of Civil Procedure section 667.7 applied to medical negligence actions and found the application of periodic payments to be mandatory. However, the Supreme Court refused to apply periodic payments to lost years. For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
Although in general lost earnings are a type of future damage particularly suitable to a periodic payment judgment, this case presents a somewhat unusual situation because the damages awarded are solely attributable to the earnings of plaintiff's lost years. If the trial court had ordered such damages paid periodically over the time period when the loss was expected to be incurred, the damages would have been paid in their entirety after plaintiff's expected death, and thus-if the life expectancy predictions were accurate-plaintiff would not have received any of this element of damages. (Fein v. Permanente Medical Group, supra, 38 Cal.3d at 156.)
Therefore, it is clear from the language of Fein that the purpose of "lost years" damages is make sure that the plaintiff receives all of their lost future earnings in a lump sum during their lifetime. (Accord Schiembeck v. Haight (1992) 869 Cal.App.4th 869, 778.)
]]> The defense of course was not without response to the "lost years" theory of damages. The defendant in Fein argued that the jury should have been instructed to deduct from plaintiff's prospective gross earnings of the lost years, the saved cost of necessities that plaintiff would not incur[red] based on his diminished life expectancy. (Id. at 154 (citing Fleming, The Lost Years: A Problem in the Computation and Distribution of Damages (1962) 50 Cal.L.Rev. 598, 603 & fn. 23).)However, while the court was willing to strike out boldly and find an area in which the periodic payment judgment statute would not apply, the court was unwilling to place any limitations upon the concept of lost years in spite of defendants' arguments. The court expressly stated it would not consider the defendants' arguments until a later time, based on the fact that defendants had presented no evidence in order to warrant an such instruction to the jury. (Fein, supra 38 Cal.3d at 154, 156-57.) See discussion below on the issue of California's rejection of the saved costs of necessities in August 1999. (See Part 5 of 8.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
]]>It is also worth noting that situations similar to those described in this medical malpractice case could just as easily occur at any of the healthcare facilities in the area, such as Kaiser Permanente, U.C. Davis Medical Center, Mercy, or Sutter.
THE MINOR PLAINTIFF IS ENTITLED TO A "LOST YEARS" JURY INSTRUCTION
The California Supreme Court specifically allows for a lost years instruction:
Under the prevailing American rule, a tort victim suing for damages for permanent injuries is permitted to base his recovery on his prospective earnings for the balance of his life expectancy at the time of his injury undiminished by any shortening of that expectancy as a result of the injury. ... Although, to our knowledge, the lost years issue has not been previously decided in California, recovery of such damages is consistent with the general rule permitting an award based on the loss of future earnings a plaintiff is likely to suffer because of inability to work for as long a period of time in the future as he could have done had not sustained the accident. (Emphasis in original and added.) (Fein v. Permanente Medical Group (1985) 38 Cal.3d 137, 153.)
Consequently, the minor plaintiff will be asking the court to issue an instruction on lost years damages. For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
And in August 1999, the First District discussed the latest defense attack on the lost years damage award in Overly v. Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th 164, 175. In Overly, Plaintiff sued for personal injury for exposure to asbestos - and Plaintiff claimed the loss of future economic benefits that [Plaintiff] would have earned during the period by which his life expectancy was shortened, i.e., 'lost years' damages, in the form of pension, social security and household services' benefits. (Id. at p. 171.)
]]> The First District rejected the defense attacks. The defense in Overly argued the "lost years" damages had not yet accrued. (Id.) The First District rejected the argument because the Supreme Court has decisively ruled on the issue and allowed the "lost years" damages:The right to recover lost years damages is settled - settled by the Supreme Court. (See Part 4 of 8.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
]]>It is also worth noting that situations similar to those described in this medical malpractice case could just as easily occur at any of the healthcare facilities in the area, such as Kaiser Permanente, U.C. Davis Medical Center, Mercy, or Sutter.
The later case of Hurlbut has affirmed that lost years are not subject to periodic payments. Later authority has affirmed that the lost years award is an exception to the rule of periodic payments under Civil Procedure section 667.7 (Hurlbut v. Sonora Community Hospital (1989) 207 Cal. App.3d 388.) For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
California has now rejected the defense argument of saved costs of necessities. The "lost years" should not be reduced by the "saved cost of necessities." Defense counsel may argue that the "lost years" award should be reduced by the amount saved because of a reduced life expectancy. The First District has now held the majority view is that no deduction is made for the injured part's expected living expenses during the lost years. (Overly, supra, 74 Cal.App.4th at p. 175.) No court has endorsed the approach that would deny lost years damages because it is the widespread practice to award the plaintiff full compensation for his lost years damages (Fleming, The Lost Years: A Problem in the Computation and Distribution of Damages (1962) 50 Cal.L.Rev. 598). (See Part 3 of 8.)
]]> For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.]]>It is also worth noting that situations similar to those described in this medical malpractice case could just as easily occur at any of the healthcare facilities in the area, such as Kaiser Permanente, U.C. Davis Medical Center, Mercy, or Sutter.
PLAINTIFFS' TRIAL BRIEF ON "LOST YEARS" AND "SAVED COST OF NECESSITIES"
MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES
INTRODUCTION
The medical malpractice case at issue involves severe and permanent neurological injuries suffered by minor Owen Smith, at or around the time of his birth on February 21, 2000.
There will be expert testimony that the minor will never be employed. Because the minor will not be able to work, she is entitled to damages described as lost years - i.e. the time by which a plaintiff's work life expectancy is shortened because of the injury. For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
The minor is entitled to a "lost years" jury instruction. The Supreme Court specifically addressed the issue of "lost years”; where a plaintiff's work life expectancy is shortened, this loss is compensable (Fein v. Permanente Medical Group (1985) 38 Cal.3d 137). And in August 1999, the First District reaffirmed the "lost years" damage award: Fein expressly recognized a right to recover damages for the loss of prospective earnings during the period of time by which the plaintiff's life expectancy has been diminished. (Overly v. Ingalls Shipbuilding, Inc. (1999) 74 Cal.App.4th 164, 172.)
]]> Any lost years award cannot be subject to periodic payments. Code of Civil Procedure section 667.7 does not apply to a "lost years" award. There are no periodic payments for lost years (Fein v. Permanente Medical Group, supra, 38 Cal.3d 137). (See Part 2 of 8.)For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
]]>(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this medical malpractice/personal injury case and its proceedings.)
Expert Review of the Instant Case Establishes that the Conduct of Dr. Lee Did Not Cause Plaintiff's Alleged Injuries.
In a personal injury action, causation must be proven within a reasonable medical probability based on competent expert testimony. Mere possibility alone is insufficient to establish a prima facie case. Jones v. Ortho Pharmaceutical Company (1985) 163 Cal.App.3d 396, 402 02 (citations omitted); Dumas v. Conney (1991) 235 Cal.App.3d 1593, 1603. Liability for medical malpractice is predicated upon a proximate causal connection between the negligent conduct and the resulting injury. Budd v. Nixon (1971) 6 Cal.3d 195,200. In Dumas, the court declined to establish a more lenient standard of causation in medical malpractice cases to account for the theory of lost chance:
Relaxing the causation requirement might correct a perceived unfairness to some plaintiff who could prove the possibility of the medical malpractice cause and injury but could not prove the probability of causation, but at the same time could create injustice. Health care providers could find themselves defending cases simply because a patient fails to improve or where serious disease processes are not arrested because another course of action could possibly bring a better result.
]]> In Dr. White's opinion, detailed in his declaration submitted herewith, Dr. Lee did not cause or contribute to Plaintiff's alleged injuries. In the absence of contradictory expert testimony, plaintiff cannot establish a causal link between Dr. Lee's care and plaintiff's alleged injuries. Since plaintiff cannot satisfy the elements essential to the success of his claim against Dr. Lee, summary judgment must be entered in favor of Dr. Lee.For more information you are welcome to contact personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this medical malpractice/personal injury case and its proceedings.)
Additionally, it is well settled that:
California courts have incorporated the expert evidence requirement into their standard for summary judgment in medical malpractice cases. When a defendant moves for summary judgment and supports his motion with expert declarations that his conduct fell within the community standard of care, he is entitled to summary judgment unless the plaintiff comes forward with conflicting expert evidence. Munro v. Regents of the University of California, supra, 215 Cal.App.3d at pp. 984-985 (quoting Hutchinson v. United States (1988) 838 F.2nd 390.) [Emphasis added.]
Expert Review of the Instant Case Establishes that the Conduct of Dr. Lee Was Within the Community Standard of Care.
The instant case is a medical malpractice action involving allegations which are beyond a layman's knowledge. Thus, under Landeros and Munro, whether or not the care ar d treatment rendered by Dr. Lee was within the standard of care is a matter exclusively with: In the province of expert testimony. Therefore, Dr. Lee supports his motion with an expert declaration from Robert White, M.D. establishing that the care and treatment rendered by him was within t he standard of care for a vascular surgeon.
]]> As illustrated by his declaration submitted herewith, Dr. White is licensed to practice medicine in California and is board certified in surgery, thoracic surgery and vascular surgery. Thus, Dr. White is qualified to testify as to the standard of care applicable to a vascular surgeon, and compliance or non-compliance therewith by a vascular surgeon.Based upon his background, training, and expertise in the field of vascular surgery, it is Dr. White's opinion that the care and treatment rendered to Sean Black by Dr. Lee was within the appropriate standard of care for a vascular surgeon. Thus, there is no evidence to support plaintiffs' cause of action against Dr. Lee for medical negligence.
Pursuant to Munro, Dr. Lee should be granted summary judgment as he supported his motion with an uncontradicted expert declaration establishing that the care and treatment provided to plaintiff fell within the community standard of care. Plaintiff cannot establish Dr. Lee's breach of the standard of care. (See Part 8 of 8.)
For more information you are welcome to contact personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this medical malpractice/personal injury case and its proceedings.)
UNCONTRADICTED EXPERT TESTIMONY ESTABLISHES THAT THE CARE AND TREATMENT RENDERED BY DR. LEE WAS WITHIN THE STANDARD OF CARE AND DID NOT CAUSE PLAINTIFF'S ALLEGED INJURIES
The Accepted Standard of Care in Medical Malpractice Actions Must Be Established By Qualified Experts.
In a medical malpractice action based on professional negligence, a plaint must establish the duty of the professional to use such skill, prudence, and diligence as other members of the profession commonly possess and exercise; a breach of that duty; a proximate causal connection between the negligent conduct and the resulting injury; and actual loss or damage resulting from the professional's negligence. Turpin v. Sortini (1982) 31 Cal.3d 220, 229-230. When the defendant is accused of failing to adhere to accepted standards of practice, such standards may be established only by qualified expert testimony. Stephenson v. Kaiser Foundation Hospital (1961) 203 Cal.App.2d 631, 635.
Specifically, the inherent nature of a medical malpractice action, along with the applicable standards of care, involve subject matter that is beyond the competency of laymen to address and therefore, must be addressed by a qualified expert. Landeros v. Flood (1976) 17 Cal.3d 399, 410.
]]> When the matter at issue is within the knowledge of experts only, as in the instant case, and is not a matter of common knowledge, expert testimony is conclusive and cannot be disregarded. Huber, Hunt & Nichols, Inc. v. Moore (1977) 67 Cal.App.3d 278, 313. (See Part 7 of 8.)For more information you are welcome to contact personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this medical malpractice/personal injury case and its proceedings.)
SUMMARY JUDGMENT IS APPROPRIATE WHEN THERE IS NO TRIABLE ISSUE AS TO ANY MATERIAL FACT
California Code of Civil Procedure Section 437(c)(f) provides authority for the grant of summary judgment if a party contends the cause of action (for medical malpractice) has no merit.
The entry of summary judgment is mandatory where the documents disclose no triable issue of material fact. Kraslev v. Superior Court (1980) 101 Cal.App.3d 425, 432. A defendant is entitled to summary judgment where the record establishes, as a matter of law that a cause of action asserted against him cannot prevail. County of Los Angeles v. Security Insurance Comparny of Hartford (1975) 52 Cal.App.3d 808, 816.
A defendant has met his or her burden of showing that a cause of action has no merit if that party has shown that one or more elements of the cause of action cannot be established. (Code Civ. Proc. §437c(o)(2)) Once the defendant has met that burden, the burden shifts to the plaintiff to show that a triable issue of one or more material facts exist is to that cause of action. Munro v. Regents of University of California (1989) 215 Cal.App.3d 977. In Fraser Dame, etc. v. Bacarro Blum, etc. (1977) 70 Cal.App.3d 331, 338, the court stated:
]]> A summary judgment is proper if the action has no merit and there is nc triable issue of fact. [Citations.] If the... motion for summary judgment establishes a complete defense to plaintiffs action, or demonstrates an absence of any essential element of plaintiffs case and the plaintiffs declaration in reply does not show that a triable issue of fact with respect to the defense or an essential element exists, no amount of factual conflicts upon other aspects of the case will effect a result and a motion for summary judgment shall be granted.In this case, plaintiff simply cannot proffer the evidence needed to establish the essential elements of his cause of action for medical negligence/failure to provide informed consent against Dr. Lee. Therefore summary judgment, or in the alternative, summary adjudication, is appropriate. (See Part 6 of 8.)
For more information you are welcome to contact personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this medical malpractice/personal injury case and its proceedings.)
Approximately one year after his discharge, on or about August 31, 2007, plaintiff filed the instant lawsuit for medical negligence and failure to inform against several defendant, including Dr. Lee. Specifically he claims that Dr. Lee assumed responsibility to locate and repair injuries caused by Dr. Green during the laparoscopic cholecystectomy on June 16, 2006, but failed to do so necessitating cardiac resuscitation and subsequent exploratory laparatomy and bowel repair surgeries.
The expert testimony of Dr. White refutes the suggestions that Dr. Lee's treatment of plaintiff fell below the standard of care or that it caused any alleged injuries. Nevertheless, plaintiff has initiated this lawsuit against Dr. Lee, claiming damages according to proof at trial. In order to prevail on his claim for damages against Dr. Lee, he must demonstrate that the care and treatment rendered to him by Dr. Lee fell shy of the applicable standard of care.
Defendant Dr. Lee brings this motion on the following grounds:
1) The cause of action for medical negligence/failure to provide informed c onsent against this moving defendant lacks merit because the care and treatment rendered to Sean Black by vascular surgeon Dr. Lee was within the standard of care at all times.
]]> 2) The cause of action for medical negligence/ failure to provide informed consent against this moving defendant lacks merit because the care and treatment rendered to Sean Black by vascular surgeon Dr. Lee did not cause or contribute to his injuries. (See Part 5 of 8.)For more information you are welcome to contact personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this medical malpractice/personal injury case and its proceedings.)
On June 28, 2006, Dr. Stuart placed a central venous catheter and an arterial catheter in Plaintiffs right groin due to hypotension. A bedside exploratory laparatomy was performed in the ICU by Dr. Green, with the assistance of Dr. Smith. During the procedure a major hemoperitoneum with fresh and active clot, as well as generalized oozing, was observed. Plaintiff was actively bleeding so he was transported to the operating room for another exploratory laparatomy by Green, with the assistance of Dr. Smith and Dr. Lee. A posterior laceration of the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta and an anterior wall laceration directly beneath the first wound of the first common iliac vein were four d. Both lacerations were repaired with sutures. The abdomen was again left open after this procedure.
On June 30, 2006, plaintiff underwent another exploratory laparotomy and washout at the hands of Dr. Green. There was no evidence of infectious collections or intra-loo abscesses and all bowel and viscera were completely viable. On July 3,2006, Dr. Green closed plaintiff's abdomen. Thereafter plaintiff's recovery was pretty uneventful until the time of his discharge on July 21,2006.
]]> He was tolerating a regular diet and seen by physical therapy who cleared him for ambulation. He was also seen at the Lymphedema Clinic for pers stent swelling in the left lower extremity, which had improved remarkably with the application of compression stockings. He was advised to follow up with Dr. Stuart and with the Lymphedema clinic as an outpatient. (See Part 4 of 8.)For more information you are welcome to contact personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this medical malpractice/personal injury case and its proceedings.)
On or about June 19, 2006, plaintiff experienced respiratory distress and underwent a CT pulmonary angiogram which revealed a large right pulmonary arterial embolus. An IVC filter was placed by radiologist Dr. Rich without complications.
On June 24, 2006, plaintiff experienced a profound drop in blood pressure and bright red blood was noted to be coming from his NG tube. He continued to have trouble breathing and a code blue was called. Advanced cardiac life support was started and plaintiff was transfused with fresh-frozen plasma. Dr. Lee was doing rounds of the ICU unit and noted plaintiff was actively bleeding and in shock with critical blood pressure. Dr. Lee placed resuscitation lines in plaintiff's groin, at his bedside. Specifically, he placed a femur arterial line to allow for monitoring of blood pressure, and a femoral venous line to allow for rapid blood infusion.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Sandrina Ward was called to see plaintiff emergently and conducted an upper endoscopy in an attempt to locate the bleeding source. The endoscopy revealed large amounts of clot within the stomach and duodenum, however, no obvious ulcers or source of bleeding could be found. Plaintiff was then taken to the operating room for an exploratory surgery. The surgery was performed by Dr. Green with the assistance of Dr. Lee. It was discovered that plaintiff had a large hemoperitoneum, the majority of which comprised an old clot in the mid portion of his abdomen and pelvis.
]]> There also appeared to be some fresh blood and generalized oozing but no source of active arterial or venous bleeding could be found. The clots were evacuated and it was noted there was an area of fibrinous exudate on the small bowel, which peeled off to reveal a small enteral defect or perforation. The defect was directly opposite and facing a suture used to repair the mesenteric injury incurred on June 16, 2006. The defect was repaired by Dr. Green and Plaintiff's abdomen was left open. The plan was to perform another exploratory laparatomy within 48 hours.Dr. Lee followed up with Plaintiff when performing the ICU round on June 25, 2006. On June 26, 2006, Dr. Green performed a second look laparatomy and closed the abdomen. Plaintiff had improved substantially from a hemodynamic and physiological standpoint. There was no evidence of further bleeding and the enteral closure site was completely intact and sealed. (See Part 3 of 8.)
For more information you are welcome to contact personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
(Please note: the names and locations of all parties have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the participants in this medical malpractice/personal injury case and its proceedings.)
Defendant James Lee, M.D.’s, Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Michael Lee M.D.'s Motion for Summary Judgment, or in the Alternative, Summary Adjudication
STATEMENT OF FACTS AND SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
The series of events that culminated in plaintiff Sean Black's filing of a Complaint for Medical Negligence and Failure To Provide Informed Consent, began on June 16, 2006. On that day plaintiff presented to Universal Surgery Center for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. After insertion of the bladed trocar by surgeon and co-defendant Dr. Green, a pooling of blood was noted in plaintiff's pelvic area. The blood was aspirated and its origin was found to be a tear in the mesentery, possibly caused by insertion of the bladed troca. There appeared to be no active bleeding following aspiration.
Vascular surgeon and co-defendant Dr. Smith was summoned for a vascular consultation. Dr. Smith appeared with his partner in vascular surgery and the moving party herein, Dr. Lee, but found there was no additional bleeding. Thereafter, Dr. Green continued with the procedure and removed the gallbladder without complication. Following its removal, Dr. Smith identified aid repaired a laceration in the left iliac vein. Dr. Green then ran the bowel and noted a very small injury to the mesentery which he repaired.
]]> The abdomen was then closed by Dr. Green and plaintiff was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit at Universal Hospital for observation and postoperative care. Dr. Lee did not assist in any of the procedures employed by either Dr. Smith or Dr. Green. During the course of these procedures, Dr. Lee was on the telephone arranging with the nursing supervisor at Universal for an emergency transport capability with an advanced ambulance to take plaintiff directly from the operating room at Universal Surgery Center to the Intensive Care Unit at Universal Hospital.(See Part 2 of 8.)For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
It is worth noting that situations similar to those described in this case could just as easily occur at any of the healthcare facilities in the area, such as Kaiser, U.C. Davis Medical Center, Mercy, or Sutter.
THE DECLARATION OF RANDALL BROWN, M.D., CLEARLY ESTABLISHES THAT DEFENDANTS WERE NEGLIGENT AND THAT DEFENDANTS' NEGLIGENCE PROXIMATELY CAUSED INJURY TO PLAINTIFF
Even though plaintiff should have no obligation to present any evidence since defendants have failed to carry their initial burden of proof, nevertheless plaintiff submits the declaration of Randall Brown, M.D. Dr. Brown has several specific criticisms of Dr. Lee's level of care and treatment, and he ties these criticisms specifically to the medical history.
First, Dr. Brown has declared that the augmentation surgery was scheduled too soon after Ms. White had given birth, and that this was below the standard of care. The surgery was scheduled only six months after Ms. White had stopped breast feeding her baby.
Second, Dr. Lee advised Ms. White to daily massage her breasts following the augmentation surgery; this was below the standard of care as massaging stimulated milk production.
]]> Third, Dr. Lee negligently managed Ms. White's lactation and breast drainage by removing the drains too soon, only to have to re-install them soon after.Dr. Brown specifically declares that the care by Dr. Lee was below the standard of care.
Causation is also established by Dr. Brown: improper scheduling of the surgery directly led to the bad results of the surgery; negligent management of lactation and drainage resulted in bilateral mastitis, a fever of 104, and a staphylococcus infection that required removal of the implants and caused scarring necessitating future surgery; Dr. Lee's errors delayed Ms. White's ability to return to work; and Ms. White was required to seek emergency room care and to undergo surgical procedures which would not have been necessary but for Dr. Lee's negligence.
These specific statements, clearly tied to the facts established by the medical records, establish a triable issue of material fact.
CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated, the motion must be denied.
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
]]>It is worth noting that situations similar to those described in this case could just as easily occur at any of the healthcare facilities in the area, such as Kaiser, U.C. Davis Medical Center, Mercy, or Sutter.
Four of the twenty-one paragraphs in the declaration set forth Dr. Black's background and the records he reviewed. The next thirteen paragraphs dryly recite passages from the medical records which show that some truly awful things occurred to plaintiff immediately following the breast augmentation surgery:
* Her right breast started lactating;
* As of June 14, 2005 (nine weeks following the surgery) plaintiff had been suffering breast pain and lactation for seven weeks;
* Plaintiff had an adverse reaction to a medication intended to dry up the milk production and ended up in the emergency room;
* The implants had to be removed on June 27, 2005, and during that procedure Dr. Lee found 500 cc of milk in the right breast and 350 cc in the left;
* The breast fluid was found to contain staphylococcus;
* In early July, Dr. Lee removed the drains because they were no longer draining, yet on July 11 plaintiff was found to still have milk drainage;
* Plaintiff consulted with another physician on July 15, who found possible infection which he aspirated, with immediate relief;
* Plaintiff nevertheless was seen in the emergency room soon after, running a fever of 104, and milk continued to drain;
* Another surgery was required on July 18, during which more milk was found in each breast, and scar tissue was found;
Finally, in his last two paragraphs, Dr. Black blandly recites that Dr. Lee met the standard of care, and caused no injury to plaintiff.
Dr. Black does not discuss the fact that, immediately following the surgery performed by defendants, and obviously as a result of that surgery, plaintiff suffered from pain, infections and lactation, and underwent additional surgical procedures. Surely Dr. Black does not believe that these are normal results of properly performed medical care.
A declaration which consists of recitation of medical records followed by opinions has no value where there is nothing to connect the opinions with the recited facts. Dr. Black's declaration is squarely within this category, and cannot support a motion for summary judgment. The motion must be denied. (See Part 6 of 6.)
For more information you are welcome to contact Sacramento personal injury lawyer, Moseley Collins.
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