Andrea Erickson, App. v. James Holstine, D.o., Res. ( 2017 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
ANDREA ERICKSON, an individual, )
) No. 74816-5-1
Appellant, )
) DIVISION ONE
v. )
) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
JAMES HOLSTINE, D.O.; JAMES D. )
HOLSTINE D.O., P.L.L.C., a )
Washington corporation; and )
PEACEHEALTH d/b/a PEACEHEALTH )
MEDICAL GROUP,a Washington )
non-profit corporation, )
)
Respondents. ) FILED: December 18, 2017
TRICKEY, A.C.J. — Andrea Erickson filed a medical negligence claim against
PeaceHealth d/b/a PeaceHealth Medical Group, Dr. James Holstine, and James
D. Holstine D.O., PLLC (collectively, PeaceHealth). The trial court denied
Erickson's motion for summary judgment and motion to strike an untimely expert's
declaration. The jury found that Dr. Holstine was not negligent. Erickson appeals
various evidentiary decisions of the trial court and its denial of her motions for
summary judgment, judgment notwithstanding the verdict, and judgment as a
matter of law. Finding no error, we affirm.
FACTS
In March 2010, Erickson sought treatment at PeaceHealth Medical Group
for work-related left shoulder pain. Erickson was referred to Dr. Kenneth Oates
and Dr. Holstine for orthopedic opinions. Both recommended arthroscopic
subacromial decompression surgery.
No. 74816-5-1 /2
In April 2010, Dr. Holstine operated on Erickson's left shoulder to remove a
portion of Erickson's acromion bone.
On May 8, 2010, Erickson heard a pop in her left shoulder while she was
reaching for scissors, which was followed by severe pain. On May 11, Erickson
saw Dr. Michael Geist, her primary care physician, and told him that her shoulder
felt like it was broken. Dr. Geist referred Erickson to Dr. Holstine. Dr. Holstine
believed that the pop was caused by postoperative inflammation and referred
Erickson to physical therapy. The physical therapy was ineffective.
In June 2010, Erickson was seen by Physician's Assistant Judson Moore.
Erickson informed Moore that other doctors had told her that she should have an
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or an X-ray. Dr. Holstine ordered that an MRI
be taken, and relied on the radiologist's report to conclude that postoperation
inflammation likely caused Erickson's shoulder pain.
In August 2010, Erickson had another appointment at PeaceHealth Medical
Group. Erickson was experiencing moderate to serious pain daily. Dr. Holstine
administered a cortisone shot to Erickson's left shoulder but did not order an X-
ray.
In October 2010, Erickson saw Dr. Oates for a second opinion. Dr. Oates
ordered an X-ray and determined that there was a potential acromial fracture "due
to aggressive acromioplasty."1 Dr. Oates ordered a CT (computed tomography)
scan, which confirmed that Erickson had an acromial fracture. In March 2011,
Erickson had surgery to treat the fracture.
1 Ex. 11 at 1-2.
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In April 2013, Erickson filed a complaint against PeaceHealth for medical
negligence. On June 12, 2015, PeaceHealth notified Erickson that Dr. Richard
Kirby would testify that Dr. Holstine's actions met the standard of care.2
On September 14, 2015, Erickson moved for summary judgment. The
summary judgment hearing was set for October 12. Erickson submitted the expert
opinion of Dr. Steven Graboff in support of her motion, which stated that Dr.
Holstine's surgery and postoperative care fell below the standard of care. In its
response to Erickson's motion, filed October 1, PeaceHealth stated that it was
relying on Dr. Kirby's declaration and quoted several passages from it. Erickson's
reply to PeaceHealth's response, filed October 7, noted that PeaceHealth had not
submitted an opposing expert declaration with its response to her summary
judgment motion. On October 8, PeaceHealth filed and served Dr. Kirby's
declaration, which stated that Dr. Holstine acted in conformity with the standard of
care.
On October 9, Erickson moved to strike Dr. Kirby's declaration as untimely
and unresponsive to Dr. Graboff's opinions. PeaceHealth did not file a response.
The trial court struck Dr. Kirby's declaration, but withdrew its order on the same
day.
The trial court denied Erickson's motion for summary judgment. In its
decision, it declined to strike Dr. Kirby's declaration.
At trial, Dr. Graboff testified that, to comply with the standard of care, Dr.
2 PeaceHealth claims that it "informally offered the defense orthopedic expert for
deposition roughly one year before trial, when counsel for both parties attended the
deposition of' Dr. Steven Graboff. Br. of Resp'ts at 6. PeaceHealth does not provide a
citation in support of this claim.
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No. 74816-5-1 / 4
Holstine should have taken X-rays and conducted a physical examination when he
saw Erickson in May 2010. Dr. Graboff explained that an MRI was insufficient,
and that physical therapy and cortisone injections are not appropriate treatments
for a fracture. Dr. Graboff also testified that the scientific literature that Dr. Kirby
based his opinion on did not support his medical testimony.
Dr. Kirby testified that X-rays could be required to properly measure a
patient's postoperative progress and agreed that a fractured acromion could be a
complication of Erickson's procedure. But Dr. Kirby stated that Dr. Holstine's work
had met the standard of care, and that the fracture was unusual because it had
occurred in a thicker part of the bone. Dr. Kirby also testified that an MRI is the
best test to order after the procedure Erickson went through to diagnose the most
common causes of postoperative pain.
The jury found that Dr. Holstine was not negligent in his treatment of
Erickson. The trial court denied Erickson's subsequent motions for a new trial and
for judgment as a matter of law.
Erickson appeals.
ANALYSIS
Admission of Dr. Kirbv's Declaration
CR 6(b)(2)
Erickson argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted
Dr. Kirby's untimely declaration because PeaceHealth did not file a written CR
6(b)(2) motion showing excusable neglect. We conclude that PeaceHealth's
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argument in support of admitting Dr. Kirby's declaration at the summary judgment
hearing satisfied CR 6(b)(2).
When a party shows that its failure to file a document on time is due to
excusable neglect, the trial court may grant the party's motion to file the document
after the time has expired. CR 6(b)(2). This rule furthers "the civil rules' purpose
of ensuring the trial court justly, speedily, and inexpensively determines every
action, preferably on the merits rather than technicalities." Keck v. Collins, 181
Wash. App. 67, 84, 325 P.3d 306 (2014), aff'd 184 Wash. 2d 358, 357 P.3d 1080
(2015).3
In Keck, the appellants did not explicitly cite CR 6(b)(2) when they
requested the trial court's permission to file a late affidavit in response to the
respondents' summary judgment motion. 181 Wash. App. at 84 n.6. The
respondents filed a motion to strike the late affidavit, which the trial court granted.
Keck, 181 Wn.App. at 77,83. The Court of Appeals concluded that the appellants'
failure to cite CR 6(b)(2) was not a procedural bar against their late filing. Keck,
181 Wash. App. at 84 n.6. The Court of Appeals stated that the appellants had
invoked CR 6(b)(2) by requesting the trial court's permission to file a late affidavit
and briefing the issue in their motion to reconsider. Keck, 181 Wash. App. at 84 n.6.
It also noted that the respondents' motion to strike necessarily implicated CR
5(d)(2) and CR 6(b)(2) because "these rules are inextricably intertwined in the trial
3 The Washington Supreme Court upheld the Court of Appeal's decision in Keck, but did
not address CR 6. See Keck v. Collins, 184 Wash. 2d 358, 357 P.3d 1080 (2015). The
Washington Supreme Court's decision will be discussed further below in the context of
trial courts' application of the Burnet factors before excluding untimely evidence in
response to summary judgment.
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No. 74816-5-1/6
court's decision on whether to consider or not consider" the affidavit. Keck, 181
Wash. App. at 84 n.6.
"Trial courts have discretion whether to accept untimely filed documents."
Colorado Structures, Inc. v. Blue Mountain Plaza, LLC, 159 Wash. App. 654, 660,
246 P.3d 835 (2011). "Discretion is abused when it is exercised on untenable
grounds or for untenable reasons." Colorado Structures, Inc., 159 Wash. App. at
660.
Here, at the summary judgment hearing, the parties addressed
PeaceHealth's failure to file a motion to enlarge time pursuant to CR 6(b)(2).
Erickson stated that CR 6 required PeaceHealth to file a motion showing excusable
neglect, and that PeaceHealth had not done so for tactical reasons. PeaceHealth
responded that it was making an oral motion under CR 6 because it had not had
an opportunity to submit a motion in writing due to the condensed timeframe.
PeaceHealth offered to submit additional briefing if the trial court was unsatisfied
with oral argument.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it accepted PeaceHealth's
arguments at the summary judgment hearing as an oral motion to enlarge time
under CR 6(b)(2). PeaceHealth's oral arguments addressed CR 6(b)(2)'s element
of excusable neglect. PeaceHealth presented its arguments to the trial court
shortly after Erickson filed her motion to strike, and made the same arguments as
it would have if it had filed a written motion. Therefore, we conclude that
PeaceHealth complied with CR 6(b)(2) when it presented oral arguments
establishing excusable neglect at the summary judgment hearing.
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Consideration of Burnet Factors
Erickson argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it denied her
motion to strike Dr. Kirby's untimely declaration. PeaceHealth responds that the
trial court properly applied the Burnet factors to determine that striking Dr. Kirby's
declaration for summary judgment was unnecessary. See Burnet v. Spokane
Ambulance, 131 Wash. 2d 484, 933 P.2d 1036 (1997). We agree with PeaceHealth.
Before excluding untimely disclosed evidence that would affect a party's
ability to present its case, a court must consider the Burnet factors of "whether a
lesser sanction would probably suffice, whether the violation was willful or
deliberate, and whether the violation substantially prejudiced the opposing party."
Keck, 184 Wash. 2d at 368-69; see Burnet, 131 Wash. 2d at 490-91.
A trial court's decision to strike or allow a declaration on summary judgment
is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Keck, 184 Wash. 2d at 368-69. Failure to
consider the Burnet factors before striking evidence submitted in response to a
summary judgment motion is an abuse of discretion. Keck, 184 Wash. 2d at 361-62.
Here, the trial court considered the Burnet factors in deciding whether or not
to strike Dr. Kirby's declaration at summary judgment. The trial court stated that it
accepted PeaceHealth's claim that its failure to include Dr. Kirby's declaration in
its reply was inadvertent, not willful or deliberate. This conclusion was supported
by PeaceHealth's inclusion of excerpts from Dr. Kirby's declaration in its response
to Erickson's motion for summary judgment and Dr. Kirby's" signing of the
declaration on September 22, although PeaceHealth sent it to Erickson on October
8.
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No. 74816-5-1 / 8
The trial court also determined that Erickson was not prejudiced by the
untimely filing because she was aware that Dr. Kirby may be called as an expert
witness for PeaceHealth, and because Erickson argued to the trial court that the
declaration did not say anything substantive. The trial court then found that a
lesser sanction was available in the form of making Dr. Kirby available for a
deposition by Erickson, with the costs borne by PeaceHealth.
Thus, the trial court considered each Burnet factor and determined that
striking Dr. Kirby's untimely declaration was unnecessary. Therefore, we conclude
that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it declined to strike Dr. Kirby's
untimely declaration.
Erickson argues that PeaceHealth has not offered any evidence of
excusable neglect other than counsel's argument, and thus, the trial court abused
its discretion when it declined to strike Dr. Kirby's declaration. Argument by
counsel is not evidence. Strandberg v. N. Pac. Rv. Co., 59 Wash. 2d 259, 265, 367
P.2d 137 (1961). But Erickson is not correct about the record. At the summary
judgment hearing, PeaceHealth pointed out that its response to Erickson's motion
for summary judgment, dated October 1, 2015, included excerpts of Dr. Kirby's
declaration. Moreover, Dr. Kirby's declaration was signed and dated on
September 22, 2015, although it was sent to Erickson on October 8. Thus,
PeaceHealth does not rely solely on counsel's argument. Rather, the record
supports PeaceHealth's assertion that it was prepared to provide Dr. Kirby's
declaration with its response to Erickson's motion for summary judgment. We
reject Erickson's argument.
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Substantial Evidence
Erickson argues that the trial court's findings regarding the timeliness of Dr.
Kirby's declaration are not supported by substantial evidence. We conclude that
the record contains substantial evidence supporting the trial court's findings.
When a trial court has weighed the evidence, an appellate court's review is
limited to "determining whether substantial evidence supports the findings and, if
so, whether the findings in turn support the trial court's conclusions of law and
judgment." Ridgeview Props. v. Starbuck, 96 Wash. 2d 716, 719, 638 P.2d 1231
(1982). "Substantial evidence is evidence in sufficient quantum to persuade a fair-
minded person of the truth of the declared premise." Ridqeview Props., 96 Wash. 2d
at 719.
Here, the trial court's findings are supported by substantial evidence in the
record. First, PeaceHealth established that its delay was inadvertent, and
demonstrated excusable neglect and reasonable justification. Dr. Kirby's
declaration was signed and dated on September 22, 2015. PeaceHealth's
response to Erickson's motion for summary judgment, filed on October 1, stated
that it was relying on Dr. Kirby's declaration and included excerpts of the
declaration. PeaceHealth sent Dr. Kirby's declaration to Erickson on October 8,
immediately after learning of its error. Thus, there is substantial evidence in the
record supporting the trial court's findings that PeaceHealth's failure to file Dr.
Kirby's declaration on time was inadvertent and due to excusable neglect, and that
PeaceHealth was reasonably justified in its delay.
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No. 74816-5-1 / 10
Second, the trial court's finding that Erickson was not prejudiced by the
timing of Dr. Kirby's declaration or discovery deposition is supported by substantial
evidence. In June 2015, PeaceHealth notified Erickson that Dr. Kirby would be
testifying that Dr. Holstine's actions met the standard of care and would rebut
issues raised by Erickson's experts. The summary judgment hearing was not held
until October 2015. Moreover, Erickson was provided with the declaration only
seven days after PeaceHealth's response to Erickson's motion for summary
judgment had been filed. Thus, Erickson was on notice that Dr. Kirby would be
testifying, and there was not a substantial delay between when Erickson should
have received Dr. Kirby's declaration and when she actually received it. Therefore,
substantial evidence in the record supports the trial court's finding that Erickson
was not substantially prejudiced.
Third, the trial court's finding that lesser sanctions were available was
supported by substantial evidence. The trial court ordered that Erickson be
allowed to depose Dr. Kirby at PeaceHealth's expense in Bellingham or Seattle.
Making Dr. Kirby available for deposition and shifting the cost to PeaceHealth
permitted Erickson to obtain information about the nature of Dr. Kirby's testimony
without incurring additional costs, and is a less serious sanction than striking the
declaration entirely because much of PeaceHealth's case relied on Dr. Kirby's
testimony. Thus, the trial court's finding that there was a less serious sanction
available is supported by substantial evidence in the record.
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In sum, each of the trial court's findings supporting its decision to deny
Erickson's motion to strike Dr. Kirby's untimely declaration was supported by
substantial evidence. We reject Erickson's argument.
Factual Foundation of Dr. Kirby's Declaration
Erickson argues that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment
because Dr. Kirby's declaration was not supported by sufficient factual information
and foundation to create a genuine issue of material fact. PeaceHealth responds
that Dr. Kirby's declaration contained sufficient factual foundation to be admissible
and raise a genuine issue of material fact. We agree with PeaceHealth.
Generally, in medical negligence cases, expert medical testimony is
required to establish whether or not the injury was proximately caused by a medical
professional's failure to meet the standard of care. Seybold v. Neu, 105 Wash. App.
666, 676, 19 P.3d 1068 (2001). The plaintiff must produce such medical expert
testimony establishing proximate causation between the injury and a failure to
comply with the applicable standard of care to avoid summary judgment. Sevbold,
105 Wash. App. at 676.
"[T]he expert testimony must be based on facts in the case, not speculation
or conjecture." Sevbold, 105 Wash. App. at 677. "Affidavits containing conclusory
statements without adequate factual support are insufficient to defeat a motion for
summary judgment." Guile v. Ballard Cmty. Hosp., 70 Wash. App. 18, 25, 851 P.2d
689 (1993).
This court reviews a trial court's evidentiary rulings for summary judgments
de novo. Sevbold, 105 Wash. App. at 678.
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No. 74816-5-1/12
Here, Dr. Kirby's declaration contains sufficient factual foundation to be
admissible and to create a genuine issue of material fact precluding summary
judgment. Dr. Kirby stated that he had extensive medical training and experience
with shoulder surgery procedures, and had reviewed Erickson's key medical
records and the images of her shoulder.
Dr. Kirby declared that Dr. Holstine's preoperative care, surgery, and
postoperative care met the standard of care. He stated that his reasons included
his conclusion that Erickson met the criteria for arthroscopic surgery, the operative
note showed that the procedure was uneventful, pain and popping are common in
the early postoperative period and do not necessarily require additional imaging,
and fractures could occur naturally at the location where Erickson's appeared. Dr.
Kirby declared that Erickson's continuing pain and other problems were likely due
to unrelated comorbidities.
Dr. Kirby's declaration is based on the facts of the present case. His
opinions were based on his extensive medical experience and the medical records
provided to him regarding Erickson's medical history and the surgical procedure.
Therefore, we conclude that Dr. Kirby's declaration contained sufficient factual
foundation to be admissible and to create a genuine issue of material fact
precluding summary judgment.
Dr. Kirby's Expert Trial Testimony
Erickson argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it allowed Dr.
Kirby to testify at trial because his testimony was not based on valid scientific
principles. PeaceHealth responds that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
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No. 74816-5-1 /13
because Dr. Kirby was qualified as an expert under ER 702. We agree with
PeaceHealth.
"If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of
fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified
as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify
thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise." ER 702.
Under ER 702,the admissibility of expert testimony "depends upon whether
(1)the witness qualifies as an expert,(2)the opinion is based upon on explanatory
theory generally accepted in the scientific community, and (3)the expert testimony
would be helpful to the trier of fact." State v. Allery, 101 Wash. 2d 591, 596,682 P.2d
312 (1984). Expert testimony is helpful to the trier of fact "if it concerns matters
beyond the common knowledge of a layperson and does not mislead the jury."
State v. Kinq County Dist. Court W. Div., 175 Wash. App. 630, 638, 307 P.3d 765
(2013).
Expert medical testimony must be based on the facts of the case, not
speculation, and be based on a reasonable degree of medical certainty. Hill v.
Sacred Heart Med. Ctr., 143 Wash. App. 438, 448, 177 P.3d 1152 (2008). "If the
expert's opinion assumes the existence of conditions or circumstances not of
record, its validity dissolves and the answer must be stricken." Tokarz v. Ford
Motor Co., 8 Wash. App. 645, 653, 508 P.2d 1370 (1973).
A trial court's qualification of an expert is reviewed for abuse of discretion.
Tokarz, 8 Wash. App. at 653.
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Here, Dr. Kirby is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder issues with
over 30 years of experience. Prior to testifying, Dr. Kirby reviewed substantial
information relevant to Erickson's injury, including records from her family doctor,
a psychiatrist, Dr. Holstine, and Dr. Oates, along with X-rays of her shoulder. At
trial, Dr. Kirby testified that Dr. Holstine had complied with the standard of care in
performing the procedure and in treating Erickson's postsurgery complications. Dr.
Holstine's surgical methodology, its possible effects, and which posttreatment
measures are appropriate to address complications are likely outside of the
knowledge of the jury, and thus, Dr. Kirby's testimony would be helpful.
Dr. Kirby's testimony satisfies ER 702's requirements. He was an
established medical professional specializing in the field at issue in this case. His
opinion was based on Erickson's relevant medical records and his own experience
as a specialist in this area, and was based on established methodologies used in
the field. Dr. Kirby's testimony was helpful to the jury because these issues are
not within the common knowledge of lay people. Therefore, we conclude that the
trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Dr. Kirby's testimony as an expert
opinion.
Erickson argues that Dr. Kirby's opinion lacked sufficient factual information
or foundation to support his opinions because he admitted that he did not read all
of the medical literature that he claimed he used to reach his conclusions. This
misstates the record. Dr. Kirby testified that he had read only the abstracts of
several medical articles that he mentioned in his deposition testimony. But at trial,
he also testified about his extensive medical training, specialization in the field of
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No. 74816-5-1 / 15
shoulder injuries, and review of Erickson's medical records. The fact that Dr. Kirby
read only the abstracts of several of the medical articles discussed at his
deposition is insufficient to demonstrate that his opinion at trial lacked factual
information and support. We reject this argument.
Erickson also argues that the trial court abused its discretion when it
admitted Dr. Kirby's testimony because it was based on "junk science" and
prohibited under Frye v. United States, 54 App. D.C. 46, 293 F. 1013 (1923).
PeaceHealth responds that Frye is inapplicable because Dr. Kirby's testimony was
based on his professional experience and knowledge, rather than novel science.
We agree with PeaceHealth.
In Washington, the Frye, test examines "(1) whether the scientific theory
upon which the evidence is based is generally accepted in the relevant scientific
community, and (2) whether the technique used to implement that theory is also
generally accepted by that scientific community." State v. Gentry, 125 Wash. 2d 570,
585, 888 P.2d 1105(1995).
Testimony that does not involve new methods of proof or scientific principles
to reach its conclusions is not subject to the Frye test. State v. Ortiz, 119 Wash. 2d
294, 311, 831 P.2d 1060(1992); see also State v. Phillips, 123 Wn. App.761,766,
98 P.3d 838 (2004).
"Questions of admissibility under Frye are reviewed de novo." Anderson v.
Akzo Nobel Coatings, Inc., 172 Wash. 2d 593, 600, 260 P.3d 857(2011).
Here, Frye is inapplicable because Dr. Kirby's testimony did not rely on a
novel method of proof or scientific principle to reach his conclusions. As discussed
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No. 74816-5-1 /16
above, Dr. Kirby based his testimony on his medical training, experience as an
orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder issues, and review of Erickson's
medical history. He did not state that he was relying on novel methods or principles
to reach his conclusions. Thus, Dr. Kirby's testimony did not require a Frye
analysis and we reject Erickson's argument.4
Jury Instruction on Standard of Care
Error of Law
Erickson argues that the trial court erred when it gave the jury an instruction
that misstated the applicable standard of care. PeaceHealth responds that the trial
court properly provided the instruction as a supplemental instruction to the general
standard of care instruction. We agree with PeaceHealth.
"The most critical element of most medical malpractice claims based on
negligence . . . is the standard of care owed by the doctor to his or her patient."
Watson v. Hockett, 107 Wash. 2d 158, 162, 727 P.2d 669 (1986). If a trial court
properly instructs the jury on the applicable standard of care, it may also
supplement its standard of care instruction with additional instructions. Watson,
107 Wash. 2d at 166-67.5 While these supplemental instructions may clarify the
standard of care instruction, they do not change it. Watson, 107 Wash. 2d at 166.
4 Erickson's arguments dispute the validity of Dr. Kirby's conclusions, rather than his
scientific methodology or principles. See, e.g., Appellant Erickson's Opening Br. at 39-38
(For example, "It cannot be seriously 'argued' that medical science believes it is
acceptable to fail to diagnose a broken bone."). Erickson's arguments are not relevant to
showing that Dr. Kirby used novel scientific methods or principles to reach his conclusions,
or that these conclusions are novel to the scientific community.
5 These include "no guarantee," Thad result," and "error in judgment' instructions.
Watson, 107 Wash. 2d at 166; see also Miller v. Kennedy, 91 Wash. 2d 155, 157-60, 588 P.2d
734 (1978).
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No. 74816-5-1 / 17
The Washington Pattern Jury Instructions provides an exercise ofjudgment
instruction:
A physician is not liable for selecting one of two or more alternative
[courses of treatment][diagnoses], if, in arriving at the judgment to
[follow the particular course of treatment] [make the particular
diagnosis], the physician exercised reasonable care and skill within
the standard of care the physician was obliged to follow.
6 WASHINGTON PRACTICE: WASHINGTON PATTERN JURY INSTRUCTIONS: CIVIL 105.08
(6th ed. 2012)(WPI)(boldface omitted)(alterations in original). WPI 105.08 has
been approved of as a proper supplemental instruction to the standard of care in
medical negligence cases. See Fergen v. Sestero, 182 Wash. 2d 794, 803-06, 812,
346 P.3d 708(2015).
An appellate court reviews alleged errors of law in jury instructions de novo.
Anfinson v. FedEx Ground Package Sys., Inc., 174 Wash. 2d 851, 860,281 P.3d 289
(2012).
Here, the trial court's instruction 11 instructed the jury on the general
standard of care for health care professionals. The trial court's instruction 13
provided:
An orthopedic surgeon is not liable for selecting one of two or more
alternative courses of treatment or diagnoses, if, in arriving at the
judgment to follow the particular course of treatment or make the
particular diagnosis, the orthopedic surgeon exercised reasonable
care and skill within the standard of care the orthopedic surgeon was
obliged to follow.16]
Instruction 13 uses the language of WPI 105.08. It supplements the general
standard of care instruction provided by the trial court in instruction 11 to inform
the jury of the interaction between a medical professional's exercise of judgment
6 Clerk's Papers(CP) at 1096.
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No. 74816-5-1 /18
and the general standard of care. Erickson has not argued that instruction 11
misstated the standard of care applicable to Dr. Holstine. Therefore, the trial court
did not err by supplementing instruction 11's general standard of care language
with instruction 13's exercise of reasonable care and skill language.
Erickson argues that instruction 13 misstates the law of Washington
because differential diagnoses, processes by which physicians rule out potential
causes of an injury, are part of the standard of care in Washington, relying on
Anderson, 172 Wash. 2d at 610. Erickson also argues that Dr. Kirby, Dr. Holstine,
and Dr. Graboff testified that a differential diagnosis is part of the standard of care.
These arguments are unpersuasive. The passage of Anderson that
Erickson relies on concerns the use of differential diagnoses in determining
medical causation, not the standard of care applicable to medical negligence
cases. Further, this argument is irrelevant to whether the trial court erred by
instructing the jury on an orthopedic surgeon's exercise of reasonable care and
skill. Finally, Erickson did not request a jury instruction that would have told the
jury that a differential diagnosis was required to meet the standard of care.
In sum, Erickson has not demonstrated that the law of Washington requires
a healthcare professional to conduct a differential diagnosis or that the trial court
erred when it did not give the jury an instruction that Erickson did not request. We
reject her arguments.
Substantial Evidence
Erickson argues that the trial court erred when it gave the jury instruction 13
because the instruction was not supported by substantial evidence in the record.
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PeaceHealth argues that Dr. Holstine's testimony contained substantial evidence
to support instruction 13. We agree with PeaceHealth.
"Whether or not to give a particular instruction is a matter within the
discretion of the trial judge." Seattle W. Indus., Inc. v. David A. Mowat Co., 110
Wash. 2d 1, 9, 750 P.2d 245 (1988). But "[i]f a party's case theory lacks substantial
evidence, a trial court must not instruct the jury on it." Fergen v. Sestero, 174 Wn.
App. 393, 397, 298 P.3d 782 (2013), aff'd, 182 Wash. 2d 794, 346 P.3d 708 (2015).
To be sufficient to support a jury instruction, a party's case theory must be
supported by evidence "ris[ing] above speculation and conjecture." Bd. of Reoents
of Univ. of Wash. v. Frederick & Nelson, 90 Wash. 2d 82, 86, 579 P.2d 346 (1978).
Here, substantial evidence supports instructing the jury about an orthopedic
surgeon's exercise of reasonable care and skill. Dr. Holstine testified that he
initially decided to wait and see if Erickson's pain would subside. Later, when her
pain persisted, Dr. Holstine ordered an MRI because it would show many of the
most common complications following Erickson's procedure. He chose not to
order a CT scan or an X-ray, as they would not have shown evidence of any of
those complications.
Dr. Kirby testified that Dr. Holstine had a choice of treatment options to
recommend when Erickson had postoperative pain, including waiting and seeing
what happened, conducting an MRI, or taking an X-ray. Dr. Kirby further testified
that complaints like Erickson's were common and often resolved on their own, and
that an MRI was the most appropriate measure to discover the most likely
complications following shoulder procedures like Erickson had undergone.
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No. 74816-5-1 / 20
This testimony constitutes substantial evidence supporting the trial court's
decision to give instruction 13 to the jury. Dr. Holstine's and Dr. Kirby's testimony
indicated that Dr. Holstine had a number of options when treating Erickson.
Further, it indicates that he may have acted within the standard of care when he
initially decided to wait and see if her symptoms resolved and later ordered an MRI
imaging of her shoulder to determine the cause of her pain. Therefore, there was
substantial evidence justifying the trial court's decision to give the jury an
instruction about a healthcare professional's exercise of reasonable care and skill
when deciding about what course of treatment to pursue.
Jury Verdict
Erickson argues that the jury's verdict was not supported by substantial
evidence and must be reversed. Erickson also argues that the trial court erred in
denying her motion for judgment as a matter of law because there is no substantial
evidence or reasonable inference capable of sustaining a verdict for PeaceHealth.
PeaceHealth responds that substantial evidence in the record supports the jury's
verdict. We agree with PeaceHealth.
The Court of Appeals "may overturn the jury's verdict only if it was not
[supported by substantial evidence]." Canron, Inc. v. Fed. Ins. Co., 82 Wash. App.
480, 486, 918 P.2d 937 (1996). To be substantial, there must be sufficient
evidence to "persuade a rational, fair-minded person of the truth of the premise in
question." Canron, Inc., 82 Wash. App. at 486.
"Granting a motion for judgment as a matter of law is appropriate when,
viewing the evidence most favorable to the nonmoving party, the court can say, as
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No. 74816-5-1 / 21
a matter of law, there is no substantial evidence or reasonable inference to sustain
a verdict for the nonmoving party." Sing v. John L. Scott, Inc., 134 Wash. 2d 24, 29,
948 P.2d 816 (1997).
Here, the jury found that Dr. Holstine was not negligent in his treatment of
Erickson. The jury's verdict was supported by substantial evidence. At trial, Dr.
Holstine and Dr. Kirby testified about the relevant standard of care and that Dr.
Holstine's actions conformed to it. They based their opinions in part on their
extensive medical training, experience, and examination of Erickson's medical
records. The substantial evidence supporting the jury's verdict contained in the
record weighs against granting judgment as a matter of law. Therefore, we
conclude that the jury's verdict was supported by substantial evidence and that the
trial court did not err in denying Erickson's motion for judgment as a matter of law.
Affirmed.
---iFko-se 1 ]PicAcr
WE CONCUR:
itcL,zt\„Eosiz.,75 65-2(,3
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