Cara J. Stinson v. Wa State Dept. Of Corrections ( 2014 )

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JAN 28 AN 9: 57
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
CARA J. STINSON, a seaman, No. 44004 -1 - II
Appellant,
IM
STATE OF WASHINGTON; and UNPUBLISHED OPINION
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS,
ondents.
WORSWICK, C. J. — Cara Stinson appeals summary judgment dismissal of her federal
maritime law claims against the State of Washington and its Department of Corrections, arising
from Stinson' s MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) 1 infection, which she
acquired during her tenure as a Department of Corrections seaman. Stinson argues that she
provided evidence sufficient to survive summary judgment against her on her federal maritime
law claims under ( 1) the Jones Act,2 ( 2) maintenance and cure, and ( 3) unseaworthiness. We
reverse summary judgment on all claims because issues of material fact exist regarding whether
Stinson more probably than not acquired MRSA on the ferries or on the docks, rather than off the
job.
1 MRSA is a form of staph bacteria that is resistant to multiple strains of antibiotics typically
used for the treatment of staph infections.
2
46 U.S. C. § 30104.
No. 44004 -1 - II
FACTS
A. Infection
Stinson suffered severe symptoms from a MRSA infection around March or April of
2008. In March or April of 2008, Stinson noticed a small pimple on her buttocks. Stinson' s
pimple either was or quickly became a MRSA infection. The MRSA infection grew larger and
more painful until Stinson could not sit down. The MRSA infection then began to spread down
her leg. Approximately eight days after onset, the infection became so severe that Stinson
almost passed out while working on one of the ferries, and went to the emergency room.
Two days after Stinson' s emergency room visit, her doctors informed her that she had a
MRSA infection and performed immediate surgery. Stinson missed approximately 16 days from
work due to her MRSA infection.
B. Employment
Prior to and throughout the time that Stinson suffered the symptoms of her MRSA
infection, Stinson worked as a seaman for the Washington State Department of Corrections.3
Stinson served as a deck -hand engineer on three ferries that transported passengers and inmates
between the prison' s McNeil Island dock and the Steilacoom dock. Stinson' s job included
monitoring inmates, loading and unloading passengers, operating the ferries, and cleaning the
ferries, including a restroom on one of the them.
While working on the ferries, Stinson sometimes brushed up against inmates. On the day
Stinson almost passed out due to her MRSA infection, one of the inmates had told her that he
3 Stinson has named both Washington State and its Department of Corrections in her suit. We
refer to both of these institutions as " the State."
2
No. 44004 -1 - II
was infected with MRSA. Stinson remembered that the inmate who said he had MRSA was one
of the four to six inmates working as line handlers on the ferries, but she could not remember his
name. Stinson reported the inmate' s statement that he had MRSA to her superior ( Captain
Jenkins) after returning from her hospital stay.
Stinson does not know exactly where or how she became infected with MRSA.
However, in Stinson' s opinion, she contracted MRSA " somewhere that doesn' t get cleaned," like
the ferries or the docks.4 Clerks Papers ( CP) at 59.
1. The Ferries
Stinson' s employment required her to work on all three ferries on the Steilacoom- McNeil
Island run, alternating between them as needed. The ferries had diverse passengers, including
inmates, visitors of inmates, sheriffs, and state patrol officers.
Prior to when Stinson noticed her MRSA pimple, the State had removed many of the
ferries' sanitation products. The ferries had no running water or soap. At some time prior to the
date that Stinson noticed the pimple, the State instituted a rule prohibiting bleach —so as to
follow the American Correctional Association accreditation standards designed to prevent'
inmates from harming themselves. The ban on bleach resulted in the removal from the ferries of
the bleach mixture that the captain used to sanitize the wheelhouse and wheel. The State had
also removed the ferries' antibacterial wipes and rubber gloves.
4 The State, supported by two of its employees' declarations, denies and contradicts every
allegation Stinson made regarding the sanitation of the ferries and the docks. Because we
consider all facts and reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party,
we state the facts as Stinson and her mother assert them in the record' s depositions and
declarations. Shoffner v. State, 172 Wash. App. 866, 871 -72, 294 P.3d 739, review denied, 177
Wash. 2d 1022 ( 2013). The State does not dispute that Stinson has raised an issue of material fact
as to sanitation.
3
No. 44004 -1 - II
For cleaning the ferries' restroom, toilet, seats, rails, and wheel house, the ferries had
disinfectant, glass cleaner, and oil and grease remover. Stinson could not use rubber gloves
when cleaning the ferries, because of the State' s glove ban.
Of the three ferries Stinson was assigned to, only the Henley had toilets, and this ferry
was out of commission during a period of time surrounding when Stinson noticed the pimple.
Thus, for a period of time Stinson had no place to go. to the restroom during work except for the
McNeil Island dock and the Steilacoom dock.
2. The Docks
Stinson operated the three ferries as they transported passengers back and forth between
two docks —the McNeil Island dock and the Steilacoom dock. Stinson never worked on or had
to clean the docks. Both docks had restrooms, but at the time Stinson noticed her MRSA pimple,
the restrooms suffered from various states of disrepair.
The McNeil Island dock had a restroom and an inmate Sani -Can. The restroom was not
functional around the time Stinson noticed her MRSA pimple, and Stinson' s only option on the
McNeil Island dock was to use the inmate Sani -Can. Stinson asked her superior, John Little, for
a second Sani -Can, because the inmate Sani -Can had incredibly poor sanitation conditions.
Little at first refused, but the State eventually placed a second Sani -Can on the McNeil Island
dock, prior to the time that Stinson noticed her MRSA pimple. One of the two Sani -Cans had
soap. However, that soap was always empty because the State did not clean either Sani -Can.
Urine covered the floor, and toilet paper was strewn about. Stinson used the Sani -Cans in this
condition when she had to.
0
No. 44004 -1 - II
In addition to the McNeil Island dock restroom and Sani -Cans, the Steilacoom dock had
restrooms in its dock house. The access to these restrooms was limited to employees and guests
of inmates. These restrooms usually had running water, but for a period of time they did not.
Stinson could not remember when the Steilacoom dock restrooms lacked running water, but to
her " best recollection" it was before the time she noticed her MRSA pimple. CP at 53.
C. Personal Life
Stinson' s life during the time she became infected with MRSA was limited to working at
the ferries, often 11 hour days, 6 days a week. Because Stinson only had one day off per week,
she was exhausted and never left her home other than to go to work. Thus Stinson never went to
the grocery store, and had no social life at the time surrounding her MRSA infection.
Stinson lived with her partner, who did the grocery shopping. She was never intimate
with her partner, and did " not really" touch or kiss her partner. CP at 55. Stinson had three
animals in her house. Stinson had no visitors in the year prior to discovering her MRSA pimple
other than her brother, who visited once around the time she noticed her MRSA pimple.
Stinson was always clean in her personal life, and became even more so after her training
as an emergency medical technician. Stinson always used hand sanitizer, and frequently told her
mother to do the same.
D. Medical Opinions
In granting summary judgment, the trial court considered statements from physicians
each party filed. Dr. Joyce Luteyn opined that Stinson contracted MRSA at work, and Dr. Peter
Marsh stated that any opinion that Stinson contracted her MRSA infection at her work
constituted pure speculation.
No. 44004 -1 - II
1. Joyce Luteyn, M.
D.
Dr. Joyce Luteyn treated Stinson for her MRSA infection. Luteyn has general medical
knowledge and experience, but had no special expertise on MRSA or infectious disease.
Luteyn made several assertions about MRSA generally: ( 1) MRSA was not an airborne
disease, ( 2) an infection is caused only by direct contact with MRSA bacteria, ( 3) one can
transmit MRSA through contact with infected individuals or through contact with any surface
infected with MRSA, (4) MRSA can remain on a surface for a long time, ( 5) generally MRSA
infects an open wound, which could be a pimple or a hair follicle, (6) the rate of MRSA was
much higher in prisons than in other environments, and ( 7) typically doctors can never reliably
determine the specific source of a MRSA infection, because too many potential sources exist,
and it was incredibly easy to become infected with MRSA. Luteyn further stated that washing
your hands will remove the bacteria, and is the best way to protect against infection.
Luteyn opined that, on a more probable than not basis, Stinson was infected with MRSA
while on the job. Luteyn supported this opinion with her knowledge that ( 1) prisons have high
rates of MRSA, (2) Stinson was unable to keep her hands or body parts clean while at work, and
3) Stinson had to share a toilet with others at work. Luteyn stated that the ability to wash one' s
hands and keep oneself clean was critical in high risk situations of MRSA, such as a prison.
Luteyn stated that for this reason, Stinson had a higher risk while working on the ferries —
transporting and working with inmates —than an average person would have in their life.
2. Peter Marsh, M.D.
Dr. Peter Marsh, a board certified specialist in infectious disease, reviewed the medical
reports of Stinson' s MRSA case. Marsh concluded that on a more probable than not basis, no
No. 44004 -1 - II
evidence supported Stinson' s claim that MRSA resulted from her employment with the State.
Marsh supported his conclusion with his statement that it was " entirely speculative" to say where
Stinson acquired MRSA, because MRSA was commonplace within the community, and
constituted more than 60 per cent of all staph aureus infections. CP at 89. Marsh stated that
MRSA can occur from any skin -o -skin contact, anywhere from the community.
t
E. Procedural History
Stinson made claims against the State under the Jones Act, maintenance and cure, and
unseaworthiness, for damages resulting from her MRSA infection. The State moved for
summary judgment as to all of Stinson' s claims. The State argued below that the superior court
should not consider Dr. Luteyn' s testimony when determining whether summary judgment was
appropriate, because Luteyn lacked the requisite knowledge to provide an opinion as to what
caused Stinson' s MRSA infection.
The trial court granted summary judgment against Stinson and dismissed all of her
claims. Stinson appeals.
ANALYSIS
We review summary judgment determinations de novo. Dean v. Fishing Co. ofAlaska,
Inc., 177 Wash. 2d 399, 405, 300 P.3d 815 ( 2013). Summary judgment is appropriate if no genuine,
issue of material fact exists, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
Dean, 177 Wash. 2d at 405. We do not weigh evidence or assess witness credibility on summary
judgment. Barker v. Advanced Silicon Materials, LLC, 131 Wash. App. 616, 624, 128 P.3d 633
2006).
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No. 44004 -1 - II
When determining whether summary judgment is appropriate, we consider the facts and
all reasonable inferences from those facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.
Shoffner v. State, 172 Wn. App. 866, 871 - 72, 294 P.3d 739 ( 2013), review denied, 177 Wash. 2d
1022 ( 2013). While the moving party bears the initial burden of showing that no issue of
material fact exists, "[ t]he nonmoving party cannot merely claim contrary facts and may not rely
on speculation, argumentative assertions that unresolved factual issues remain, or on affidavits
considered at face value." Shoffner, 172 Wash. App. at 872.
We may determine a question of fact on summary judgment as a matter of law if
reasonable minds could reach but one conclusion from the evidence. Swinehart v. City of
Spokane, 145 Wn. App. 836,. 844, 187 P.3d 345 ( 2008). However, " summary judgment will not
lie if ... the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving
party." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 ( 1986). " Breach and proximate
cause are generally fact questions for the trier of fact." Hertog v. City ofSeattle, 138 Wash. 2d 265,
275, 979 P.2d 400 ( 1999).
When a seaman brings a maritime action into a state court, federal statutory and common
law controls. Clausen v. Icicle Seafoods, Inc., 174 Wash. 2d 70, 76, 272 P.3d 827, cent. denied, 133
S. Ct. 199 ( 2012).
Neither state nor federal workers' compensation provides relief to injured seamen.
Clausen, 174 Wash. 2d at 76. However, a seaman may make claims under the federal maritime
doctrines of the Jones Act, maintenance and cure, and unseaworthiness.
RIM
No. 44004 -1 - II
I. ADMISSIBILITY OF LUTEYN' s TESTIMONY
As a threshold matter, the State argues that we should disregard Luteyn' s statements of
opinion, because her testimony is inadmissible under ER 702. We disagree. 5
We review evidence rulings in conjunction with summary judgment motions de novo.
Parks v. Fink, 173 Wash. App. 366, 375, 293 P.3d 1275, review denied, 177 Wash. 2d 1025 ( 2013).
We consider only admissible facts and affidavits in determining whether summary judgment is
proper. CR 56( e); Short v. Battle Ground School Dist., 169 Wash. App. 188, 196, 279 P.3d 902
2012).
ER 702 states:
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.
Our Supreme Court has held that an expert' s opinion is admissible if the witness is
properly qualified, relies on generally accepted theories, and has testimony that is helpful to the
trier of fact. Philippides v. Bernard, 151 Wash. 2d 376, 393, 88 P.3d 939 ( 2004). We construe
helpfulness" to the trier of fact broadly. Philippides, 151 Wash. 2d at 393. However, an expert
must not testify beyond her area of expertise. Queen City Farms, Inc. v. Cent. Nat' l Ins. Co. of
Omaha, 126 Wash. 2d 50, 102, 882 P.2d 703 ( 1994).
In this case, Luteyn was the doctor who treated Stinson for her MRSA infection. As a
medical doctor with experience treating patients who suffer from MRSA infections, Luteyn is
5
The State cites Guile v. Ballard Cmty. Hosp., 70 Wn. App. 18, 25, 851 P.2d 689 ( 1993), for the
proposition that expert testimony is generally required to prove medical diagnosis and causation.
However, this rule is specifically limited to medical malpractice cases, and thus does not apply to
Stinson' s case. Guile, 70 Wash. App. at 25.
G
No. 44004 -1 - II
qualified to testify as to the probable source of Stinson'.s MRSA infection. We hold that Dr.
Luteyn is qualified to testify as to her medical opinion regarding the probability that Stinson
acquired her MRSA infection while on the job or while on the ferries.
II. THE JONES ACT
Stinson argues that the trial court erred by granting summary judgment against her on her
Jones Act claim. We agree. The Jones Act created a statutory cause of action for negligence,
stating as follows:
A seaman injured in the course may elect to bring a civil
of employment ...
action at law, with the right of trial by jury, against the employer.
46 U.S. C. §. 30104.
The elements of a Jones Act negligence claim are duty, breach, notice, and causation.
Ribitzki v. Canmar Reading & Bates, Ltd., 111 F.3d 658, 662 ( 9th Cir. 1997). For a duty to exist,
the seaman must have suffered injury " in the course of employment." 46 U.S. C. § 30104. For
seamen like Stinson who do not live on the ferries ( called " brown -
water seamen ") this means
that the harm must have occurred while the seaman was on the job, rather than off duty. See
Shoffner, 172 Wash. App. at 874 -76.
An employer has a broad duty under the Jones Act to provide a safe ship and to provide
seamen in its employ with a safe workplace. Havens v. FIT Polar Mist, 996 F.2d 215, 218 ( 9th
Cir. 1993); Ribitzki, 111 F.3d at 662. We interpret the Jones Act liberally to achieve its
beneficial purpose. Shoffner, 172 Wn. App. at 873. Even the slightest negligence renders the
employer liable. Havens, 996 F.2d at 218.
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No. 44004 -1 - II
Likewise, a plaintiff can establish causation if the defendant' s negligence played any part,
however slight, in causing the injury. Ribitzki, 111 F.3d at 664. This test, often described as a
featherweight causation standard" provides that the slightest evidence of causation will allow a
plaintiff to survive summary judgment. 111 F.3d at 664.
Here, an issue of material fact exists as to whether the State negligently failed to provide
sufficient cleaning materials on the ferries, and negligently failed to properly clean the restrooms
and Sani -Cans on the docks. An issue of material fact also exists as to whether these negligent
acts of the State played a part, however slight, in causing Stinson' s MRSA infection.
A reasonable jury could find that the State negligently failed to properly provide a safe
ferry. The ferries had no running water or soap. The State removed bleach, anti -bacterial wipes,
and gloves from the ferries, and required Stinson to clean the ferries without these cleaning
materials.
A reasonable jury could also find that the State negligently failed to provide safe dock
bathrooms. On the McNeil Island dock, the restroom was out of order when Stinson developed
her MRSA infection. There was a time when only the inmate Sani -Can was available. Even
after the State installed a second Sani -Can, the soap was never refilled because the State did not
clean the Sani -Cans. The Steilacoom dock bathrooms were without running water for a period of
time.
A jury could further find that the State' s negligent acts more likely than not caused
Stinson' s MRSA infection. Luteyn considered Stinson' s working conditions and her personal
life and then concluded that it was more probable than not that Stinson' s MRSA infection
occurred while Stinson was on the job.
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No. 44004 -1 - II
Marsh' s medical declaration —concluding that Stinson cannot prove causation —does not
resolve the issue for summary judgment purposes. We do not resolve conflicting expert
testimony on summary judgment, as it is a credibility question for the jury. Barker, 131 Wn.
App. at 624; see also Postema v. Pollution Control Hearings Bd., 142 Wash. 2d 68, 119 -20, 11
P.3d 726 ( 2000).
The record sufficiently raises an issue of material fact as to whether —on a more
probable than not basis —the State' s negligent failure to provide sanitary working conditions
contributed " however slightly" to Stinson' s MRSA infection. This is because a reasonable jury
could find that the State' s negligent failure to provide the materials necessary for Stinson to
maintain her cleanliness on the ferries, and its negligent failure to clean or refill the soap in the
restrooms or Sani -Cans, more probably than not contributed to her contracting a MRSA
infection —particularly because she was in a " high risk environment" for MRSA. Thus summary
judgment was inappropriate on Stinson' s Jones Act claim.
III. MAINTENANCE AND CURE
Stinson argues that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment against her claim
for maintenance and cure because an issue of material fact exists as to whether her MRSA
condition occurred, manifested, or was aggravated while on the job. We agree.
A shipowner has a broad duty to pay maintenance and cure to any seaman in its employ
who suffers an illness or injury while in service of the ship. Dean, 177 Wash. 2d at 405 -06.
Maintenance" requires the shipowner to pay a seaman a per diem living allowance for food and
lodging. comparable to what the seaman would have received while at sea. 177 Wash. 2d at 406.
Cure" obligates the shipowner to pay for all medical expenses to treat an injury or illness-
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No. 44004 -1 - II
occurring while the seaman is working for the ship —until maximum cure is reached. 177 Wash. 2d
at 406.
The shipowner' s duty to provide maintenance and cure arises whenever the seaman can
prove with a preponderance of the evidence that "( 1) they were employed as seamen, ( 2) their
injuries or illnesses occurred, manifested, or were aggravated while in the ship' s service, ( 3) the
wages to which they are entitled, and ( 4) expenditures for medicines, medical treatment, board
and lodging." 177 Wn.2d at- 409. The seaman' s burden of proof is relatively light. 177 Wash. 2d
at 409. We resolve all ambiguities and doubts related to maintenance and cure in favor of the
seaman. 177 Wash. 2d at 408.
Causation is irrelevant to the shipowner' s duty to provide maintenance and cure. See
Tuyen Thanh Mai v. American Seafoods Co., LLC, 160 Wash. App. 528, 547, 249 P.3d 1030
2011). In fact " a seaman is entitled to recover for a preexisting condition that manifests itself
while the seaman is in the ship' s service." Tuyen Thanh Mai, 160 Wash. App. at 547 ( emphasis
added). For brown -
water seamen like Stinson, " in the ship' s service" means that the harm must
have occurred while the seaman was on the job, rather than. off duty. See Shoffner, 172 Wn.
App. at 874 -76.
We hold that summary judgment is inappropriate on Stinson' s maintenance and cure
claim. This is because Stinson has raised an issue of material fact as to whether the infection
more likely than not occurred, manifested, or was aggravated while she was working " in the
ship' s service."
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No. 44004 -1 - II
First, Stinson almost passed out from her MRSA infection —and had to go to the
emergency room — while at work on the ferries. Thus regardless of whether Stinson acquired the
infection while on the job, an issue of material fact exists as to whether or not her MRSA was a
condition that " manifested" itself on the job. See Tuyen Thanh Mai, 160 Wash. App. at 547.
Second, Luteyn concluded, after considering the conditions at Stinson' s job, as well as her
personal life, that it was more probable than not that the MRSA infection occurred while Stinson
was on the job.
The record sufficiently raises an issue of material fact as to whether Stinson more
probably than not acquired a MRSA infection while she was on the job. A reasonable jury could
find that the ferries and docks were unsanitary, and combine this with Stinson' s long work hours
on the ferries and docks. The jury could then conclude that it is more probable that Stinson
acquired MRSA during the long hours she spent working on the unsanitary, public, and crowded
ferries and docks, rather than during the time she lived a fastidious personal life where she rarely
if ever left home. Thus summary judgment is inappropriate on Stinson' s maintenance and cure
claim.
IV. UNSEAWORTHINESS
Stinson argues that summary judgment was inappropriate on her seaworthiness claim,
because an issue of material fact exists as to whether she contracted MRSA because of the
ferries' inadequate cleaning supplies. We agree
A seaworthy ship is one that is reasonably fit for its intended use. Mitchell v. Trawler
Racer, Inc., 362 U.S. 539, 550 ( 1960). Unseaworthiness is a form of strict liability, in that the
plaintiff does not have to show fault. Miller v. Arctic Alaska Fisheries Corp., 133 Wash. 2d 250,
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No. 44004 -1 - II
264 -65 n. 7, 944 P.2d 1005 ( 1997). To establish a claim for unseaworthiness, a plaintiff must
show that she ( 1) " was injured while in the ship' s service, ( 2) by a piece of ship' s equipment, ( 3)
which was not reasonably fit for its intended use." 133 Wash. 2d at 264.
The doctrine of unseaworthiness is broad and extends to almost any defective condition
related to the ship, however temporary that defective condition may be. Usner v. Luckenbach
Overseas Corp., 400 U.S. 494, 499 ( 1971). Unseaworthy conditions can arise from a wide
variety of circumstances. Usner, 400 U.S. at 499 ( 1971). The duty extends to appliances
appurtenant" to the ship. Bishop v. Alaska S. S. Co., 66 Wash. 2d 704, 709 -10, 404 P.2d 990
1965). A ship is unseaworthy if it is insufficiently or defectively equipped. Waldron v. Moore-
McCormack Lines, Inc., 386 U.S. 724, 726 ( 1967).
Causation is more difficult to establish for unseaworthiness than for the Jones Act. To
establish causation in the case of unseaworthiness, a plaintiff must demonstrate not only that the
seaman was in service of the ship, but also that a piece of the ship or the ship' s condition played
a substantial part in causing the plaintiff' s injuries. Faraola v. O'Neill, 576 F.2d 1364, 1366 ( 9th
Cir. 1978).
Nonetheless, summary judgment was inappropriate as to Stinson' s claim for
unseaworthiness. Taking the facts in the light most favorable to Stinson, a reasonable jury could
find that the State failed to provide any running water, soap, bleach, or gloves on the ferries, and
required Stinson to clean the ferry without alternative cleaning items. A reasonable jury could
determine that the lack of proper cleaning equipment constituted an unseaworthy condition, and
that this unseaworthy condition constituted a substantial factor in Stinson' s infection with
MRSA. Thus summary judgment was inappropriate on her unseaworthiness claim
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No. 44004 -1 - II
We reverse and remand for trial.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW
2. 06. 040, it is so ordered.
Worswick, C. J.