Marvin Morris, M.D. v. David Boerste, as Administrator of the Estate of Carolyn Boerste ( 2022 )

RENDERED: JANUARY 7, 2022; 10:00 A.M.
TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky
Court of Appeals
NO. 2020-CA-0646-MR
MARVIN MORRIS, M.D. AND
UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER,
INC. D/B/A UNIVERSITY OF
LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL APPELLANTS
APPEAL FROM JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
v. HONORABLE MITCH PERRY, JUDGE
ACTION NO. 17-CI-002453
DAVID BOERSTE, AS
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE
OF CAROLYN D. BOERSTE;
TRILOGY HEALTHCARE OF
JEFFERSON, LLC D/B/A
FRANCISCAN HEALTH CARE
CENTER; KIMBERLY BRUMLEVE
M.D.; LOUISVILLE EMERGENCY
MEDICAL ASSOCIATES; MARK A.
NUNLEY, M.D.; CHARLOTTE A.
CRABTREE; VALERIE DAVIS;
WILLIAM GOODLETT; AND
UNIVERSITY SURGICAL
ASSOCIATES, PSC APPELLEES
AND NO. 2020-CA-0754-MR
UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER,
INC. D/B/A UNIVERSITY OF
LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL AND
MARVIN MORRIS, M.D. APPELLANTS
APPEAL FROM JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
v. HONORABLE MITCH PERRY, JUDGE
ACTION NO. 17-CI-002453
DAVID BOERSTE, AS
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE
OF CAROLYN D. BOERSTE;
TRILOGY HEALTHCARE OF
JEFFERSON, LLC D/B/A
FRANCISCAN HEALTH CARE
CENTER; KIMBERLY BRUMLEVE,
M.D.; LOUISVILLE EMERGENCY
MEDICAL ASSOCIATES; MARK A.
NUNLEY, M.D.; CHARLOTTE A.
CRABTREE; VALERIE DAVIS;
WILLIAM GOODLETT; AND
UNIVERSITY SURGICAL APPELLEES
ASSOCIATES, PSC
AND NO. 2020-CA-0755-MR
DAVID BOERSTE, AS
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE
OF CAROLYN D. BOERSTE CROSS-APPELLANT
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CROSS-APPEAL FROM JEFFERSON CIRCUIT COURT
v. HONORABLE MITCH PERRY, JUDGE
ACTION NO. 17-CI-002453
UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER,
INC. D/B/A UNIVERSITY OF
LOUISVILLE HOSPITAL; MARVIN
MORRIS, M.D.; CHARLOTTE A.
CRABTREE; VALERIE DAVIS;
WILLIAM GOODLETT; LOUISVILLE
EMERGENCY MEDICAL
ASSOCIATES; MARK A. NUNLEY,
M.D.; KIMBERLY BRUMLEVE, M.D.;
AND TRILOGY HEALTHCARE OF
JEFFERSON, LLC D/B/A
FRANCISCAN HEALTH CARE
CENTER; UNIVERSITY SURGICAL
ASSOCIATES, PSC CROSS-APPELLEES
OPINION
AFFIRMING IN PART, REVERSING IN PART,
AND REMANDING
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: COMBS, GOODWINE, AND LAMBERT, JUDGES.
GOODWINE, JUDGE: Carolyn D. Boerste1 (“Boerste”) brought a medical
negligence action against Appellants for leaving a surgical sponge in her abdomen
upon completion of surgery. A jury awarded her a total of $10.5 million.
1
Boerste passed away during the pendency of this appeal and her son David Boerste, as
Administrator of the Estate of Carolyn D. Boerste, was substituted as Appellee/Cross-Appellant
by order of this Court on November 24, 2021.
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Appellants, University Medical Center (“University Hospital”) and Marvin Morris,
M.D. (“Dr. Morris”) appealed. Boerste cross-appealed. After careful review, we
affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for the limited purpose of retrial on the
issue of punitive damages due to erroneous jury instructions.
BACKGROUND
Boerste had a history of peripheral vascular disease, hypertension, and
diabetes. Her health conditions caused a wound on her toe to become infected and
gangrenous. Dr. Morris recommended an aortobifemoral bypass surgery to
improve circulation in her lower extremities and informed her she may need future
surgeries, including amputation.
In March 2011, Dr. Morris and a surgical team performed the bypass
surgery at University Hospital. The surgical team left a laparotomy sponge2 in her
abdomen, which was not removed until November 2016.
On May 18, 2017, Boerste filed suit against Appellants Dr. Morris,
University Hospital, and the hospital’s employees who performed the March 2011
surgery. Boerste also alleged claims against other medical professionals who
failed to act on a radiologist’s report that identified the retained sponge in her body
in March 2015 and who otherwise contributed to her injuries. Boerste alleged she
2
“The term ‘sponge’ is somewhat misleading. The 18 x 18-inch sponge is, in size, more like a
towel.” Brief for Appellee/Cross-Appellant, p. 1.
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sustained injuries due to the retained sponge, including diarrhea, vomiting, nausea,
and ultimately leg amputation. Boerste argued the sponge removal surgery
resulted in amputation of her leg because she developed wounds on her lower
extremities while bedridden following the removal of the sponge.
On the first day of trial, in December 2019, University Hospital
conceded liability for leaving the sponge in Boerste’s abdomen. As to the
Hospital, the only remaining issue was damages, including punitive damages. As
to Dr. Morris and the three other defendants, both liability and damages remained
at issue.
Following a ten-day trial, the jury found Dr. Morris liable as well as
two other defendants who were not before the circuit court. The jury found in
favor of an emergency doctor who participated at trial. The jury apportioned 60%
liability to the Hospital, 10% liability to Dr. Morris, and 30% liability to the two
other defendants. The jury awarded Boerste $9.5 million in damages and an
additional $1 million in punitive damages for a total verdict of $10.5 million.
University Hospital, Dr. Morris, and the other defendants then filed a
motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or in the alternative, motion for
new trial. They raised the following six issues: (1) refusing to provide an
apportionment instruction as to Boerste; (2) refusing to provide a mitigation
instruction against Boerste; (3) a statement in Boerste’s opening statement
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regarding ability to collect a judgment against a third party not at trial; (4) the
punitive damages instruction was improper based on failure to prove University
Hospital’s gross negligence; (5) the punitive damages instruction was improper
based on failure to include statutory language; and (6) an alleged unfair surprise
testimony in Boerste’s expert’s deposition regarding Dr. Morris’s standard of care.
The circuit court denied the motion. This appeal followed.
ANALYSIS
I. ARGUMENTS ON APPEAL
On appeal, Appellants, University Hospital and Dr. Morris, argue: (1)
a new trial is required because the circuit court failed to give instructions on
apportionment of fault and mitigation of damages against Boerste; (2) a new trial is
required because the pain and suffering award is grossly excessive and reflects
improper jury sympathy or bias; (3) the punitive damages award must be vacated;
and (4) the judgment against Dr. Morris must be vacated.
A. APPELLANTS WERE NOT ENTITLED TO AN INSTRUCTION
ON APPORTIONMENT OF FAULT OR MITIGATION OF
DAMAGES AGAINST BOERSTE.
First, Appellants argue they were entitled to instructions on
apportionment of fault and mitigation of damages against Boerste for her failure to
follow medical advice after the medical negligence. Appellants assert Boerste’s
actions after the sponge was left in her abdomen directly contributed to her
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worsening health problems. Specifically, they point to Boerste’s failure to follow
medical advice for follow-up care, to obtain the recommended podiatrist care, and
to make necessary efforts to control her diabetes.
“[A] trial court’s decision on whether to instruct on a specific claim
will be reviewed for abuse of discretion[.]” Sargent v. Shaffer, 467 S.W.3d 198,
204 (Ky. 2015), overruled on other grounds by University Medical Center, Inc. v.
Shwab, 628 S.W.3d 112 (Ky. 2021). Under this standard, we overturn a trial
court’s decision when it “is arbitrary, unreasonable, unfair, or unsupported by
sound legal principles.” Id. at 203.
Here, in declining to give an apportionment instruction regarding
Boerste’s actions, the circuit court stated, on the video record, that it had
extensively considered the issue during the two-week trial. The circuit court
determined Pauly v. Chang, 498 S.W.3d 394 (Ky. App. 2015), was “the only case
that [came] close to answering, functionally, the policy reason for why we don’t
compare the negligence of a patient to the professional negligence of a doctor.”
Video Record (“VR”) 12/12/19 at 6:09:48-6:10:03. In Pauly, this Court held “a
plaintiff’s negligence that merely provides the occasion for the medical care,
attention, and treatment that subsequently results in a medical malpractice action
should not be considered by a jury assessing fault.” 498 S.W.3d at 417. Here, the
circuit court quoted, “[t]he fact that a patient has injured himself, negligently or
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non-negligently, has no bearing on the duty of the hospital and health care
providers to treat him in accordance with the appropriate standard of care.” Id. at
418. The circuit court further quoted Pauly:
All patients, regardless of how they sustain an illness or
injury, may reasonably expect competent treatment from
those into whose hands they have placed themselves. . . .
It would be inconsistent with the reasonable and normal
expectations of both parties for the court to excuse or
reduce the provider’s liability simply because it was the
patient’s own fault that she required care in the first
place.
Id. (citation omitted).
During the discussion of the possibility of an apportionment
instruction, Appellants’ rationale was that, had Boerste taken more proactive steps
to manage her health, then amputation of her leg may not have been required
because the sponge may have been found during other treatment. The circuit court
disagreed based on its understanding of Pauly, finding under the specific facts of
this case:
The res ipsa thing [retained surgical sponge] happened in
2011, wasn’t cured in 2016, so it defies policy reasons to
me that we could blame the patient who didn’t know.
It’s almost as if the argument is she should have taken an
affirmative and more aggressive step to find out. I just
do not, respectfully, think that is the law of Kentucky.
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VR 12/12/19 at 6:12:28-6:12:50. Based on this analysis, the circuit court declined
to provide an apportionment instruction against Boerste, but the court did not
foreclose a mitigation of damages instruction at the time.
Based on our review, the circuit court correctly concluded there was
no factual basis for instructions on apportionment of fault or mitigation of
damages. Both require proof at trial of a party’s negligence or lack of reasonable
care that caused the injury. See Pauly, 498 S.W.3d 394. An apportionment
instruction is appropriate when a patient’s negligence was “an active and efficient
contributing cause of the injury[.]” Id. at 416 (citation omitted). A mitigation
instruction is appropriate when the plaintiff failed to act reasonably and there was
specific evidence showing the plaintiff’s actions “caused a worsening of her
condition attributable to her failure to follow reasonable medical advice.” Morgan
v. Scott, 291 S.W.3d 622, 641 (Ky. 2009).
Here, Appellants failed to present evidence to support an instruction
on either apportionment or mitigation. No one knew a sponge was retained in
Boerste’s abdomen, so she was not given specific instructions for follow-up care
regarding the sponge. The evidence showed her body reacted to the foreign object
and attempted to eliminate it. The retained sponge moved through her abdominal
cavity and intestinal wall causing nausea, vomiting, and excessive diarrhea for five
years. Ultimately, Boerste underwent surgery to remove the sponge, which she
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had to recover from. The fact that Boerste was a poor patient who failed to
properly treat her diabetes is irrelevant. She was a poor patient prior to the bypass
surgery, and Appellants knew Boerste might ultimately need to have her lower leg
amputated at the time of the bypass surgery. Therefore, we hold Appellants were
not entitled to instructions on apportionment of fault or mitigation of damages.
B. APPELLANTS FAILED TO PROPERLY PRESERVE THEIR
PAIN AND SUFFERING ARGUMENT.
Second, Appellants argue they are entitled to a new trial because
the pain and suffering award is grossly excessive and reflects improper jury
sympathy or bias. Appellants failed to include a preservation statement for this
argument in violation of CR3 76.12(4)(c)(v), and Boerste argues Appellants failed
to preserve it. In reply, Appellants argue they preserved this issue in their motion
for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or for new trial.
CR 51 governs objections to jury instructions:
(1) At any time before or during the trial, the court may
direct the parties to tender written instructions. At the
close of the evidence any party may move the court to
instruct the jury on any matter appropriate to the issues in
the action.
(2) After considering any tendered instructions and
motions to instruct and before the commencement of the
argument, the court shall show the parties the written
instructions it will give the jury, allowing them an
opportunity to make objections out of the hearing of the
3
Kentucky Rule of Civil Procedure.
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jury. Thereafter, and before argument to the jury, the
written instructions shall be given.
(3) No party may assign as error the giving or the failure
to give an instruction unless he has fairly and adequately
presented his position by an offered instruction or by
motion, or unless he makes objection before the court
instructs the jury, stating specifically the matter to which
he objects and the ground or grounds of his objection.
Objections to jury instructions in a motion for judgment
notwithstanding the verdict are “too late” to preserve the argument for appeal.
Scudamore v. Horton, 426 S.W.2d 142, 146 (Ky. 1968). Furthermore, failure to
specifically object to any “not to exceed” amounts in “jury instructions or
tender[ed] proposed instructions” waives any later objection that the amounts were
excessive. Gibson v. Fuel Transport, Inc., 410 S.W.3d 56, 61 (Ky. 2013). In
Gibson, the cross-appellant’s objection to the award limit in its closing argument
did not preserve the argument for review. Id. Although the scenario in Gibson
differs, Scudamore made clear “CR 51 condemns such a practice and, in
consequence, we must hold they cannot now be heard on these matters.”
Scudamore, 426 S.W.2d at 146 (quoting Young v. De Bord, 351 S.W.2d 502, 503
(Ky. 1961)). The purpose of CR 51 is to “enable the trial court to consider
appellant’s theory.” Id.Here, Appellants did not object to the not to exceed amount for pain
and suffering damages until they filed the motion for judgment notwithstanding the
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verdict. In fact, Appellants’ tendered proposed instructions included the same
dollar amount in the instructions the circuit court presented to the jury. Because
Appellants did not contemporaneously object to the pain and suffering damages
amount, they waived any objection and failed to properly preserve this argument
for appeal. As such, we hold Appellants are not entitled to a new trial on pain and
suffering damages.
C. APPELLANTS ARE ENTITLED TO A RETRIAL ON PUNITIVE
DAMAGES ONLY.
Third, Appellants argue the punitive damages award must be vacated.
Appellants argue the circuit court erred in giving an instruction on punitive
damages, which we review for abuse of discretion. Zewoldi v. Transit Authority of
River City, 553 S.W.3d 841, 846 (Ky. App. 2018). Alternatively, Appellants argue
the circuit court failed to correctly state the law in its punitive damage instruction,
which we review de novo. Id. Appellants do not raise a constitutional challenge
that the $1 million award is excessive.
We begin our analysis with a review as to whether there was sufficient
evidence to warrant an instruction on punitive damages. In Saint Joseph
Healthcare, Inc. v. Thomas, 487 S.W.3d 864 (Ky. 2016), the Supreme Court of
Kentucky delineated “two different avenues for the recovery of punitive damages:
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one statutory and one under common law.” Id. at 870. First, “KRS[4] 411.184(2)
provides for the recovery of punitive damages ‘only upon proving, by clear and
convincing evidence, that the defendant from whom such damages are sought
acted toward the plaintiff with oppression, fraud or malice.’” Id. Second,
“punitive damages may also be awarded under the common law standard of ‘gross
negligence.’ Gross negligence means a ‘wanton or reckless disregard for the lives,
safety, or property of others.’” Id. (quoting Williams v. Wilson, 972 S.W.2d 260(Ky. 1998); Gibson, 410 S.W.3d at 59). As such, our Supreme Court stated
“punitive damages may be awarded, when the evidence satisfies either the
statutory standard of KRS 411.184(2), or the common law standard of gross
negligence.” Id.
However, when a plaintiff seeks punitive damages against an
employer for the actions of its employees, KRS 411.184(3) applies: “In no case
shall punitive damages be assessed against a principal or employer for the act of an
agent or employee unless such principal or employer authorized or ratified or
should have anticipated the conduct in question.”
To determine whether there was sufficient evidence for an instruction
on punitive damages against University Hospital, our analysis first requires us to
determine whether the hospital staff’s conduct “was sufficiently egregious to
4
Kentucky Revised Statutes.
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constitute gross negligence, the well-established common law standard for
awarding punitive damages of gross negligence.” University Medical Center, Inc.
v. Beglin, 375 S.W.3d 783, 793 (Ky. 2011). Then, we must determine “whether it
can be fairly found that University Hospital authorized, ratified, or reasonably
could have anticipated that conduct” as required by KRS 411.184(3). Beglin, 375
S.W.3d at 793.
Evidence at trial showed a “wanton or reckless disregard,” both
through the nurses’ actions and inactions and University Hospital’s failure to
provide adequate directions regarding sponge counts. There was significant
confusion among the nurses as to how to document the sponge counts. In general,
the nurses use a perioperative nursing record to document the surgical procedure.
That record has a place to document some but not all the sponge counts required by
University Hospital’s policy. The nursing record has nowhere to document sponge
counts that are supposed to occur at every break, lunch, and shift change. Nurse
Charlotte Crabtree, the circulating nurse during Boerste’s bypass surgery, testified
that the form “could be more thorough.” VR 12/3/2019 at 2:25:41-2:26:06.
Nurses also use a worksheet to track sponge counts, but that worksheet does not
become part of the medical record.
Dr. Verna Gibbs, a preeminent expert in retained foreign objects, who
is recognized by the Joint Commission which provides guidance to hospitals in
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preventing unintended retained foreign objects, refers them to her website “No
Thing Left Behind.” VR 12/6/19 at 10:24:41. She testified that the hospital nurses
had variable practices for sponge counts and no common language was used for
what they were doing. Id. at 11:40:00. She explained the “final” sponge count is
particularly problematic. University Hospital’s sponge count policy does not
address the “final count” at all. Id. at 11:45:55. The words “final count” do not
exist in the policy. Yet the electronic medical record has a place for the nurses to
“document that they did a final count.” Id. at 11:46:17. The “nurses variously
interpret what the final count is,” and “throughout all four of the workers” in this
surgery, “they all have a different interpretation of that.” Id. at 11:46:24. She
concluded that the hospital is setting the nurses up to fail. The electronic medical
record (which nurses must use to document) is not equal to what their policy
guidelines are. The second closing count is not defined, so nurses each interpret it
in their own way.
Nursing expert and educator, Cathy Kleiner, testified consistent with
Dr. Gibbs. She testified it was important for the worksheet to be used consistently
in the same way, so everyone knows what notations on the sheet mean. Although
University Hospital had a sponge count policy, it gave its nurses “directions on
how to use” the worksheet provided for sponge counts. VR 12/6/19 at 3:20:57.
Without directions, the nurses were left “to decide the best way to use” the
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worksheet. Id. at 3:21:00. If nurses are “doing things their own way, then I can’t
be sure of what was done for the patient or how it was done.” Id. at 3:22:10. The
nurses testified that they did not know what the other nurses’ markings on the
worksheet meant, which leaves the potential for exactly the typical critical error–an
error that never should have happened–that occurred in this case.
Appellants did not call an expert witness to refute this testimony. Dr.
Morris agreed that the failure, leaving the sponge in Boerste’s abdomen, was
potentially caused by the “system,” which he said meant “the counting mechanism
that was used that day.” VR 12/3/19 at 4:38:35-4:38:53.
The foregoing testimony supports a finding of gross negligence under
the common law standard of “wanton or reckless disregard” both through the
nurses’ actions and University Hospital’s failure to provide proper directions
regarding its sponge count policy. Thus, we turn to whether University Hospital
“authorized or ratified or should have anticipated the conduct in question” under
KRS 411.184(3).
Although Appellants argued below that KRS 411.184(3) applied, the
circuit court did not address this statute in its motion denying University Hospital’s
motion for partial summary judgment on punitive damages or in its order denying
University Hospital’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or,
alternatively, for a new trial. However, Boerste presented sufficient evidence that
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University Hospital should have reasonably anticipated a sponge might be left in a
patient when the worksheets provided to surgical teams did not include a place to
record all sponge counts required by its policy.
As there was sufficient evidence to provide an instruction on punitive
damages, we must address the language of the instruction. The circuit court
instructed the jury that it could award punitive damages upon a finding that
University Hospital, “by and through its nursing staff and employees . . . , acted
with wanton or reckless disregard for the life and/or wellbeing of Carolyn
Boerste.” Record at 4381.
The punitive damages instruction did not include the KRS 411.184(3)
language requiring a finding that University Hospital “authorized or ratified or
should have anticipated the conduct in question.” See Thomas, 487 S.W.3d 864;
Beglin, 375 S.W.3d 783. Thus, we hold the circuit court erred as a matter of law in
failing to include this language in the punitive damages instruction. On remand,
the circuit court must include either the common law or KRS 411.184(2) standard
for punitive damages and the KRS 411.184(3) language.
D. SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE SUPPORTS THE JURY’S FINDING OF
LIABILITY AGAINST DR. MORRIS.
Finally, Appellants argue the judgment against Dr. Morris must be
vacated because there was no evidence he deviated from the standard of care. Dr.
Morris preserved this issue during oral argument on his written motion for a
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directed verdict on punitive damages. Although Dr. Morris did not include this
argument in his written motion, he orally argued he should be granted a directed
verdict on the issue of liability. The circuit court granted Dr. Morris’s motion as to
punitive damages but denied it as to his liability. We review a circuit court’s
denial of a motion for directed verdict under the following standard:
When engaging in appellate review of a ruling on a
motion for directed verdict, the reviewing court must
ascribe to the evidence all reasonable inferences and
deductions which support the claim of the prevailing
party. Once the issue is squarely presented to the trial
judge, who heard and considered the evidence, a
reviewing court cannot substitute its judgment for that of
the trial judge unless the trial judge is clearly erroneous.
In reviewing the sufficiency of evidence, the appellate
court must respect the opinion of the trial judge who
heard the evidence. A reviewing court is rarely in as
good a position as the trial judge who presided over the
initial trial to decide whether a jury can properly consider
the evidence presented. Generally, a trial judge cannot
enter a directed verdict unless there is a complete absence
of proof on a material issue or if no disputed issues of
fact exist upon which reasonable minds could differ.
Where there is conflicting evidence, it is the
responsibility of the jury to determine and resolve such
conflicts, as well as matters affecting the credibility of
witnesses. The reviewing court, upon completion of a
consideration of the evidence, must determine whether
the jury verdict was flagrantly against the evidence so as
to indicate that it was reached as a result of passion or
prejudice. If it was not, the jury verdict should be
upheld.
Wright v. Carroll, 452 S.W.3d 127, 132 (Ky. 2014) (quoting Bierman v.
Klapheke, 967 S.W.2d 16, 18-19 (Ky. 1998)).
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Generally, “the plaintiff in a medical negligence case is required to
present expert testimony that establishes (1) the standard of skill expected of a
reasonably competent medical practitioner and (2) that the alleged negligence
proximately caused the injury.” Andrew v. Begley, 203 S.W.3d 165, 170 (Ky. App.
2006) (citing Johnson v. Vaughn, 370 S.W.2d 591, 596-97 (Ky. 1963); Reams v.
Stutler, 642 S.W.2d 586, 588 (Ky. 1982)). The expert opinion “must be based ‘on
reasonable medical probability and not speculation or possibility.’” Id. (quoting
Sakler v. Anesthesiology Associates, P.S.C., 50 S.W.3d 210, 213 (Ky. App. 2001)).
Here, Dr. Morris’s own testimony supported the jury’s finding that he
was negligent. He testified he relies on nurses regarding sponge counts, but he
does his own visual and tactile inspection of the abdominal cavity. Dr. Morris
agreed that the standard of care required him to keep track of the sponges before
closing. He testified that the surgeon and nurses are a team, and the entire team
did not count the sponges correctly when finishing the bypass surgery.
Boerste presented expert testimony from Dr. Martin Borhani, a
vascular surgeon. He testified Dr. Morris appropriately performed the surgery.
However, Dr. Borhani confirmed a surgery can be performed appropriately, the
surgeon can make a thorough examination of the wound, and a retained foreign
body can still occur. Dr. Borhani concluded that leaving the sponge in Boertste’s
abdomen breached the standard of care, and he could not say whether Dr. Morris
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or the nurses was more culpable. Although Dr. Borhani’s testimony supports Dr.
Morris’s contention that he appropriately performed the surgery and still left the
sponge in Boerste’s abdomen, this was evidence for the jury to weigh.
Boerste also presented the expert testimony of Dr. Gibbs, a general
surgeon. Dr. Gibbs confirmed Dr. Morris breached the standard of care when he
failed to discover the sponge in Boerste’s abdomen.
Appellants further argue that undisclosed, speculative, expert
testimony about renal vein anomaly should have been excluded. Dr. Borhani
concluded Dr. Morris appropriately performed the bypass surgery, but he then
opined Dr. Morris likely nicked Boerste’s renal vein during the procedure. He
testified this likely caused excess bleeding and indirectly led to the loss of the
sponge. Neither Dr. Gibbs nor Dr. Borhani testified Dr. Morris’s handling of
Boerste’s vein anomaly deviated from the standard of care.
Testimony on this topic arguably should have been excluded under
KRE5 403 and as improper speculation. However, Dr. Morris testified regarding
the standard of care, and he agreed that the standard of care required him, as the
surgeon, to keep track of sponges before closing the patient. His testimony alone
was sufficient for the jury to determine whether he breached the standard of care.
Thus, the admission of the improper speculation testimony was harmless error.
5
Kentucky Rules of Evidence.
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II. BOERSTE’S ARGUMENTS ON CROSS-APPEAL
On cross-appeal, Boerste argues the circuit court: (1) abused its
discretion in excluding evidence regarding “never events” and (2) erred in not
allowing counsel to discuss apportionment during opening statement and closing
argument.
A. ANY REFERENCE TO “NEVER EVENTS” SHOULD BE
EXCLUDED ON RETRIAL.
First, Boerste argues the circuit court abused its discretion in
excluding evidence of or reference to “never events.” University Hospital argues
the term is confusing, not found in Kentucky negligence law, and would mislead
the jury on standard of care. The hospital stipulated at the beginning of trial that
the sponge was left inside Boerste by mistake, and there was no dispute at trial that
a retained surgical sponge should never occur. Boerste argues in reply that there
was evidence this was a “never event,” and the associated Department of Health
and Human Services standard regarding “never events” was relevant and should
have been admitted. She asserts “never events” show foreseeability of this medical
error, the injury should have been anticipated, and would have assisted the jury in
assessing punitive damages.
Based on our review, the circuit court properly excluded this
evidence. It was not admissible as expert testimony under KRE 702 because it was
provided by unqualified witnesses. Furthermore, it was not admissible under KRE
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403 because, although arguably relevant, the “probative value” of testimony
regarding “never events” “is substantially outweighed by the danger of undue
prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury[.]” The jury did not need
this evidence to find Boerste was entitled to punitive damages, so evidence of and
reference to “never events” should be excluded on retrial.
B. APPORTIONMENT IS NOT RELEVANT TO THE ISSUE OF
PUNITIVE DAMAGES AND SHOULD BE EXCLUDED ON
RETRIAL.
Second, Boerste argues the circuit court erred in not allowing counsel
to discuss apportionment during opening statement and closing argument. This
issue is not relevant on a retrial for punitive damages against University Hospital.
Thus, it should be excluded.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm in part, reverse the judgment as
to punitive damages, and remand the case for a limited retrial on the issue of
punitive damages. We instruct the circuit court to include the language from KRS
411.184(3) in its punitive damages instruction.
ALL CONCUR.
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BRIEFS FOR APPELLANTS/ BRIEFS FOR APPELLEE/
CROSS-APPELLEES: CROSS-APPELLANT:
Karen L. Keith Kevin C. Burke
Amy L. Cooper Jamie K. Neal
Louisville, Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky
Griffin Terry Sumner James M. Bolus, Jr.
Allison W. Weyand Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Nicholas Mudd
Louisville, Kentucky
ORAL ARGUMENT FOR ORAL ARGUMENT FOR
APPELLANTS/CROSS- APPELLEE/CROSS-APPELLANT:
APPELLEES:
Jamie K. Neal
Griffin Terry Sumner Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Karen L. Keith
Louisville, Kentucky
-23-