Seminara, C. v. Dershaw, S. ( 2018 )

J-S29001-18
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
MELISSA SEMINARA AND CARMELO : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
SEMINARA : PENNSYLVANIA
:
Appellant :
:
:
v. :
:
: No. 3846 EDA 2017
STUART DERSHAW, M.D. JOHN :
STACK, M.D. HOLY REDEEMER :
WOMEN’S CARE OF MONTGOMERY :
COUNTY AND HOLY REDEEMER :
HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER. :
Appeal from the Order October 25, 2017
In the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County
Civil Division at No(s): No. 2014-31546
BEFORE: PANELLA, J., MURRAY, J., and STEVENS*, P.J.E.
MEMORANDUM BY PANELLA, J. FILED AUGUST 31, 2018
Melissa and Carmelo Seminara appeal pro se from the order entered in
the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, granting summary judgment
in favor of Stuart Dershaw, M.D., John Stack, M.D., Holy Redeemer Women’s
Care of Montgomery County, and Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center
(collectively, Appellees). We affirm.
The relevant facts and procedural history of this case are as follows. On
December 11, 2003, Mrs. Seminara underwent a cesarean section operation
(“C-section”) at Holy Redeemer Hospital and Medical Center. Mrs. Seminara
consulted with various medical professionals following the surgery,
complaining that she “didn’t feel normal.” The Seminaras’ Amended
____________________________________
* Former Justice specially assigned to the Superior Court.
J-S29001-18
Complaint, filed 7/20/15, at 9. Mrs. Seminara consulted with several doctors
about her illness, which she claimed presented symptoms including: “TIA mini
strokes, cerebral ischemia, brain injury, seizures, neuropathy, damage and
impairment in and to various organs, heart arrhythmias, frequent infections,
etc.” Id., at 13. Mrs. Seminara eventually became convinced her ailments
were due to a surgical sponge left inside of her body during her C-section,
which doctors were unable to confirm even after several radiological scans and
procedures.
On November 26, 2014, the Seminaras filed a pro se complaint asking
for a judgment of $20,000,000.00 against Appellees, based on the allegation
that a surgical sponge was left in Mrs. Seminara’s body during the C-section.
The Seminaras later filed an amended complaint, alleging negligence against
each Appellee based on the alleged failure to remove the sponge following the
operation, and for inadequate medical care thereafter. The amended
complaint also included Mr. Seminara’s loss of consortium claim. The
Seminaras also filed identical certificates of merit as to each Appellee, which
stated medical expert testimony was not necessary for prosecution of their
claims, based on the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur.
Appellees filed preliminary objections, which were sustained as to the
Seminaras’ claims of defamation and wanton conduct. Appellees then filed
answers and new matter. Following the discovery deadline, Appellees filed a
motion for summary judgment, alleging the Seminaras’ claims were barred by
the statute of limitations, and that the Seminaras failed to set forth a prima
-2-
J-S29001-18
facie claim of medical malpractice. The court granted the motion, and
dismissed the Seminaras’ claims. The Seminaras filed a timely notice of appeal
and complied with the dictates of Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b). This appeal is now before
us.
The Seminaras primarily argue that material disputed facts exist as to
whether the medical providers breached their duty of care. They assert
Appellees acted in bad faith by withholding relevant discovery information,
and thus sabotaging the Seminaras’ claims. Nevertheless, they claim they
provided sufficient evidence to show Appellees’ negligence, and that under the
doctrine of res ipsa loquitor, the Seminaras did not need to submit medical
expert testimony to support their claims.
The Seminaras also dispute the court’s finding that they failed to file
their complaint within the statute of limitations. They claim they were unaware
until 2012 of the surgical sponge left in Mrs. Seminara’s body following her C-
section. They request this Court vacate the trial court’s order granting
Appellees’ motion for summary judgment, and remand for a trial. We decline
to do so.
We review a challenge to the entry of summary judgment as follows.
[We] may disturb the order of the trial court only where it is
established that the court committed an error of law or abused its
discretion. As with all questions of law, our review is plenary.
In evaluating the trial court’s decision to enter summary
judgment, we focus on the legal standard articulated in the
summary judgment rule. The rule states that where there is no
genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to
relief as a matter of law, summary judgment may be entered.
-3-
J-S29001-18
Where the nonmoving party bears the burden of proof on an issue,
he may not merely rely on his pleadings or answers in order to
survive summary judgment. Failure of a non-moving party to
adduce sufficient evidence on an issue essential to his case and
on which he bears the burden of proof establishes the entitlement
of the moving party to judgment as a matter of law. Lastly, we
will review the record in the light most favorable to the nonmoving
party, and all doubts as to the existence of a genuine issue of
material fact must be resolved against the moving party.
E.R. Linde Constr. Corp. v. Goodwin, 68 A.3d 346, 349 (Pa. Super. 2013)
(citations omitted).
The statute of limitations for a medical malpractice action is two years.
See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5524. The discovery rule may toll the statute of limitations
where an injury or its cause is not known or reasonably knowable. See
Nicolaou v. Martin, 153 A.3d 383, 389 (Pa. Super. 2016). However, the
discovery rule will only toll the statute of limitations “until a plaintiff could
reasonably discover the cause of his injury in cases where the connection
between the injury and the conduct of another is not apparent.” Id. (citations
omitted).
The purpose of the discovery rule has been to exclude from the
running of the statute of limitations that period of time during
which a party who has not suffered an immediately ascertainable
injury is reasonably unaware he has been injured, so that he has
essentially the same rights as those who have suffered such an
injury.
Fine v. Checcio, 870 A.2d 850, 858 (Pa. 2005) (citation omitted).
A medical malpractice claim sounding in negligence requires proof of the
same elements as in an ordinary negligence claim. K.H. ex rel. H.S. v.
Kumar, 122 A.3d 1080, 1093 (Pa. Super. 2015). “[T]o prevail in a medical
-4-
J-S29001-18
malpractice action, a plaintiff must establish a duty owed by the physician to
the patient, a breach of that duty by the physician, that the breach was the
proximate cause of the harm suffered, and [that] the damages suffered were
a direct result of the harm.” Id. (citation omitted).
Our courts have held that because the complexities of the human
body place questions as to the cause of pain or injury beyond the
knowledge of the average layperson, a medical malpractice
plaintiff generally must produce the opinion of a medical expert to
demonstrate the elements of his cause of action.
Miller v. Sacred Heart Hosp., 753 A.2d 829, 833 (Pa. Super. 2000) (citation
and internal quotation marks omitted).
We have carefully reviewed the parties’ briefs, the certified record, the
relevant law, and the well-written opinion of the Honorable Richard P. Haaz,
and we conclude the Seminaras’ claims merit no relief. The trial court, in its
February 8, 2018 opinion, thoroughly reviewed the Seminaras’ claims
presented on appeal. The opinion accurately and comprehensively disposes of
those issues, with appropriate references to the record and without legal error.
Therefore, we affirm on that basis. See Trial Court Opinion, dated 2/8/18, at
1-15.
Order affirmed.
Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 8/31/18
-5-
2014-31546-0088 Opinion,
Circulated 08/28/2018 Page 1
10:08 AM
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION
MELISSA SEMINARA and
CARMELO SEMINARA
Plaintiffs No. 2014-31546
v. 3846 EDA 2017
STUART DERSHA W, M.D., JOHN ST ACK,
M.D., HOLY REDEEMER WOMENS CARE
OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY, and HOLY
REDEEMER HEALTH SYSTEM d/b/a HOLY
REDEEMER HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL
111 ��IP.Ql�IJll
2014-31546-0088 2/91201812:04 PM # 11650041
Rcpt#Z3325675 Fee:$0 .00 Opinion
11
CENTER Main (Public)
MonlCo Prothonotary
Defendants
OPINION
HAAZ,J. February 8, 2018
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Plaintiffs, Melissa Seminara (Mrs. Seminara) and Carmelo Seminara (Mr. Seminara),
appeal this court's October 27, 2017 Amended Order granting Defendants' summary judgment
motion and dismissing all claims against Defendants Stuart Dershaw, M.D., John Stack, M.D.,
Holy Redeemer Women's Care of Montgomery County (Holy Redeemer Women's Care), and
Holy Redeemer Health System (Holy Redeemer).
Plaintiffs filed a pro se Complaint on November 26, 2014. Plaintiffs then filed an
Amended Complaint on July 21, 2015 alleging that Defendants Stack and Dershaw, as agents of
Defendants Holy Reedemer Women's Care and Holy Redeemer, provided sub-standard medical
care by failing to remove a surgical sponge following Mrs. Seminara's cesarean section on
December 11, 2003 and by failing to provide adequate follow-up care. Plaintiff's Amended
1
/r
/
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 2
Complaint alleges four counts of negligence, one against each of the named defendants. The
Amended Complaint alleges that as a direct and proximate result of the sub-standard medical
care provided by Defendants, Mrs. Seminara suffered from "injuries and disability including but
not limited to [Transient Ischemic Attacks], cerebral ischemia, brain injury, seizures, neuropathy,
damage and impairment in and to various organs, heart arrhythmias, frequent infections, etc."
(Amended Complaint 1 4.2). The Amended Complaint also includes a claim of loss of
consortium on behalf of Mr. Seminara. (Amended Complaint 13.13).
On June 12, 2015, Plaintiffs filed four certificates of merit regarding each of the four
Defendants. All four of these certificates of merit state that "the expert testimony of an
appropriate licensed professional is unnecessary for prosecution of the claim against this
defendant. I am basing my response on re[s] ipsa loquitur."
Defendants' preliminary objections to claims of defamation and "wanton" conduct in the
Amended Complaint were sustained on December 3, 2015. On December 23, 2015, all four
Defendants filed Answers and New Matters, with Holy Redeemer and Holy Redeemer Women's
Care filing jointly. On June 28, 2016, the court entered an order setting a discovery deadline of
January 1, 2017.
Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment on July 20, 2017. Plaintiffs filed a
response to the motion on July 28, 2017. The court granted Defendants' motions for summary
judgment on October 25, 2017. The court entered an amended order granting Defendants'
motions and stating specifically that all claims against all Defendants were dismissed on October
27, 2017.
On November 17, 2017 Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal to the Superior Court. On
November 20, 2017 the court entered an order directing Plaintiffs to file a concise statement of
2
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 3
errors complained of on appeal pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. l 925(b). On December 7, 2017 Plaintiffs
filed a statement of matters complained of on appeal setting forth the following issues:
Did the [trial court] err by giving absolutely no basis or reasoning for granting Summary
Judgment for Defendant and dismissing case? Plaintiff is left with only option to try and cover
every issue in Summary Judgment so that all non-documented questions/issues on this statement
are not waived. Does it set a precedent against Plaintiff to grant waiver using a question not
listed on their statement of issues?
Did the [trial court] err in dismissing this case for insufficient evidence where a preponderance
of admissible and inferred evidence showed that Defendants left a foreign body sponge in
Plaintiff Melissa Seminara during a C-section, especially where a Jury or layman would have
concluded that? Was it an error in claiming Res lpsa Loquitor could not be applied or that it
should be dismissed because an expert witness was not furnished? The [trial court] erred, all
requirements of Res lpsa were met. It also meets the exception as it relates to the Discovery rule.
Did the [trial court] err in finding that there was no genuine issue as to any material fact for a
jury to consider and that Defense was entitled to Judgment as a matter of law under PA Rule
1035.2? Was it error in dismissing this case for insufficient evidence where the Plaintiff
established prima facie evidence? The trial court erred as a matter of fact by assuming Plaintiff
Melissa Seminara was not injured due to Medical Malpractice and the negligence of Defendants,
regardless of evidence and material fact in file along with a layman's ability to see the error and
dismissing all claims. (Similar to above but covering separately prima facie ).
Did the [trial court] err in granting Summary Judgment for Defense either without regard for or
review of Plaintiffs Answer in Opposition to Motion for Summary Judgment and then Amended
Order 2 days later to include it? Why wasn't a hearing scheduled?
Did the [trial court] err in granting Summary Judgment for Defense and ignoring Statute of
Limitations Requirements, Statute of Repose and Discovery Rule as it applies to Foreign Bodies?
Additionally, for failure to not recognize Plaintiffs continuing quest for treatment and diagnosis,
despite doctors repeatedly diagnosing and undiagnosing her?
Did the [trial court] err in not allowing Plaintiff their due right to trial by Jury? The trial court
erred by depriving them of their rights to an impartial hearing by a jury and Judge. Regardless of
the minimal amount of Medical Malpractice claims allowed to go through in Montgomery
County and much smaller amount with a fair chance at winning, Plaintiff is still entitled to a fair
trial.
3
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 4
Did the [trial court] err and show prejudice against Pro se Plaintiff? Pro se Plaintiff was warned
they had to meet all the requirements of the case and has done that but feels trial court granted
Summary Judgment for Defense slighting the Plaintiff with the opportunity of presenting case to
a jury. The trial court erred by denying same treatment, fairness and access to the legal system
and jury trial that someone with an attorney would be ensured of.
Did the [trial court] err when it failed to adhere to the law of the case when it granted Summary
Judgment in favor of the Defendants and against Plaintiffs on essentially all the same arguments
the court had denied Preliminary Objections and Motions to Dismiss?
Did the [trial court] err in granting Defense Summary Judgment and overlook Defense's
complete failure to cooperate and tum over requested Discovery and Documentation to
Plaintiffs? The [trial court] erred by not finding Defendants violated the rules of the case and
denying the Plaintiffs their right to Discovery and Documentation to be provided. It should also
be noted that issue is taken to the fact that Order of Summary Judgment (first one) was given one
day prior to the end of the 30-day period Plaintiff gave Defense for Documentation Production
and Interrogatories before they stated Motion was to be filed. This had been after 3 requests (all
of which were filed with court as well).
It is also Plaintiffs stance that court erred in allowing Defendants to not have to bear any weight
of Burden of Proof when the law clearly states they should.
(Alterations in original).
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Mrs. Seminara underwent a cesarean section on December 11, 2003 which was
performed by Defendant Dershaw of Holy Redeemer Women's Care at Holy Redeemer.
(Amended Cornplaint j'[ 3.2, 3.4, 3.5; Mrs. Seminara Dep. at 22:11-14). Plaintiffs allege that
Defendant Dershaw negligently failed to remove a surgical sponge and other surgical materials
from Mrs. Seminara's body following the surgery. (Amended Complaint f 3.3). Plaintiffs allege
that Defendant Stack, also of Holy Redeemer Women's Care at Holy Redeemer, provided sub-
standard medical care by delaying the procedure, causing it to be rushed, failing to employ
proper "storage, handling, and counting of sponges, gauze and other surgical materials prior to
4
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 5
their use in cesarean surgery" and then providing subs-standard follow-up care. (Amended
Complaint 112,3,4,5 of Negligence Count against Defendant Stack).
A few days after the surgery Mrs. Seminara noticed she was not recovering as expected.
(Answer to Motion , 20). Plaintiffs repeatedly insisted that "it didn't feel normal and [Mrs.
Seminara] was not progressing positively or improving." (Amended Complaint 1 5 of
Negligence Count against Defendant Dershaw). Mrs. Seminara testified that "in the beginning
... my husband was trying to figure out what went wrong." (Mrs. Seminara Dep. at 22:23-24).
On February 4, 2004, Mrs. Seminara underwent an MRI which she alleges showed a
retained sponge in her abdomen. (Answer to Motion, 28; Answer to Motion Ex. "B"). The
radiologist at the time indicated to her that the MRI image was a tampon. (Mrs. Seminara Dep.
at 49:6-11; 149:3-8). Mrs. Seminara stated she did not believe this because the object was not in
the vaginal region, though it is unclear at what point she came to this conclusion. (Mrs.
Seminara Dep. at 49:9-11 ).
On December 9, 2005, Plaintiffs filed a Writ of Summons against Defendants Holy
Redeemer Women's Care and Holy Redeemer alleging medical malpractice. (Motion Ex. "F").
Mr. Seminara testified that this action was related to the allegedly sub-standard medical care that
these Defendants provided during Mrs. Seminara's cesarean section in 2003. (Mr. Seminara
Dep. at 93:6-9). Mr. Seminara also testified that Plaintiffs filed the Writ of Summons in 2005 to
ensure their time to file a claim within the period prescribed by the applicable statute of
limitations did not lapse. (Mr. Seminara Dep. at 92: 13-20). Plaintiffs never filed a complaint in
that action and a judgment of non pros was ultimately entered on April 10, 2006. (December
term, 2005, Case No. 1038, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas).
s
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 6
In January or February 2009, Mrs. Seminara observed a note from Dr. Michael Birbaum,
a reproductive endocrinologist, to Dr. Reid-Fighera, a rheumatologist, suggesting she may have a
retained sponge inside her abdomen. (Mrs. Seminara Dep. at 26:18-27:23; 30:6; 39:1-8; Motion
Ex. "Z"). Plaintiff discussed this with Dr. Kaufman, her infectious disease physician, whom
Plaintiff claims did not believe she had a retained sponge. (Mrs. Seminara Dep. at 39:20-24).
Later in 2009 Mrs. Seminara's primary care physician, Dr. Douglas Kimmel, referred her to Dr.
Ernest Rosato at the University of Pennsylvania to further investigate the possibility of a retained
foreign body from the cesarean section. (Id. at 79:8-23). Plaintiff testified that after performing
"one, maybe two scans" Dr. Rosato concluded that there was no foreign body in Mrs. Seminara.
(Id. at 80:3-84:11).
Mrs. Seminara then consulted with another obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Saul Jeck, in
2010 as she pursued her investigation of a retained sponge. (Id at 85: 18-86:20). After
performing some radiological studies, Dr. Jeck was unable to confirm the presence of a retained
sponge. (Id. at 99:2-20).
In May 2010, Mrs. Seminara was evaluated by Dr. Ehab Akkary, a surgeon specializing
in retained foreign bodies. (Id. at 101:4-102:24). Dr. Akkary evaluated Mrs. Seminara's prior
radiological studies as well as a recent CT scan that was ordered for a suspected hemangioma.
(Motion Ex. "Q," Dr. Akkary's post-operative report). On November 16, 2010, Dr. Akk.ary
performed a laparoscopic exploratory surgery to remove the mass on the "posterior aspect of the
right lobe of the liver" he suspected to be a hemangioma. Id Dr. Akkary informed Mrs.
Seminara that "this might not be a retained sponge, and that all of the studies are consistent with
a hemangioma, however, if the hemangioma is symptomatic ... and affecting her quality of life,
6
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 7
then it will be reasonable to excise it." Id. During the surgery Dr. Akkary cut a vein that was
emerging from the mass and had to use surgical staples to stop the bleeding. Id.
The pathology report of the excised mass indicated that it was not a sponge. (Motion Ex.
"R"; Mrs. Seminara Dep. at 130:17-133:15). Mrs. Seminara testified that Dr. Akkary later
contradicted himself on this point, but there is nothing in the record to indicate that. (Mrs.
Seminara Dep. at 130: 17-20).
On March 8, 2011, Mrs. Seminara underwent surgery to remove her gall bladder which
was performed by Dr. Luca Giordano. (Motion Ex. "T"). Surgical clips were used during this
surgery and a follow-up CT scan performed on March 15, 2011 showed that these clips remained
"along the posterior margin of the right hepatic lobe." (Motion Ex. "U").
On November 26, 2012, Mrs. Seminara underwent an exploratory laparotomy which was
performed by Dr. Michael Wayne. (Motion Ex. "W"; Ex. "X"). Dr. Wayne's operative report
indicates that he removed "staple material" and "metallic clips." (Motion Ex. "X"). The
subsequent pathology report indicates that the material removed was soft tissue, the largest piece
having staple material inside. (Motion Ex. "Y"). The final diagnosis in the pathology report
indicates "[pjerihepatic foreign body; [f]ibroadipose tissue with staples and old hemorrhage." Id.
Although Mrs. Seminara stated Dr. Wayne told her he found a sponge during a follow-up visit,
this statement is not reflected in any of the records. (Mrs. Seminara Dep. at 215: 1-216:21 ).
Plaintiff filed the instant action on November 26, 2014.
DISCUSSION
A motion for summary judgment shall be granted if the documents of record show there
is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law. Pa.R.C.P. 1035.2(1); Bank of America, NA. v. Gibson, 102 A.3d 462, 465 (Pa.
7
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 8
Super. 2014). The court must restrict its review to material filed in support of and in opposition
to the motion for summary judgment and to uncontroverted allegations in the pleadings.
Pa.R.C.P. I 035.1; Overly v. Kass, 554 A.2d 970, 972 (Pa. Super. 1989). "Parties seeking to
avoid the entry of summary judgment against them may not rest upon averments contained in
their pleadings; rather, they are required to show, by depositions, answers to interrogatories,
admissions or affidavits that there is a genuine issue for trial].]" Overly, supra, 554 A.2d at 972.
"[Wjhere the non-moving party fails to adduce sufficient evidence to establish the existence of
an element essential to his case and on which he bears the burden of proof, then the moving party
is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Ertel v. Patriot-News Co., 674 A.2d 1038, 1042 (Pa.
1996).
An action to recover damages for personal injuries has a two-year statute of limitations.
42 Pa.C.S.A. § 5524. "Generally, a cause of action first accrues when a party is injured,"
however, "[t]he discovery rule is a judicially created exception that tolls the running of the
applicable statute of limitations when an injury or its cause was not known or reasonably
knowable ... If the injured party could not ascertain he was injured and by what cause within the
limitations period, 'despite the exercise of reasonable diligence,' then the discovery rule is
appropriate." Nicolaou v. Martin, 153 A.3d 383, 389 (Pa. Super. 2016) (quoting Simon v. Wyeth
Pharm, Inc., 989 A.2d 356, 365 (Pa. Super. 2009)). The burden is on the party invoking the
discovery rule, in this case Plaintiffs, to show that they acted with reasonable diligence in
determining the fact and cause of the injury but were unable to ascertain it. Id "[T]here must be
some reason to awaken inquiry and direct diligence in the channel in which it would be
successful. This is what is meant by reasonable diligence." Id. at 391 (quoting Fine v. Checcio,
D.D.S., 870 A.2d 850, 858 (Pa. 2005)). "[O]nce the plaintiff becomes aware of the injury and
8
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 9
who occasioned ii, she is under a duty to investigate the matter and commence a cause of
action." Caro v. Glah, 867 A.2d 531, 534 (Pa. Super. 2004) (quoting Burton-Lister v. Sigel,
Sivitz and Lebed Assoc., 798 A.2d 231, 237 (Pa. Super. 2002)) (emphasis in original).
Here, Plaintiffs did not commence a cause of action until November 26, 2014.
Accordingly, it is necessary to examine the undisputed facts of record to determine if Mrs.
Seminara could not ascertain she was injured and by what cause despite the exercise of due
diligence before November 26, 2012. Mrs. Seminara claims she had no notice of the cause of
her injury until the exploratory laparotomy performed by Dr. Wayne on November 26, 2012.
This is belied by the undisputed facts of record. Mrs. Seminara alleges she was not recovering
properly almost immediately after her 2003 cesarean section and suspected that Defendants had
deviated from the standard of care. The pain in her abdomen was severe enough to cause her to
undergo an MRI on February 4, 2004 to investigate her concern. Plaintiffs then filed a Writ of
Summons in 2005 alleging medical malpractice which Mr. Seminara testified was related to the
cesarean section. 1 Plaintiffs were aware of the injury and had formed a belief that Defendants
had caused it by 2005. Though Plaintiffs may not have known the exact cause of the injury, they
commenced an action which allowed them to utilize discovery procedures to investigate further
details. The discovery rule does not toll the statute of limitations all the way to the point where a
plaintiff knows the precise medical cause of her injury. Groover v. Riddle Mem 'l Hosp., 516
A.2d 53, 57 (Pa. 1986).
In Groover, plaintiff received an injection in her right buttock while in the hospital
sometime between March 25, 1979 and April 3, 1979. From the time of the injection plaintiff
began to suffer pain and loss of control in her right leg. She consulted with various doctors over
the next several years in an attempt to ascertain the problem with her leg. None of these doctors
1
December term, 2005, Case No. 1038, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas; see also Mr. Seminara Dep. at 93:6-9.
9
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 10
were able to diagnose the source of the problem. In June 1983, a doctor informed her that the
pain in her leg was due to a sciatic nerve injury caused by the injection she received in 1979. On
September 3, 1983, plaintiff filed suit against the hospital and the physician who applied the
injection. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of defendants finding that the
claim was filed beyond the statute of limitations.
Plaintiff appealed and argued that the statute of limitations was tolled by the discovery
rule on the grounds that various doctors were unable to identify the cause of her injury until June
1983. The superior court affirmed the trial court's grant of summary judgment finding that the
statute of limitations began to accrue the day plaintiff received the painful debilitating injection.
The superior court reasoned that plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known that she was
injured and that the injury "was occasioned by a discrete medical procedure." Id. (quoting Held
v. Neft, 507 A.2d 839, 841 (Pa. Super. 1986)).
Here, Mrs. Seminara began to investigate the specific possibility of a retained sponge
related to her 2003 cesarean section in 2009. Mrs. Seminara reviewed a note in 2009 from Dr.
Birbaum which suggested she may have a retained sponge. She then consulted with Dr. Kimmel,
Dr. Kaufman and Dr. Rosato later in 2009 regarding her concern of a retained sponge. She
consulted with Dr. Jeck and Dr. Akkary in 2010 about a retained sponge. These undisputed facts
all occurred four or more years before she commenced suit in 2014 claiming negligence arising
from a retained sponge from her 2003 cesarean section. Although Mrs. Seminara consulted with
a number of doctors who informed her she did not have a retained sponge, the discovery rule did
not toll the statute of limitations simply because Mrs. Seminara's subsequent treating physicians
did not know the cause of her injuries. See, e.g., Groover, supra, 516 A.2d at 57. Mrs. Seminara
may not have been certain of the exact foreign body allegedly in her abdomen by 2009, but she
10
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 11
did have knowledge of her injury, a belief as to the operative cause of her injury and a belief as
to the causal relationship between her injury and the operative conduct. See Bigansky v. Thomas
Jefferson Univ. Hosp., 658 A.2d 423, 427 (Pa. 1995).
Plaintiffs filed the original complaint on November 26, 2014, almost eleven years after
her cesarean section performed in 2003. The undisputed facts established she specifically
investigated her belief regarding a retained foreign body in 2009 and 2010. Where "reasonable
minds would not differ in finding that a party knew or should have known on the exercise of
reasonable diligence of his injury and its cause, the court determines that the discovery rule does
not apply as a matter of law." Fine, supra, 870 A.2d at 858. In the instant matter, the court
properly found that Plaintiffs' claim was filed years beyond the statute of limitations as a matter
oflaw and summary judgment in favor of Defendants was appropriate.
Additionally, the court finds in this case Plaintiffs were required to produce an expert
report or testimony and that the lack of such an expert was fatal to their claim. "Medical
malpractice consists of a negligent or unskillful performance by a physician of the duties which
are devolved and incumbent upon him on account of his relations with his patients, or of a want
of proper care and skill in the performance of a professional act." Quinby v. Plumsteadville
Family Practice, Inc., 907 A.2d l 061, l 070 (Pa. 2006). Since medical malpractice is a form of
negligence, Plaintiffs were required to demonstrate the elements of a negligence action: a duty
owed by the physician to the patient, a breach of that duty, that the breach was the proximate
cause of Plaintiffs' harm and that the damages suffered were a direct result of that harm. Id
Further, "[wjith all but the most self-evident medical malpractice actions there is also the added
requirement that plaintiff must provide a medical expert who will testify as to the elements of
duty, breach, and causation." Id. at 1070- 71.
11
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 12
Here, Plaintiffs provided no such expert but claim that the doctrine of res ipsa loquitor
applies in this case which would allow a jury to infer negligence from the circumstances
surrounding the injury. Res ipsa loquitor is "a rule that provides that a plaintiff may satisfy his
burden of producing evidence of a defendant's negligence by proving that he has been injured by
a casualty of a sort that normally would not have occurred in the absence of the defendant's
negligence." Id. at 1071. Its applicability is not precluded by the mere fact that the negligence is
related to a medical problem. Id. at 1072. In this case, however, res ipsa loquitor is not
applicable.
The Supreme Court has formulated the evidentiary doctrine of res ipsa loquitor, in
pertinent part, as follows:
(1) It may be inferred that harm suffered by the plaintiff is caused
by negligence of the defendant when
(a) the event is of a kind which ordinarily does not occur in the
absence of negligence;
(b) other responsible causes, including the conduct of the plaintiff
and third persons, are sufficiently eliminated by the evidence;
and
( c) the indicated negligence is within the scope of the defendant's
duty to the plaintiff.
[Id. at l 071 (quoting Restatement (Second) of Torts§ 3280).]
Ordinarily, a surgical sponge left in a patient would allow a fact-finder to infer
negligence without the requirement of expert testimony. Mrs. Seminara consulted with many
medical experts following her cesarean section. Those physicians could not agree that she had
retained a foreign body from the procedure, or even that she had retained a foreign body at all.
Her doctors disputed how to interpret the various radiological scans that she underwent. The
pathology report following the November 26, 2012 surgery with Dr. Wayne did not indicate the
12
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 13
removed tissue was a surgical sponge. It is not "self-evident" that a sponge was left in Mrs.
Seminara as a result of her 2003 procedure or whether the material extracted by Dr. Wayne was
related to her 2003 cesarean section as opposed to Mrs. Seminara's 2010 surgery with Dr.
Akkary or to her 2011 surgery to remove her gallbladder with Dr. Giordano. The determination
of exactly what material was found and the necessary causal link between any retained foreign
body and her 2003 cesarean section is not self-evident, requires expert testimony and cannot be
reasonably inferred from the surrounding circumstances. This is especially true due to the
passage of significant time and two subsequent surgeries to her abdominal region. Simply stated,
other responsible causes, including the conduct of third parties, cannot be sufficiently eliminated
by the circumstances without expert testimony. Id. Res ipsa loquitor does not apply to the
factual record in this case.
Further, Plaintiffs are also required to present expert testimony to show the harm she
suffered was a factual cause of the alleged retained foreign body from 2003. It is not self-evident
that Mrs. Seminara's transient ischemic attacks, cerebral ischemia, brain injury, seizures,
neuropathy, damage and impairment in and to various organs, heart arrhythmias, and frequent
infections were causally related to any alleged negligence.2 In a medical malpractice action
expert testimony as to causation is required unless there is an "obvious causal relationship."
Grossman v. Barke, 868 A.2d 561, 567 (Pa. Super. 2005) (quoting Matthews v. Clarion Hosp.,
742 A.2d 1111, 1112 (Pa. Super 1999)). "An obvious causal relationship exists where the
injuries are either an 'immediate and direct' or the 'natural and probable' result of the alleged
negligent act." Id. (quoting Matthews, supra, 742 A.2d at 1112). Here, the causal relationship
between the harm Mrs. Seminara suffered and the alleged retained foreign body is not obvious
and expert testimony was required to establish it.
2
See Amended Complaint ,i 4.2, setting forth the injuries she claims were caused by the retained sponge.
13
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 14
In Grossman, plaintiff was consulting with a physician to obtain a pre-examination for a
knee replacement. Plaintiff was sixty-nine years old, just over five feet tall, weighed
approximately 300 pounds and suffered from diabetes. At the time of the consultation plaintiff
had sutures in her ankle from a previous surgical procedure. Plaintiff was sitting on the
examination table as defendant left the room to get a suture removal kit when plaintiff became
dizzy, fell from the table and fractured her pelvis. The fractured pelvis required several
surgeries. Plaintiff suffered complications including a bacterial infection which ultimately
required the removal of her hip. Plaintiffs medical expert testified that plaintiffs case was "one
of basic negligence as opposed to medical malpractice." Id at 564. The trial court granted
defendant's motion for summary judgment because plaintiff did not present the requisite expert
medical testimony to prove her claim of medical malpractice. Plaintiff appealed and the superior
held that expert testimony was required to establish both a deviation from the standard of care
and the causal relationship between plaintiff's injuries and the alleged negligence. Id. at 571.
The superior court found that the causal relationship between the harm suffered by
plaintiff in Grossman, the fracture of plaintiffs pelvis and the bacterial infection leading to the
eventual removal of plaintiffs hip, was neither "immediate and direct" nor the "natural and
probable" result of the alleged negligent act. Id. The same is true here. A lay juror would
require the aid of expert medical testimony to conclude that Mrs. Seminara's claimed injuries of
transient ischemic attacks, cerebral ischemia, brain injury, seizures, neuropathy, damage and
impairment in and to various organs, heart arrhythmias and frequent infections were caused by a
retained surgical sponge or foreign body. Such a causal relationship, if one exists, is not
obvious.
CONCLUSION
14
2014-31546-0088 Opinion, Page 15
Accordingly, the court respectfully recommends that its October 27, 2017 Amended
Order granting summary judgment in favor of Defendants be AFFIRMED.
BY THE COURT
II
I
J
Copies sent onJ/t)1dto:
Melissa Seminara, pro se
Carmelo Seminara, pro se
Amalia V. Romanowicz, Esquire
Albert Bryan Tomlinson, Esquire
cL-c�__,____?t.3�-�
Court Administration
'
Secretary
15