Darlene Stanford, Individually, and Jack M. Thomas, M.D., D/B/A Cosmetic Skin Laser and Hair Removal of Greenville v. Randy Cannon ( 2011 )

In The
Court of Appeals
Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana
______________________________
No. 06-11-00011-CV
______________________________
DARLENE STANFORD, INDIVIDUALLY, AND
JACK M. THOMAS, M.D., D/B/A COSMETIC SKIN LASER
AND HAIR REMOVAL OF GREENVILLE, Appellants
V.
RANDY CANNON, Appellee
On Appeal from the County Court at Law No. 2
Hunt County, Texas
Trial Court No. CC1000321
Before Morriss, C.J., Carter and Moseley, JJ.
Memorandum Opinion by Justice Moseley
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This is an interlocutory appeal from an order denying the motion of the defendants,
Darlene Stanford and Jack M. Thomas, M.D., to dismiss the suit against them pursuant to Section
74.351(b) of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code due to the failure of Randy Cannon to
file an expert report in a suit involving a health care liability claim. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE
ANN. § 74.351(b) (West 2011). 1 Stanford and Thomas argue that the trial court abused its
discretion in finding that the suit of Cannon did not involve health care liability claims and,
therefore, no expert report was required to be filed. We reverse the judgment and remand to the
trial court for further proceedings.
I. Background and Procedural Posture
In July 2008, Cannon sought cosmetic laser hair removal from his genitalia. As a
predicate to receiving the laser hair removal treatment, Cannon filled out a medical history form
and a consent form explaining the mode of action of the treatment, the proposed benefits of
treatment, the probability of success and the possible complications of treatment. The consent
form stated, ―I consent to allow the medical personnel at Cosmetic Skin Laser & Hair Removal of
Greenville under the supervision and control of Jack Thomas M.D. to perform Laser Hair Removal
with the CoolGlide™ Nd-Yag Laser.‖ Cannon‘s signature appears on a line under which he is
designated as ―Patient.‖ Thomas signed and dated notes (written by Stanford) in Cannon‘s file.
1
See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 51.014(a)(9) (West 2008) (providing interlocutory appeal from order
denying relief sought by motion under Section 74.351(b)).
2
The first set of notes, dated June 19, 2008, indicate that Stanford ―called Dr. Birken to verify
settings for this particular area. Dr. Birken advises to use settings specific to his skin type without
tanning.‖ The notes then relate that, ―Mr. Cannon is uncomfortable but insists that he is okay. I
advised him not to expose the area to any other kind of heat for 24 hours (hot bath, hot tub, tanning
beds, etc.) Should a blister come up, apply a topical burn ointment such as polysporin.‖
Cannon returned for a second laser hair removal treatment on July 24, 2008. Once again,
Stanford‘s notes regarding this second session are signed by Thomas. The notes indicate that
―Mr. Cannon is not pleased with the results of his first treatment. . . . He asked that I use a
stronger setting. I told him that I would not use a stronger setting but I would use a different
attachment. . . . I explained that this could be more painful. . . . During the treatment
Mr. Cannon was uncomfortable and his eyes watered. . . . After the treatment, I advised him to
apply cold packs to the area and not to expose it to any heat for 24 hours . . . .‖
Cannon filed a lawsuit against Stanford and Thomas wherein he alleged that as a result of
the laser procedures administered by Stanford, Cannon suffered scarring of and second-degree
burns to his penis and scrotum. While the consent form indicated the procedures would be
accomplished under Thomas‘ supervision and control, the petition makes no allegation that
Thomas participated in the procedure. Rather, the petition alleges:
E. NEGLIGENCE
4. At the time of the incident, Defendant Darlene Stanford, was negligent in
her operation of the hair removal equipment. Defendant had a duty to
3
exercise ordinary care and operate the laser reasonably and prudently.
Defendant breached that duty in one or more of the following ways:
a. Failure to skillfully and properly use the laser device;
b. Failing to stop the laser treatment in a timely manner.
F. VICARIOUS LIABILITY
5. At the time of the laser hair removal on Plaintiff Randy Cannon, Dr. Jack
M. Thomas was the owner of Cosmetic Skin Laser & Hair Removal of
Greenville, (―Cosmetic Skin Laser‖), located in Greenville, TX. As the
owner of the facility, and as supervising physician of the facility, Dr. Jack
Thomas was vicariously liability [sic] for the negligent actions of
Defendant Darlene Stanford.
When Cannon failed to file an expert report within 120 days of the filing of the suit in
conformity with Section 74.351(b) of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Stanford and
Thomas (referred to hereafter collectively as Stanford) filed a motion to dismiss. See TEX. CIV.
PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 74.351(a), (b) (West 2011). Cannon responded by asserting that his
was not a health care liability lawsuit, maintaining that, rather, his claims were governed by a
standard of ordinary care and were claims for common-law negligence, with Thomas being
vicariously liable (as the owner of the clinic) for the damages inflicted on him by Stanford. The
trial court determined that Cannon‘s claims were not health care liability claims and denied
Stanford‘s motion to dismiss. Stanford filed this interlocutory appeal. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM.
CODE ANN. § 51.014(a)(9).
4
The sole issue on appeal is whether Cannon‘s claims are health care liability claims (which
would require him to file an expert report within the specified time), or whether his claims are
brought only as an ordinary negligence claim (in which case, Cannon was not obliged to file such
a report).
II. Analysis
A. Standard of Review
Generally, we review a trial court‘s ruling on a motion to dismiss for failure to timely file
an expert report under Section 74.351(a) of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code under an
abuse of discretion standard. Rittenhouse v. Sabine Valley Ctr. Found., Inc., 161 S.W.3d 157,
163 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2005, no pet.). However, when the resolution of this issue requires
the interpretation of a statute, review is conducted under a de novo standard. Vanderwerff v.
Beathard, 239 S.W.3d 406, 408 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2007, no pet.). In determining whether
Cannon‘s claim is a health care liability claim for the purpose of applying Chapter 74 of the Texas
Civil Practice and Remedies Code, we apply a de novo standard of review. Omaha Healthcare
Ctr., L.L.C. v. Johnson, 246 S.W.3d 278, 281 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2008, pet. filed); Boothe v.
Dixon, 180 S.W.3d 915, 919 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2005, no pet.); cf. Garland Cmty. Hosp. v. Rose,
156 S.W.3d 541, 543–44 (Tex. 2004) (under predecessor statute, essentially conducting de novo
review, though not stating standard).
5
B. Applicable Law
Section 74.351(a) provides a health care liability claimant must file an expert report and a
curriculum vitae of the expert within 120 days after filing the claim. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM.
CODE ANN. § 74.351(a). If a required expert report has not been served by the 120-day deadline,
on proper motion by the defendant, the trial court is required to dismiss the action with prejudice
and award reasonable attorney‘s fees and court costs incurred by the defendant. TEX. CIV. PRAC.
& REM. CODE ANN. § 74.351(b). Section 74.351(a) applies only to health care liability claims.
Jones v. Christus Health Ark-La-Tex, 141 S.W.3d 790, 792, 793 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2004, no
pet.).
A ―[h]ealth care liability claim‖ means
a cause of action against a health care provider or physician for treatment, lack of
treatment, or other claimed departure from accepted standards of medical care, or
health care, or safety or professional or administrative services directly related to
health care, which proximately results in injury to or death of a claimant, whether
the claimant‘s claim or cause of action sounds in tort or contract.
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 74.001(a)(13) (West 2011). ―Health care‖ is defined as
any act or treatment performed or furnished, or that should have been performed or
furnished, by any health care provider for, to, or on behalf of a patient during the
patient‘s medical care, treatment, or confinement.
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 74.001(a)(10) (West 2011).
In determining whether Cannon asserted a health care liability claim, we must examine the
underlying nature of the claim. Rose, 156 S.W.3d at 543; Parker v. CCS/Meadow Pines, Inc., 166
6
S.W.3d 509, 512 (Tex. App.––Texarkana 2005, no pet.). A health care liability claim cannot be
recast as another cause of action in an attempt to avoid the expert report requirement. Diversicare
Gen. Partner, Inc. v. Rubio, 185 S.W.3d 842, 851 (Tex. 2005). We are not bound by the form of
the pleading. Id. at 847. When the essence of the suit is a health care liability claim, a party
cannot avoid the requirements of the statute through artful pleading. Rose, 156 S.W.3d at 543;
see Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192 (Tex. 2010) (unchallenged holding that claims
encompassing physician‘s safety advice to water park were health care liability claims required
dismissal of all claims arising from same facts on theory of improper claim-splitting). In
determining whether a claim is a health care liability claim, we consider whether testimony from a
medical or health care professional is necessary to prove the claim. Rubio, 185 S.W.3d at 848,
851. However, a claim may be a health care liability claim even if it does not require expert
testimony to prevail at trial. See Murphy v. Russell, 167 S.W.3d 835, 838 (Tex. 2005).
C. Cannon’s Claims
Here, applying Chapter 74, we determine the hairy question of whether Cannon‘s claims in
this case are health care liability claims by analyzing whether his cause of action is for ―treatment,
lack of treatment, or other claimed departure from accepted standards of medical care, or health
care, or safety.‖ TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 74.001(a)(13). There is no dispute that
Stanford and Thomas are health care providers. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN.
7
§ 74.001(a)(12).2 Stanford contends the gravamen of this claim alleges a departure from accepted
standards of medical or health care. In response, Cannon relies on Tesoro v. Alvarez, 281 S.W.3d
654 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2009, no pet.), and Ghazali v. Brown, 307 S.W.3d 499 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth 2009, pet. granted), in support of his contention that his claims are not health
care liability claims. In each of these cases, it was determined that allegations of injury resulting
from laser hair removal were not health care liability claims; thus, Cannon maintains, Chapter 74
did not apply. These holdings were, in large part, based on the definition of ―treatment.‖ 3
In Tesoro, the Corpus Christi court was faced with the question of whether a patient who
was scarred as a result of laser hair removal at a medical clinic and who sued the physician/general
2
Under the statute, ―[h]ealth care provider‖ is defined as
any person, partnership, professional association, corporation, facility, or institution duly licensed,
certified, registered, or chartered by the State of Texas to provide health care, including: . . .
....
(ii) an employee, independent contractor, or agent of a health care provider or physician
acting in the course and scope of the employment or contractual relationship.
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 74.001(a)(12). Cannon does not challenge Stanford‘s status as a health care
provider.
3
In addition to Tesoro and Ghazali, two additional cases discuss the issue of whether laser hair removal treatment
amounts to health care. Both cases conclude that health care liability claims were asserted. See Kanase v. Dodson,
303 S.W.3d 846 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2009, no pet.) (Direct liability claim against physician-owner of laser hair
removal clinic for burns sustained during procedure conducted by clinic employee. Allegations of failure to properly
train and supervise employees in use of laser hair removal device are integral components of rendition of health care.);
Sarwal v. Hill, No. 14-01-01112-CV, 2002 WL 31769295 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Dec. 12, 2002, no pet.)
(allegations of compliance with Article 4590i and that nurse breached nursing standards of care and violated Texas
Nurse Practice Act regulations in conducting laser hair removal procedure framed only as health care liability claim).
Because this case does not involve direct allegations of negligent supervision or breach of the medical standard of
care, we consider Kanase and Sarwal in our analysis only to note the pleadings here do not explicitly support the
conclusion that a health care liability claim was asserted.
8
partner of the clinic, alleging vicarious liability for the clinic‘s nurse in removing hair from her
legs, was a health care liability claim. The nurse was alleged to have been negligent in improper
deployment of the laser hair removal device. Tesoro most notably stands for the proposition that
laser hair removal is not ―health care‖ because the plaintiff was not ―treated‖ as that term is used by
medical definition.4 Tesoro, 281 S.W.3d at 659.
The term ―treatment‖ is not defined in Chapter 74. Section 74.001(b) of the Texas Civil
Practice and Remedies Code provides that ―[a]ny legal term or word of art used in this chapter, not
otherwise defined in this chapter, shall have such meaning as is consistent with the common law.‖
TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 74.001(b) (West 2011). Tesoro adopted the definition of
―treatment‖ in a medical context, thus rejecting the Webster‘s Collegiate Dictionary definition of
that term.5 In the medical context, the Tesoro court determined that treatment was defined as ―the
care and management of a patient to combat, ameliorate, or prevent a disease, disorder, or injury.‖
Tesoro, 281 S.W.3d at 659 (quoting MOSBY‘S MEDICAL DICTIONARY 1880 (8th ed. 2009)). 6
Based on the definition of ―treatment‖ in the medical context, the record did not support a
determination that the laser hair removal procedure was ―to combat, ameliorate, or prevent a
4
The trial court also concluded that improperly using a laser is not an inseparable part of the rendition of health care
services. Id. at 666.
5
―The term ‗treatment‘ is defined in common usage as ‗the act or manner or an instance of treating someone or
something‘ and as ‗the techniques or actions customarily applied in a specific situation.‘ MERRIAM-WEBSTER‘S
COLLEGIATE DICTIONARY 1333 (11th ed. 2003).‖ Tesoro, 281 S.W.3d at 659.
6
The court also quoted the Medline Plus online dictionary definition of ―treatment‖ as ―the action or manner of treating
a patient medically or surgically‖ and ―treat‖ as ―to care for or deal with medically or surgically: deal with by
medical or surgical means.‖ Id. (quoting MEDLINE PLUS, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
mplusdictionary.html). This definition was quoted, but was not utilized in the Court‘s decision.
9
disease, disorder, or injury.‖ Id. Moreover, Tesoro rejected the contention that because a
medical history was taken prior to the laser hair removal procedure, the procedure amounted to
health care. The appellate record did not contain the medical history, consent forms, or progress
notes allegedly generated. The fact that the procedure took place in a medical clinic could not, by
itself, transform the conduct into ―health care.‖ Id. at 660. The court also rejected Tesoro‘s
argument that because the hair removal procedure involved a regulated medical device, ―health
care‖ forms the basis of the allegations. The restrictions Tesoro relied on related to labeling
requirements, and were relevant to misbranding violations, but did not form a predicate for a health
care liability claim.
Finally, of significance to the court in Tesoro was the fact that the laser hair removal device
could (then, as with the case before us) be used by a lay person in the absence of a supervising
physician or a health care provider. Because Tesoro did not supervise or participate in the laser
hair removal procedure, no doctor-patient relationship existed. The court, therefore, concluded
that the laser hair removal procedure in that circumstance did not involve treatment related to
health care; thus, the plaintiff did not assert a health care liability claim. Id. at 666.
We acknowledge the similarities of this case to Tesoro. The petition here, as in Tesoro,
alleges vicarious liability against the physician. In both cases, the procedure was conducted by an
employee of the physician (in this case, a technician; in Tesoro, a nurse). At the time of both
10
procedures, the use of a laser hair removal device was unregulated.7 There were no requirements
regarding credentialing or licensure of individuals operating laser hair removal devices. Id. at
665. In both cases, a laser hair removal device could be used without a physician or health care
provider present. There are important factual distinctions between Tesoro and the case before us.
Unlike Tesoro, this case involves supervision of the laser hair removal procedures by a
licensed physician. Moreover, the overall context in which the procedures were administered
indicates they were conducted as medical procedures. See id. at 659 (context in which procedure
occurs may include factors to consider in determining whether claim is for ―health care‖). The
record here includes medical documentation8 of the type typically encountered in the records of a
physician or medical clinic. Stanford signed authorization forms identifying him as the
―[p]atient,‖ which indicated that the hair removal process would be supervised by Thomas, a
physician. Stanford relies on the medical records (reports of procedures performed on Cannon)
and the fact that Thomas signed those records (thus supervising, in essence, those procedures) in
support of his contention that this is a health care liability claim, citing Rubio, 185 S.W.3d at 848
(cause of action alleges departure from accepted standards of medical care or health care if act or
omission complained of is inseparable part of rendition of medical services). Thomas‘ signature
7
Although the operation of a laser hair removal device was not subject to regulation by the State at the time this cause
of action arose, it is now regulated. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. §§ 401.501–.522 (West 2009). As a
result of this change in the statutory law, the application of this case as future precedent is likely quite limited.
8
Tesoro could not consider the documentation factor because the record failed to include referenced documentation
such as a completed medical history. Tesoro, 281 S.W.3d at 660.
11
on the progress notes indicates that he reviewed the chart and that he agreed with the ―treatment/s
and parameters as indicated.‖
Thomas signed the medical records, authored by Stanford, after the fact.9 Cannon urges
there can be no physician-patient relationship in such a situation, urging that ―the duty to treat the
patient with proper professional skill flows from the consensual relationship between the patient
and physician, and only when that relationship exists can there be a breach of a duty resulting in
medical malpractice.‖ Ramirez v. Carreras, 10 S.W.3d 757, 761 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi
2000, pet. denied). We cannot overlook the fact that Cannon consented to have these procedures
conducted under Thomas‘ supervision and control and that Thomas approved of the ―treatment/s
and parameters‖ indicated. The fact that a physician does not deal directly with a patient does not
necessarily preclude the existence of a physician-patient relationship. Lection v. Dyll, 65 S.W.3d
696, 704 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2011, pet. denied). Likewise, physical contact between a doctor
and patient is not necessary to create a physician-patient relationship. See Dougherty v. Gifford,
826 S.W.2d 668, 674 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1992, no writ) (physician-patient relationship
existed between patient from whom biopsy was taken and doctors at laboratory examining
biopsied tissue negligently misdiagnosed malignant cancer). The fact that Thomas reviewed and
9
Stanford claims that obtaining consent for a procedure, as was done here, is an inseparable part of the rendition of
medical care. In support of this proposition, Stanford relies on Section 74.101 of the Texas Civil Practice and
Remedies Code, which provides that when a suit against a health care provider or physician is based on the ―failure of
the physician or health care provider to disclose or adequately disclose the risks and hazards involved in the medical
care or surgical procedure rendered . . . , the only theory on which recovery may be obtained is that of negligence in
failing to disclose the risks or hazards that could have influenced a reasonable person in making a decision to give or
withhold consent.‖ TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 74.101 (West 2011). Here, Cannon does not complain of
the failure to disclose risks associated with the laser hair removal procedure.
12
approved of the treatments Cannon received and that Cannon agreed to Thomas‘ supervision and
control of the procedures, is sufficient to create a physician-patient relationship between Cannon
and Thomas. In Tesoro, there was no physician-patient relationship.10
We also consider the fact that Cannon filled out a medical history questionnaire and signed
a consent form in order to undergo these procedures. The medical history form was pertinent to
the laser treatment and contained information which was necessary to an understanding of whether
Cannon was a good candidate for the procedure, such as current medications and past and present
health problems. Moreover, Cannon was considered (at least pursuant to documentation) a
patient of the center, as he was designated in that manner on the consent form. The consent form
was much the same as those commonly utilized in the arena of medical treatment. The risks,
benefits, and complications associated with the procedure were disclosed. In addition, the
consent form indicated that ―medical personnel‖ were to perform the procedure under Thomas‘
―supervision and control.‖ No such records were considered in Tesoro. Because these factors
were lacking in Tesoro, we find the substance of the claims alleged here, in light of the overall
context of the care provided, are markedly different from Tesoro.
This case is likewise distinguishable from Ghazali, in which the court determined that a
claim against the medical director of the American Laser Center in Fort Worth for severe burning,
blistering and lacerations to the plantiff‘s face and neck caused by laser hair removal treatment was
10
The fact that Cannon did not allege a direct liability claim against Thomas only means that Thomas cannot be held
directly liable for Stanford‘s alleged negligence; it does not mean that Cannon is free to ignore the physician-patient
relationship and the supervising role Thomas played in the laser hair removal procedures.
13
not a health care liability claim. Ghazali, 307 S.W.3d at 505. Although Ghazali served as the
facility‘s medical director at the time of Brown‘s initial treatment, center employees performed the
actual treatment. The allegations in the Ghazali petition are direct liability claims. The
interesting twist to this case is that despite the fact that the plaintiff filed an expert report within the
120-day period required by Section 74.351, the court nevertheless found that the claims asserted
against Ghazali (negligence, negligent failure to warn, gross negligence, violations of the Texas
Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act, fraud, and lack of informed consent) were
not health care liability claims.11
In determining that laser hair removal did not constitute medical care or treatment, the
Ghazali court defined ―treatment‖ in accord with the definition of that term in Mosby’s Medical
Dictionary, although it did not state the rationale for the selection of this particular definition.12
The court then quickly disposed of the issue of whether laser hair removal was a health care
liability claim when it stated:
The parties do not argue, and the record does not suggest, that Brown sought laser
hair removal to ―combat, ameliorate, or prevent a disease, disorder, or injury‖ or
that the hair removal relates to a ―physical disease or disorder or physical deformity
or injury.‖ See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 74.001(a) (19); TEX. OCC.
CODE ANN. § 151.002(13); Mosby‘s Medical Dictionary 1880 (8th ed. 2009).
11
After the plaintiff served an amended expert report, the trial court denied Ghazali‘s second motion to dismiss.
Ghazali, 307 S.W.3d at 502.
12
In adopting this definition of ―treatment,‖ Ghazali merely states that ―‗[t]reatment‘ is defined by Mosby‘s Medical
Dictionary as ‗the care and management of a patient to combat, ameliorate, or prevent a disease, disorder, or injury.‘
Mosby‘s Medical Dictionary 1880 (8th ed. 2009). We will therefore use this definition in deciding whether laser hair
removal constitutes medical care or treatment.‖ Ghazali, 307 S.W.3d at 503.
14
Therefore, Brown‘s laser hair removal is not ―treatment‖ or ―medical care.‖ And
because Brown‘s laser hair removal is not ―treatment‖ or ―medical care,‖ it follows
that it is also not ―health care‖ because ―health care‖ requires an act or treatment
during the patient‘s medical care or treatment. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE
ANN. § 74.001(a) (10).
Ghazali, 307 S.W.3d at 503–04 (footnote omitted).13 Unlike this case, Ghazali did not involve a
physician-supervised course of treatment, medical records, a consent form that stated the risks and
benefits of treatment, or a physician-patient relationship. We, therefore, look beyond the
holdings of Tesoro and Ghazali to determine whether the claim here is for health care liability.
A final factor in our consideration of this issue is whether expert medical testimony would
be required to prove the alleged negligence. Rubio, 185 S.W.3d at 848 (a factor in considering
whether cause of action is inseparable part of rendition of health care services is whether expert
testimony from a medical or health care professional is necessary to prove claim); San Antonio
Extended Med. Care, Inc. v. Vasquez, 327 S.W.3d 193, 199 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2010, no
pet.). Cannon alleged his injuries were proximately caused by Stanford‘s negligence in failing to
skillfully and properly use the laser device and in failing to stop the laser treatment in a timely
manner. Stanford contends that expert medical testimony would be required to prove each of
these claims.
13
Ghazali also rejected the contention that laser hair removal was an inseparable part of the rendition of medical
services. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 74.001(a)(13). However, Ghazali relied on Marks v. St. Luke’s
Episcopal Hosp., No. 07-0783, 2009 WL 2667801 (Tex. Aug. 28, 2009), in support of this proposition. The original
Marks opinion was withdrawn and superseded on rehearing by Marks v. St. Luke’s Episcopal Hosp., 319 S.W.3d 658
(Tex. 2010) (finding hospital patient‘s fall, caused by defective or unsafe hospital bed, is health care liability claim).
15
Indeed, expert testimony would be required to establish the appropriate laser hair removal
device settings for removal of hair from the genital area, as well as to establish the appropriate use
of the device once the settings were established. Stanford consulted with a physician,
Dr. Birken,14 to verify the settings for the Nd-Yag laser to be utilized on the genital area. Thomas
approved of those settings and of the parameters of treatment. Cannon contends that because lay
persons routinely operate laser hair removal devices without medical supervision or guidance, any
needed expert testimony could be elicited from a technician trained in the use of the laser hair
removal device as opposed to seeking the same information from a physician. Whereas this may
be true in a case in which a laser hair removal device is operated without medical supervision or
guidance, we do not believe it is true here.
Even though Stanford was trained in the use of the laser hair removal device, she
nevertheless sought a physician‘s advice on the appropriate settings in this particular
circumstance. The question of whether these settings were appropriate falls directly within
Cannon‘s allegation that Stanford failed to ―skillfully and properly use the laser device.‖ We
believe the question of the skillful and proper use of a laser hair removal device, under the
circumstances of this case, is a question requiring expert testimony from a medical or health care
14
The progress notes do not clearly identify Stanford‘s connection to Dr. Birken (whose first name is not mentioned);
they merely state, ―I have called Dr. Birken to verify settings for this particular area. Dr. Birken advises to use
settings specific to his skin type without tanning.‖
16
professional. 15 This conclusion is highlighted by the fact that the procedures here were
undertaken with the advice and approval of two medical doctors.16 Expert medical testimony is
required to establish whether the laser hair removal device was correctly calibrated, whether the
correct attachment was utilized, and whether the procedure should have been performed in a
shorter time span. Such information is not within the common knowledge of the general public.
See Rose, 156 S.W.3d at 544.17
Obviously, certain medical procedures constitute medical treatment under the most
commonly utilized definitions of that term. In those circumstances, there is little or no debate on
the issue of whether such treatment actually occurred. Here, we are faced with a unique set of
facts that go beyond the Tesoro and Ghazali formulations. This scenario, likewise, does not fall
within the parameters of Kanase18 and Sarwal19 (finding pleadings in laser hair removal case
15
There was no claim in Tesoro that expert testimony was necessary to establish that the laser hair removal device was
improperly utilized. The court determined that because the claims did not constitute health care liability claims
invoking Chapter 74, the issue of expert testimony need not be addressed. Tesoro, 281 S.W.3d at 659.
16
We recognize current statutory law (enacted after Cannon‘s procedures) requires extensive training and certification
of laser hair removal device technicians. Cannon argues that this new legislation demonstrates that expert medical
testimony would not be required, while Stanford contends that because the new legislation requires a consulting
physician to establish protocols for services provided at a laser hair removal facility, only expert medical testimony
will suffice. See TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN. § 401.510. The determination of the need for expert medical
testimony is a fact specific determination, which cannot be made solely in reference to these statutory provisions.
Further, these provisions were not in effect at the time of Cannon‘s treatment.
17
Even if testimony of a laser hair removal device technician is sufficient to establish the appropriate operation and
settings of a laser hair removal device in this circumstance, the fact that expert medical testimony may not be
necessary to support a verdict does not necessarily mean that a claim is not a health care liability claim under
Chapter 74. Med. Hosp. of Buna Tex., Inc. v. Wheatley, 287 S.W.3d 286, 294 n.2 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2009, pet.
denied) (citing Murphy, 167 S.W.3d at 838).
18
Kanase, 303 S.W.3d 846.
17
allege health care liability claim). In this unique circumstance, we must look to the overall
context of the claims, as well as to the physician-patient relationship involved in order to
determine whether Cannon asserted a health care liability claim.
Here, we look to the following factors: (1) medical records (―progress notes‖) were
generated in connection with each of the two procedures performed on Cannon, (2) Thomas signed
those progress notes, indicating his agreement with the treatment given and to the fact that he was
led to believe that his treatment would be supervised by a physician, (3) Cannon was designated as
a patient, (4) a consent form was obtained which not only outlined the risks of the procedure, but
that also indicated that Cannon consented to allow ―the medical personnel at Cosmetic Skin Laser
& Hair Removal of Greenville under the supervision and control of Jack Thomas M.D.‖ to perform
the procedure, (5) a detailed medical history was taken, and (6) expert medical testimony is
required to prove Cannon‘s claims.
These factors indicate that the underlying nature of Cannon‘s claim, regardless of how it
was pled, is one for health care liability. Here, the alleged improper use of the laser hair removal
device was an inseparable part of the rendition of medical services. See Rubio, 185 S.W.3d at
848–49. Cannon was, therefore, subject to the requirements of Section 74.351 because his suit
asserts a health care liability claim. See Rose, 156 S.W.3d at 546.
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Sarwal, 2002 WL 31769295.
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III. CONCLUSION
We reverse the judgment and remand to the trial court for further proceedings consistent
with this opinion.
Bailey C. Moseley
Justice
Date Submitted: June 8, 2011
Date Decided: June 23, 2011
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