Parker v. Momorella

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
JOSEPH F. PARKER, JR. and )
NANCY L. KING, )
)
Plaintiffs, )
)
v. ) C.A. No. S24C-09-016 CAK
)
JEAN MOMORELLA and PREMIER ) TRIAL BY JURY OF
PHYSICAL THERAPY AND ) TWELVE DEMANDED
SPORTS PERFORMANCE, L.P. )
)
Defendants. )
Submitted: October 18, 2024
Decided: October 22, 2024
ORDER
On October 17, 2024, defendants Jean Momorella and Premier Physical
Therapy and Sports Performance, L.P. (collectively, “Defendants”) filed a Motion
for In Camera Review of the Affidavit of Merit (the “Motion”) in the above-
captioned case.
The Motion pertains to the Affidavit of Merit filed under seal with me by
Jennifer L. Vincenzo, PT, MPH, PhD (“Affiant”) on September 19, 2024 (the
“Affidavit”).
The Complaint, filed on September 19, 2024, alleges medical and
rehabilitative negligence by Defendants. Generally, the Complaint alleges (1)
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physical injuries to Plaintiff Joseph F. Parker, Jr. resulting from a fall while
performing exercises directed by Defendant Jean Momorella without an assistive
device or staff supervision, support or assistance; (2) mental anguish; and, (3) lost
wages and/or reduced earning capacity. Plaintiff Nancy L. King alleges the loss of
consortium of her husband, Plaintiff Joseph F. Parker, Jr. Vicarious liability is
alleged by Plaintiffs against Defendant Premier Physical Therapy and Sports
Performance, L.P. under a theory of respondeat superior.
In the Motion, Defendants ask me to review the Affidavit and the Curriculum
Vitae submitted therewith in camera to determine whether they comply with the
requirements of 18 Del. C. §6853(a)(1) and (c). Specifically, the Motion asks me to
confirm the following:
(1) that the Affidavit has been executed by an expert witness;
(2) that it is accompanied by a current Curriculum Vitae;
(3) that it articulates all opinions within a reasonable degree of medical
probability;
(4) that the breach of the standard of care ascribed to Defendants was a
proximate cause of the injuries alleged in the Complaint;
(5) that the expert states her causation opinions within the terms of Delaware’s
“but for” standard under Ellet v. Ramzy, et al., 2004 WL 2240153, at *2 n. 1 (Del.
Super. September 29, 2004);
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(6) that the expert states the date or dates on which Defendants allegedly
breached the standard of care occurred;
(7) that the expert’s Curriculum Vitae establishes that the expert was licensed
to practice medicine as of the date of the Affidavit; and,
(8) that the Curriculum Vitae establishes that during the 3-year period
immediately preceding the alleged breach of the standard of care, the expert was
engaged in the treatment of patients and/or in the teaching/academic side of
medicine, in the same field as defendants.
Since I have reviewed the Affidavit, I will treat the Motion as a Motion to
Approve the Affidavit under the requirements of the statute. As such, I find that the
Affidavit satisfies the requirements of the statute, as follows:
(1) the Affidavit has been executed by an expert witness;
(2) it is accompanied by a current Curriculum Vitae;
(3) it articulates all opinions within a reasonable degree of medical
probability;
(4) the breach of the standard of care ascribed to Defendants was a proximate
cause of the injuries alleged in the Complaint;
(5) the expert’s Curriculum Vitae establishes that the expert was licensed as a
physical therapist as of the date of the Affidavit; and,
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(6) the Curriculum Vitae establishes that during the 3-year period immediately
preceding the alleged breach of the standard of care, the expert was engaged in the
treatment of patients and/or in the teaching/academic side of physical therapy, in the
same field as Defendants.
18 Del. C. §6853(c) states that the expert signing the Affidavit “shall be
licensed to practice medicine as of the date of the Affidavit.” The Affiant here is a
licensed physical therapist, not a medical doctor. This Court has held that such an
expert, otherwise found to be qualified to testify at trial as an expert witness on the
standard of care, is not excluded as the type of expert witness who may submit the
required Affidavit of Merit pursuant to 18 Del. C. § 6853 simply because she is not
a physician “licensed to practice medicine” pursuant to 18 Del. C. § 6853(c).1 In
other words, Affiant can submit an Affidavit of Merit regarding the field in which
she practices, physical therapy, but not in a different field, such as that of a physician.
The following two items are not requirements under the statute:
(1) that the expert states her causation opinions within the terms of Delaware’s
“but for” standard under Ellet v. Ramzy, et al., 2004 WL 2240153, at *2 n. 1 (Del.
Super. September 29, 2004); and,
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Dougherty v. Horizon House, Inc., 2008 WL 3488532 (Del. Super. June 25, 2008); see also
Cousineau v. Christiana Care Health Services, Inc., 2009 WL 406821 (Del. Super. Jan. 9, 2009),
Cox v. Bayhealth Medical Center Inc., 2020WL 2108132 (Del. Super. April 30, 2020), Zawask v.
Christiana Care Health Services, Inc., 2020 WL 3866512 (Del. Super. July 7, 2020).
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(2) that the expert states the date or dates on which Defendants allegedly
breached the standard of care occurred (this date, August 21, 2023, is clearly stated
in the Complaint).
Therefore, I do not address those requests.
I confirm that the Affidavit and Curriculum Vitae comply with the
requirements of 18 Del. C. §6853(a)(1) and (c).
IT IS SO ORDERED.
/s/ Craig A. Karsnitz
Craig A. Karsnitz
cc: Prothonotary
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