William Clayton Patridge v. Howard M. Evans

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 95-CA-00755-SCT
WILLIAM CLAYTON PATRIDGE
v.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF GREENWOOD
LEFLORE HOSPITAL: HOWARD M. EVANS, KATIE
LACKEY, REV. HAROLD LEWIS, JAMES L.
MITCHELL, AND FRED PRATER, GREENWOOD
LEFLORE HOSPITAL, A COMMUNITY HOSPITAL,
AND NURSES A AND B
THIS OPINION IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION AND MAY NOT BE CITED,
PURSUANT TO M.R.A.P. 35-A
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 05/03/95
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. EUGENE M. BOGEN
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: LEFLORE COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: LEE B. HAZLEWOOD
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES: LONNIE D. BAILEY
TOMMIE G. WILLIAMS
NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - PERSONAL INJURY
DISPOSITION: AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND
REMANDED IN PART - 1/22/98
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED: 2/24/98
EN BANC.
SULLIVAN, PRESIDING JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
William Clayton Patridge had surgery for prostate cancer on April 27, 1989, and returned to the
Greenwood LeFlore Hospital (the Hospital) for yearly check-ups. On March 31, 1992, Patridge was
stuck with a blood-stained IV cathelon needle in the lower buttocks, upper leg area. Patridge stated
that he sat on the examination table in the proctology examination room. The needle was located
under the paper covering the examination table in a crease of the table. After pulling out the needle,
Patridge gave the needle to Nurse Davis and told her of the incident. Nurse Davis called for her
assistant, Nurse Hodo. Both nurses checked Patridge's leg for a needle puncture wound and found
none. The needle was discarded and never checked for communicable diseases such as HIV and
hepatitis. Patridge stated that the needle had dried blood stains on it.
The Hospital offered Suzanne Johnston's affidavit as evidence that Patridge has not been exposed to
HIV or hepatitis and is not in danger of contracting the diseases due to the 1992 needle incident. Ms.
Johnston serves as Assistant Director of Nursing for the facility. She stated that the rate of infection
in a person actually exposed to HIV blood through needle stick injuries is .4% to .5%. If someone is
actually exposed to HIV infected blood through a needle stick injury, there is a 1 in 200 chance of
contracting HIV. Under the same circumstances, the chances of contracting HBV (Hepatitis B) is
approximately 30%. The Hospital vaccinated Patridge for Hepatitis B and tested him for HIV and
Hepatitis B. Both test results were negative. The tests for HIV and Hepatitis B were repeated three
later times, at three months, seven months, and fifteen months with negative results. An additional
test for HIV at eleven months also produced a negative result. Based upon these test results, Ms.
Johnston concluded, "To a reasonable degree of scientific certainty Mr. Patridge's chance of now
contracting Hepatitis or HIV from the incident as Mr. Patridge alleges it to have occurred in his
complaint are now zero." The last of these blood tests occurred in February of 1994.
Patridge argues that although he may not have HIV, he does not believe that anybody can assure him
of that fact. Patridge also alleges that the needle prick caused a burning sensation and a red spot on
his leg.
In response to the Hospital's motion for summary judgment, Patridge offered the affidavit of Linda L.
Pifer, Ph.D. Dr. Pifer is a professor in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the
University of Tennessee, Memphis, The Health Center. Among others things, Dr. Pifer is a
Registered Specialist in Public Health and Medical Laboratory Microbiology. She grows HIV in her
laboratory where she has been involved with AIDS research for thirteen years. In her affidavit, Dr.
Pifer states the following:
3. AIDS testing is not susceptible of the same degree of certitude as in testing for other
infectious agents for numerous reasons, including but not limited to the following:
a) On average, seroconversion ( production of specific antibodies to the AIDS virus) occurs
from six to twelve weeks after exposure, but can be delayed in some instances for a number of
years following exposure.
b) Scientific studies have revealed that HIV remains biologically active and culturable for up to
fifteen days at room temperature in a liquid medium, and that it can remain active in a dried
state for an as yet undetermined length of time.
c) An individual might test negative for HIV and yet be capable of transmitting and, in fact,
actually transmit AIDS to another person.
d) Although transmission of HIV infection through needle stick exposure is relatively
uncommon, most high-risk exposures to HIV-infected blood result in HIV inoculation.
Although seroconversion does not occur in these cases, HIV-specific T-helper cell activity may
be demonstrated, thus illustrating that documented exposure to HIV does not necessarily result
in seroconversion. At present, it is not known if individuals exposed under such circumstances
will eventually seroconvert and/or develop clinical AIDS.
e) Body fluids, substances and specimens can transmit HIV, following which the virus may lose
its ability to infect and become incapable at some as yet to be defined time of transmitting HIV.
4. All discarded needles and sharps are presumed to be infectious with regard to HIV and other
blood and body fluid transmissible agents. Discarded needles must be presumed to be and are in
fact capable of transmitting the AIDS virus.
5. An exposure to HIV via a needle stick is regarded an "exposure" whether HIV or other
blood-born pathogen is ever documented as being present or ever having been present in, on or
associated with the needle. Regardless of the availability of documentation, the unique
seriousness of the incident dictates that it must be perceived and dealt with as though it were a
documented exposure to HIV or other bloodborne pathogens.
6. Due to the universal lethality of HIV and its elusive qualities, this virus/group of viruses is
viewed by health care professionals as unique relative to other disease-causing agents due to its
lengthy and variable incubation time, the inevitable mortality to the host, and the fact that very
much is not yet known about HIV. In view of these statements, it is medically presumed that all
needles exposed to blood/tissue/human specimens are contaminated with the AIDS virus and
are capable of transmitting the virus(s) to another person.
Patridge also included the affidavits of L.C. Henson, M.D., and Michael Whelan, Ph.D., in his
response to the Hospital's motion for summary judgment. Dr. Henson stated that Patridge is having
trouble sleeping and has diarrhea due to his anxiety of contracting AIDS. Dr. Whelan is a
psychologist who has evaluated Patridge. He determined that Patridge suffers from psychological and
mental distress as a result of the needle stick incident and that the effects of the disorder are serious.
Patridge is bothered by the fear of contaminating others, particularly his family, and by his fear of
contracting HIV. Dr. Whelan determined that Patridge has developed an obsessive compulsive
disorder which is evident by various behavioral manifestations. These manifestations include fear of
contaminating others leading to not visiting other people's homes, avoiding hugging and kissing his
grandchildren, creating a separate bathroom from that of his immediate family, ritualistic hand
washing with clorox, and using extra cleaning solvents in an attempt to "purify" his towels at home.
Furthermore, Patridge has developed depression evidenced by an inability to sleep, anger, and
chronic fatigue.
LEGAL ISSUES
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Summary judgment should be granted "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories and
admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any
material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law." Miss. R. Civ. P.
56(c). See also Brown v. Credit Center, Inc., 444 So. 2d 358, 362 (Miss. 1983). The moving party
bears the burden of showing that no genuine issue of material fact exists, and that the moving party is
entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Palmer v. Biloxi Regional Medical Center, Inc., 564 So. 2d
1346, 1355 (Miss. 1990). "All evidentiary matters before the Court must be considered in the light
most favorable to the non-moving party." Drummond v. Buckley, 627 So. 2d 264, 267 (Miss. 1993)
(citing McFadden v. State, 580 So. 2d 1210, 1214 (Miss. 1991); Webster v. Mississippi Publishers
Corp., 571 So. 2d 946, 949 (Miss. 1990); Brown, 444 So.2d at 362.
I.
WHETHER THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN REQUIRING A SHOWING OF ACTUAL
EXPOSURE TO HIV IN A CLAIM FOR NEGLIGENT EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IN A
FEAR OF AIDS CASE?
Judge Bogen determined that this case falls within the category of fear of AIDS cases in which "there
was a channel of exposure to the plaintiff but no proof that HIV was present." Vallery v. Southern
Baptist Hospital, 630 So. 2d 861 (La. Ct. App. 1993). Based upon decisions in other jurisdictions
addressing fear of AIDS claims, Judge Bogen determined that a plaintiff must show exposure to HIV.
Assuming that Patridge was exposed to HIV, Judge Bogen would require Patridge to show some
likelihood that he will acquire the HIV virus or develop AIDS. Judge Bogen wrote, "There is a
significant difference between emotional distress arising from facts which reasonably induce one to
develop fear of contracting a disease and an irrational fear unsupported by any scientific facts."
We must look no further than the recent case of Leaf River Forest Products, Inc. v. Ferguson, 662
So. 2d 648 (Miss. 1995). In Ferguson, the plaintiffs sued a paper mill alleging that the mill discharged
harmful substances (dioxin) into the Leaf and Pascagoula Rivers, thereby causing the plaintiffs
personal injury and property damage. Ferguson, 662 So.2d at 650. We determined that the evidence
was insufficient to support a jury verdict based on emotional distress. Id. at 650.
Mississippi "recognizes recovery for both negligently and intentionally inflicted emotional distress."
Ferguson, 662 So.2d at 658. "However, this Court has never allowed or affirmed a claim of
emotional distress based on a fear of contracting a disease or illness in the future, however
reasonable." Id. To recover for emotional distress predicated on fear of future illness, a plaintiff must
provide "substantial proof of exposure and medical evidence that would indicate possible future
illness." Id. This Court found that the Fergusons' claim was premature, but that if any disease caused
by alleged dioxin exposure manifested itself in the future, the Fergusons could pursue a cause of
action. Id.
Here, Patridge fails to show that he was exposed to HIV or that he manifests a disease resulting from
the exposure. However, Patridge contends that he is unable to prove that he was exposed to HIV
because the Hospital threw away the needle, thereby preventing a determination of whether the
needle was infected with HIV. Patridge further contends that since he is the non-moving party in the
summary action, all evidentiary matters should be found in his favor. However, even if he could
prove that the needle was HIV infected, and that he was directly exposed to the needle, Patridge
failed to present evidence of the second element of a claim for emotional distress predicated on fear
of a future illness or disease. Namely, Patridge failed to provide any evidence of disease manifestation
caused by direct exposure to the needle. In a fear of AIDS case, the plaintiff must prove that he has
been infected with HIV. Patridge has failed to prove that he has been infected by HIV. To the
contrary, the Hospital has shown that Patridge has tested negative for HIV more than fifteen months
after the alleged exposure. Judge Bogen properly granted the Hospital's motion for summary
judgment on the issue of fear of future disease in this case.
II.
WHETHER THE LOWER COURT ERRED IN GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT
BASED ON ITS DETERMINATION THAT NO GENUINE ISSUE OF MATERIAL FACT
EXISTED AS TO WHETHER APPELLANT SUFFERED A COMPENSABLE INJURY?
Patridge alleges that even if he is precluded from a negligent emotional distress claim, he is entitled to
compensable damages from the needle puncture wound. He asserts that the needle punctured his
buttock causing a burning sensation, a knot, and a red spot. Patridge further alleges that the needle
puncture has caused insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, and diarrhea. Patridge concludes that since he
suffered a personal injury which caused pain and suffering, the trial court erred in granting the
Hospital's motion for summary judgment on this matter.
The lower court's order denying Patridge's motion for reconsideration stated that Patridge's claim for
pain and suffering as a result of the needle prick was an insignificant element of the fear of AIDS
claim. Judge Bogen denied Patridge's claim based on the ancient maxim, lex non curat de minimus -
the law does not deal with trifling matters.
Each party contends that the other has admitted defeat on this point. Patridge maintains that the
Hospital's attorney admitted that the lower court should not have granted summary judgment on this
issue during oral argument:
Mr. Hazlewood has identified a point that is interesting. It may be the best we can do here is
partial summary judgment. If you accept the plaintiff's version of the facts as true, then I guess
it is perhaps true that he would have the right to sue us for the physical injury of having needle
prick in his leg with whatever pain and suffering or pain that that entailed.
However, Patridge takes this quotation out of context. Counsel for the Hospital proceeded to argue
that Patridge, in his deposition, admitted that the needle stick did not cause any physical injury,
thereby eliminating his cause of action for pain and suffering.
The Hospital contends that Patridge admitted in sworn testimony that the needle puncture did not
cause compensable injury. They suggest that Patridge's answers to interrogatories failed to state any
expenses incurred as a result of the needle prick, and failed to mention the needle prick when
responding to interrogatories to identify all health care providers and the condition for treatment.
When asked during his deposition whether any medical doctor treated him for any problem related to
sitting on the needle, Patridge responded "none." Patridge stated that he has not suffered any physical
injury from the needle prick:
Q: You haven't had any physical injury as a result of this incident. It's all been psychological or
mental?
A: Right. It's something that just--
Q: You agree with that statement?
A: I agree with you 100 percent because that's something I just can't get off my mind.
Counsel for Patridge objected, stating that a clarification to "physical injury" was needed. The
clarification was not made.
Based upon the record before this Court, we cannot say that no genuine issue of fact exists on the
issue of damages resulting from the needle prick. The evidence shows that the Hospital negligently
left a needle lying on an examination table which pricked Patridge. He has asserted damages in the
form of pain and suffering, and should be allowed to present his evidence to a jury. "[T]he amount of
damages awarded is primarily a question for the jury." Wallace v. Thornton, 672 So. 2d 724, 729
(Miss. 1996) (quoting Rodgers v. Pascagoula Public School District, 611 So. 2d 942, 945 (Miss.
1992)). Whether he can prove his claim for damages is a question for the jury. Webb v. Jackson, 583
So. 2d 946, 950 (Miss. 1991). Even where there are no apparent damages, the jury must decide what
damages, if any, were suffered by the plaintiff as a result of the defendant's negligence. Bostic v.
Mitchell, 363 So. 2d 1356, 1358 (Miss. 1978).
CONCLUSION
According to Mississippi law on negligent emotional distress predicated on fear of contracting a
future disease, a plaintiff must show that he was exposed to the disease and that the body manifests
future development of a disease caused by the exposure. Even presuming that the needle which
punctured Patridge's buttock was infected with HIV, Patridge has failed to prove that his body
manifests a future development of AIDS. We therefore affirm the lower court's decision to grant the
Hospital summary judgment on the issue of fear of future disease. However, we reverse the award of
summary judgment on Patridge's claim regarding any physical injury resulting from the needle prick.
We remand this case for a trial on the issue of any such provable damages.
AFFIRMED IN PART. REVERSED AND REMANDED IN PART.
PRATHER, C.J., AND ROBERTS, J., CONCUR. BANKS, J., CONCURS IN PART AND
DISSENTS IN PART WITH SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION JOINED BY PITTMAN, P.J.,
AND McRAE, J. McRAE, J., CONCURS IN PART AND DISSENTS IN PART WITH
SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION JOINED BY BANKS, J. MILLS, J., CONCURS IN PART
AND DISSENTS IN PART WITH SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION JOINED BY SMITH, J.
WALLER, J., NOT PARTICIPATING.
BANKS, JUSTICE, CONCURRING IN PART AND DISSENTING IN PART:
I dissent. In my view, summary judgment was unwarranted in this case because the least the plaintiff
has demonstrated is that he was negligently damaged by a prick of a needle and that, at the time,
there was a medically reasonable possibility of contracting a devastating and fatal illness from the
prick. While it may possibly be shown at a point in time after reasonable testing that the medical
evidence then existing would indicate that continued fear was not reasonable as based upon a medical
possibility, the fact that damages would have already been suffered cannot be gainsayed. Recovery of
those damages should not be precluded by summary judgment.
Nothing in Ferguson suggests otherwise. Ferguson involved possible exposure to an agent of
disease. Here, we have known exposure to an agent of disease and in a manner well known as a
source of the disease in question. Patridge had to be vaccinated against one disease and tested over a
period of fifteen months for that disease, as well as Hepatitis B, and HIV. That alone suggests that
there was medical evidence of the possibility of future disease. I do not read Ferguson to say that, in
these circumstances, one must prove the blood to which one was exposed by introduction into one's
body was HIV positive. That might prove an impossible task. In fact, there is nothing in this record
to suggest that it was possible to determine whether the blood to which he was exposed was HIV
positive.
On this record, I would reverse the grant of summary judgment and remand this matter for trial. I
would not limit the issue on remand to physical injury however. I would allow damages for emotional
distress for the period in which the evidence shows there was a medical possibility that the disease
was contracted.
PITTMAN, P.J., AND McRAE, J., JOIN THIS OPINION.
McRAE, JUSTICE, CONCURRING IN PART AND DISSENTING IN PART:
I concur with the majority's decision to reverse the award of summary judgment on Patridge's claim
regarding physical injury arising from the needle prick. I dissent, however, to the finding that
summary judgment was appropriate regarding Patridge's claim for fear of future disease. On this
issue, I would also reverse and remand.
Patridge asks this court to allow him to recover for emotional distress based on fear of AIDS. Any
plaintiff who fears that he has contracted HIV, and fears that he may develop AIDS in the future,
because of a defendant's negligence should recover damages for the time in which he had a
reasonable fear of a substantial, medically verifiable possibility of contracting HIV. The reasonable,
compensable fear is justified in this case because Patridge's fear was realized at the instant he was
stuck with the IV needle. Whether Patridge actually was infected with HIV is irrelevant. He was
stuck with a used needle that could have carried HIV, and his fear arose from his injury.
Unfortunately, even after realizing that Patridge had been stuck with the needle, the hospital
discarded the needle which could have been tested for the presence of HIV. Any negative
presumption should rest with the hospital in this case.
For recovery, there must be some reasonable connection between the act or omission of a defendant
and the damages which a plaintiff has suffered. Here there was factual evidence of a causal
connection between the alleged breach of duty and the purported damages. Recovery of damages for
negligent infliction of emotional distress is permissible where nature of fright or mental suffering
naturally follows from physical injury.
In this way, the instant case is much different from Leaf River v. Ferguson. In that case, there was
doubt regarding the causal connection between the breach by Leaf River and the purported damages
to the Fergusons. Specifically, there was no proof of any act that could have reasonably led to the
fear contemplated by Fergusons, because the contaminants found in the river were over eighty miles
from the Fergusons' property. Therefore, the basis for the Fergusons' fear was not realized in the
same way that Patridge's fear was realized.
Patridge reasonably feared a possibility of contracting AIDS once he sat on the needle. He testified
that when he was stuck, the needle had blood stains on it. Before tests can determine with reasonable
certainty whether an individual is HIV-positive, if that individual knows that his bodily fluids may
have come in contact with those of an HIV-positive person, or if he believes that he has been exposed
to an agent that possibly carries HIV (like a negligently placed, previously used needle), he has
reason to suffer severe emotional distress. An individual, after testing, may even reasonably fear that
nurses or technicians did not perform the HIV test properly, that he or she falls in the small group of
persons who only develop HIV antibodies after an unusually long period of time, or even that he or
she is in the remote group for whom the tests never detect the presence of HIV. Patridge was tested
for HIV immediately after the incident, and again at three months, seven months, eleven months, and
fifteen months, each time receiving negative results. These tests do not remove all doubt, and
Patridge may remain reasonably apprehensive that he might, at some time in the future, test HIV-
positive and develop AIDS due to his exposure to the needle. Nonetheless, at the very least, prior to
the HIV tests showing that he had not contracted HIV, Patridge had genuine reason to fear exposure
to HIV and subsequent onset of AIDS.
It cannot validly be said, as a matter of law, in the light of common knowledge, that a person
who receives a puncture wound from medical waste reacts unreasonably in suffering serious
psychic injury from contemplating the possibility of developing AIDS, even if only for some
period of time, until it is no longer reasonable, following a series of negative tests, to apprehend
that result. Indeed, one need not have actually acquired the HIV virus to be so affected by such
a fear for a period, especially since some time must pass before an accurate test can be
administered.
Williamson v. Waldman, 677 A.2d 1179, 1181 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1996), aff'd as modified,
696 A.2d 14 (N.J. 1997). The plaintiff in Williamson punctured herself on a sharp instrument
improperly left in the trash. She did not know whether the instrument had been in contact with an
HIV-positive person, but she feared that she contracted HIV. The New Jersey Appellate Division
held:
[AIDS] is a disease universally dreaded by the lay public. Under those circumstances, it cannot
be concluded as a matter of law that the plaintiff reacted unreasonably or unforeseeably. Fearing
that she faced serious injury as a result of exposure to HIV, it was not unreasonable that she
would be greatly upset during the period of time that was necessary to obtain medical assurance
that she was not infected. It may very well be that there is some period of time after receiving a
puncture wound from medical waste during which any person would experience a range of
mental reactions, from mere anxiety to actionable emotional distress, and ought to be eligible
for compensation therefor if she meets the required tests, . . .
Williamson, 677 A.2d at 1181.
The majority concludes that Mississippi should limit recovery by requiring threshold proof of "actual
exposure," which would compel claimants to prove that HIV was present in the disease-transmitting
agent, whether it was a previously used needle or bodily fluids. While it may be true that a fear of
AIDS from exposure to a substance that may or may not have contained HIV is irrational after
confirming the absence of HIV infection, this writer cannot say, as a matter of law, that at the time a
person is negligently exposed to a potentially HIV-laden needle, a fear of contracting AIDS is
irrational.
Patridge should not be precluded by summary judgment from proving that the hospital is liable for
negligent infliction of emotional distress. We did away with the requirement for physical impact in
emotional distress cases in First Nat'l Bank v. Langley, 314 So. 2d 324, 338-39 (Miss. 1975). Since
there was physical impact in this case, there is no reason for this Court to preclude recovery. At the
very least, Patridge suffered damages for a medically reasonable fear of contracting AIDS from being
stuck by the needle. The question of negligence should be allowed to go to a jury. See Marchica v.
Long Island R.R. Co., 31 F.3d 1197, 1200 (2d Cir.1994), cert. denied 513 U.S. 1079 (1995) (in
FELA claim, allowing jury to determine whether there was a rational basis for mental anguish claim
because the plaintiff could not determine who had used the discarded needle and whether he had been
exposed to HIV); Howard v. Alexandria Hosp., 429 S.E.2d 22, 24-25 (Va. 1993) (allowing patient
to recover damages for fear of AIDS when plaintiff was operated on with unsterilized instruments,
despite lack of evidence that instruments had been used on HIV-infected person); Faya v. Almaraz,
620 A.2d 327 (Md. 1993)(adopting a foreseeable-risk standard and holding that two patients
operated on by an HIV-positive doctor could recover emotional-distress damages, even though they
could not prove actual exposure to, or a means of transmission of, the HIV virus). Given the finality
associated with contracting HIV and developing AIDS, it would seem more prudent to allow a
plaintiff to recover for emotional distress based on the fear of AIDS without demonstrating actual
exposure to HIV.
As the majority chooses to affirm the summary judgment awarded to the hospital for the fear of
AIDS claim, I respectfully dissent.
BANKS, J., JOINS THIS OPINION.
MILLS, JUSTICE, CONCURRING IN PART AND DISSENTING IN PART:
I agree that the plaintiff should not be able to recover for fear of exposure to the HIV virus until it is
shown that he has actually contracted the disease. However, I also agree with the trial judge that
Patridge's claim falls under the ancient maxim of lex non curat de minimus. Every injury under the
sun does not deserve a legal remedy.
The majority opinion extends actionable rights to the realm of silliness. Patridge stated that he
suffered no physical injury from the needle prick. Defense counsel surely believes that he suffered no
recoverable physical injury. And, the trial judge agreed with them both. Where is the reversible error?
I see none.
It is easier to make this harm legally actionable than to make it legitimate. We, as all courts of law,
should strive for legitimacy via legality. Unfortunately, the majority accomplishes only the latter.
Accordingly, I dissent from the view that Patridge presented a claim worthy of legal redress.
SMITH, J., JOINS THIS OPINION.