Representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases

• Author: R. John Naranja
• Pages: 829-894

REPRESENTING

PLAINTIFFS IN MEDICAL

MALPRACTICE CASES

26-1

CHAPTER 26

REPRESENTING PLAINTIFFS IN

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CASES

I. BEFORE YOU TAKE THE CASE

A. Know What You Are Getting Into

1. Understand the Defendant’s Advantages

§26-1 Doctor-Defendant’s Advantages

§26-2 Hospital-Defendant’s Advantages

§26-3 Complex Medical Issues Favor the Defense

§26-4 Compare: Negative Image of Medical Malpractice Plaintiffs and Lawyers

2. Be Realistic About Costs of Litigation

§26-5 Do a Cost/Benef‌it Analysis

§26-6 Hope to Settle, but Plan for Trial

B. Investigate Potential Plaintiff ’s Malpractice Claim

1. Conduct Medical Research

§26-7 Non-Delegable Duty to Master the Medicine

§26-8 Avenues for Research

2. Determine Need for Experts

3. Evaluate Your Potential Client

§26-9 Interview Prospective Client

§26-10 “Trust Your Gut” Factors to Consider

§26-11 Review Medical Records

§26-12 Determine the Proper Plaintiff

[§26-13 – §26-14 Reserved]

4. Evaluate Potential Defendants and Claims of Contributory Negligence

§26-15 Multiple Physicians, Multiple Possible Defendants

§26-16 Patient Negligence

5. Determine Whether You Can Establish a Prima Facie Case

a. Statute of Limitations

b. Causation

§26-17 Established by Expert Testimony

§26-18 Key Factor in Medical Malpractice Defense

§26-19 Form: Sample Response in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Directed Verdict

c. Damages

§26-20 Guiding Principles

§26-21 Doctors are Key Damages Experts

[Editor’s Note: All medical illustrations that appear or are referenced in this chapter are available online – in full-size

and most in four-color – through James Publishing Digital Access.]

REPRESENTING

PLAINTIFFS IN MEDICAL

MALPRACTICE CASES

Medical Evidence 26-2

§26-22 Mental Health Professionals

§26-23 Life Care Planner

d. Screening Experts

§26-24 For Consulting Purposes Only

§26-25 How a Screening Expert Can Help

6. Before Filing Suit

§26-26 Pre-Filing Checklist

§26-27 Form: Attorney/Client Contract

C. Tips From the Trenches

§26-28 Steer Clear of Messy Cases

§26-29 Give it the “One Paragraph” Test

§26-30 Beware the “Slam Dunk”

§26-31 Make Sure Your Client is Aware of Potential Pitfalls and is Committed to the Process

[§26-32 – §26-34 Reserved]

II. POTENTIAL AREAS OF LIABILITY

A. Physician-Patient Relationship

§26-35 When Relationship Arises

§26-36 Scope of Physician’s Duty

§26-37 Case Example

B. Failure to Warn

§26-38 Ordinary Negligence, Not Malpractice

§26-39 Form: Sample Complaint

C. Corporate Liability of Hospitals

§26-40 Governing Principles

§26-41 Form: Sample Complaint

D. Res Ipsa Loquitor

§26-42 Governing Principles

§26-43 Form: Sample Complaint

E. Informed Consent and Medical Battery

§26-44 Two Causes of Action When Procedure Performed Without Consent

§26-44.1 Informed Consent

§26-44.2 Medical Battery

§26-45 Consent Repudiated Post-Surgery

§26-46 Consent to Surgery is Not Consent to Negligence

§26-47 Form: Motion in Limine to Exclude Evidence or

Argument About Risks in Surgical Consent Forms

F. Agency

§26-48 Basis of Agency Relationship

§26-49 Overcoming Boilerplate Consent Form Language

§26-49.1 Plead Agency Broadly

§26-49.2 Use Discovery to Establish Key Facts Necessary to Prove Vicarious Liability

§26-50 Loaned Servant Doctrine

G. Negligent Supervision of Hospital Staff

§26-51 Basis for Liability

§26-52 General Negligence, Not Malpractice

H. Pharmacy Malpractice

§26-53 Governing Principles

§26-54 Form: Sample Complaint

[§26-55 – §26-59 Reserved]

REPRESENTING

PLAINTIFFS IN MEDICAL

MALPRACTICE CASES

26-3 Representing Plaintiffs in Medical Malpractice Cases

III. DISCOVERY

A. Governing Principles

§26-60 Purpose and Scope of Discovery

§26-61 Getting Organized

B. Sample Written Discovery for All Cases

§26-62 Overview

§26-63 Preamble

§26-64 Interrogatories

§26-65 Request for Production

§26-66 Use Rule 34 to Your Advantage

C. Wrongful Death Cases

§26-67 Interrogatories

§26-68 Requests to Produce

D. Handling Boilerplate Objections

§26-69 Common Defense Tactic

§26-70 Irrelevant

§26-71 Burdensome

§26-72 Vague

§26-73 Peer Review

§26-73.1 Underlying Purpose

§26-73.2 Overcoming this Bar to Discovery

E. Rule 26 Experts

§26-74 Initial Interview

§26-75 Practical Do’s and Don’ts

[§26-76 – §26-78 Reserved]

F. Depositions

1. Questions Common to Defense Medical Experts

§26-79 Initial Considerations Separate From the Medical Negligence Event

2. Defendant-Doctor’s Deposition

§26-80 Investigate to Uncover Negative Information

§26-81 Preparation is Key

§26-82 Practical Tips and Tactics

3. Defense Expert Depositions

§26-83 Review Former Testimony

§26-84 Proven Ways to Attack Defense Expert

4. Corporate Defendant Depositions

§26-85 FRCP 30(b)(6)

§26-86 Notice of Deposition

§26-87 Designation of Witness

§26-88 Form: Rule 30(B)(6) Notice of Deposition to Special Hospital

[§26-89 Reserved]

IV. PRETRIAL PROCEDURES

A. Focus Groups

1. Before Focus Group Meets – Practical Tips

§26-90 Logistics

§26-91 Compensation

§26-92 Participants

2. The Day of the Focus Group – Practical Tips

§26-93 Have “Jurors” Complete a Questionnaire to Provide Background Information

§26-94 Videotape Presentations and Deliberations

§26-95 Provide a Verdict Form, but Not Formal Instructions

§26-96 Debrief the Jurors

§26-97 Task List