Source: http://ar.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.20070801_0001040.EAR.htm/qx
Timestamp: 2019-12-08 13:27:17
Document Index: 100481624

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2671', '§ 1346', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 16', '§ 209']

ROBERT C. SCOTT, JR. AND DONNA SCOTT, PLAINTIFFS,
Before the Court is defendant's motion to dismiss to which plaintiffs responded. For the reasons stated below, the motion is denied.
Plaintiffs are husband and wife. Mr. Scott suffers from diabetes, and in the summer of 2003, was treated for hypertension and hyperlipidemia as well as panic disorder and Meniere's Syndrome. During November 2003, he was found to be suffering from some left ventricular hypotrophy and placed on medication. Sometime prior to April 2004, Mr. Scott and his son were convicted in federal court and sentenced to two-months incarceration. On or about April 20, 2004, in preparation for his incarceration, Mr. Scott visited his family physician, Dr. Segars. Dr. Segars wrote a letter dated April 21, 2004, addressed To Whom It May Concern, advising that Mr. Scott suffered from osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia, NIDDM, hypertension, and chronic anxiety. He also listed the Mr. Scott's medications.
Mr. Scott began service of his sentence on April 26, 2004. The institution did not have his medications. On April 29, 2004, Mr. Scott apparently suffered a stroke and was taken to a local hospital. He was discharged from the hospital on May 3, 2004. Mrs. Scott was unaware of Mr. Scott's hospitalization until May 1, 2004. He was released from prison on June 22, 2004.
Plaintiffs filed this action on April 2, 2007, under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2671 et seq. Plaintiffs allege defendant was negligent in failing to provide Mr. Scott with his medications. They seek damages, attorney's fees, and costs. Defendant seeks dismissal based on plaintiffs' alleged failure to comply with sections of the Arkansas Code applicable to actions for medical injury.
The applicable law under the Federal Tort Claims Act is the substantive law of the state where the wrongful conduct occurred. 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1). A plaintiff's burden of proof for a medical malpractice action is set out in Ark. Code Ann. § 16-114-206(a):
Further, the Arkansas medical malpractice statute provides:
(b)(1) In all cases where expert testimony is required under § 16-114-206, reasonable cause for filing any action for medical injury due to negligence shall be established only by the filing of an affidavit that shall be signed by an expert engaged in the same type of medical care as is each medical care provider defendant. Ark.Code Ann. § 16-114-209(b)(1). When an affidavit is required under § 209(b)(1), the statute provides that a plaintiff has ...