Opinion ID: 1304563
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Underlying Medical Professional Liability Action

Text: On June 30, 2003, Bernard R. Boggs instituted a medical professional liability action in the Circuit Court of Wood County, West Virginia, against Camden-Clark, United Anesthesia, Inc., and Manish Koyawala, M.D. (hereinafter Dr. Koyawala) arising from the death of Hilda Boggs. [5] The complaint alleged that the various defendants breached the applicable standard of care resulting in the death of Hilda Boggs approximately one week after she was admitted to Camden-Clark Hospital where she underwent an open reduction and internal fixation of a left ankle fracture. [6] In addition to the medical professional liability claim, claims asserted against Camden-Clark included negligent hiring, retention and credentialing of Dr. Koyawala, spoliation of evidence, fraudulent concealment, and outrage. More specifically, the complaint alleged that [t]he Defendants, Manish I. Koyawala and Camden-Clark, during and following the treatment or lack thereof to Hilda Boggs at Camden-Clark, encouraged others to withhold information, make false statements, coordinate `stories' and destroy, despoil, modify or fabricate relevant evidence. It was alleged that Dr. Koyawala's conduct in not only causing the death of Hilda Boggs, but in directly misleading her widower regarding the circumstances of that death was outrageous and insulting, caused the Plaintiff severe emotional distress and was of such a character that no reasonable person could be expected to endure it. The complaint further asserted that Camden-Clark was vicariously liable for the acts of Dr. Koyawala and that an award of punitive damages was appropriate due to acts and omissions so willful, wanton, intentional and outrageous that punitive damages were necessary in order to punish the Defendants and to deter them and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. The underlying action [7] proceeded to trial on March 1, 2006. [8] On March 10, 2006, the jury returned a verdict against Camden-Clark awarding compensatory and punitive damages in the total amount of Six Million Five Hundred Forty-Five Thousand Dollars ($6,545,000.00) upon findings of fraudulent concealment, negligence and vicarious liability. The jury verdict form required the jury to answer numerous questions and allocate the awarded damages among the various theories of liability. However, the jury verdict form did not ask the jury to differentiate as to whether liability was being imposed for negligent or intentional conduct. [9] By order dated April 28, 2006, the circuit court entered judgment in the amount of Four Million Eight Hundred Thirty Four Thousand Three Hundred and Eighty Dollars ($4,834,380.00) against Camden-Clark. This amount represented the jury's verdict, plus pre-judgment interest, less the amount of punitive damages awarded against Dr. Koyawala and Evelyn Melvin, [10] and less a set-off for the amount of proceeds remaining from the settlements with Dr. Koyawala and United Anesthesia, Inc. after satisfaction of the punitive damage award based upon their conduct. [11]