Opinion ID: 2366046
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Appellee's Counter-arguments

Text: Georgetown counters Lasley's simplicity argument by emphasizing the complexity of the causation issue in this case. Georgetown argues that a lay jury is ill equipped to evaluate which of the two medically complicated causal explanations is more persuasive. Medical opinion testimony is necessary, Georgetown contends, because of the overwhelming complexity of this evaluation. Georgetown concurs with Lasley that there are only two causal candidates: Either the vessels in Lasley's AVM burst spontaneously, or the embolization procedure was the cause. In Georgetown's view a sufficient understanding of each possibility requires specialized medical insight jurors do not typically possess. Furthermore, since either explanation is plausible, it is Lasley's burden to prove that the procedure rather than the preexisting condition is the actual cause. Georgetown contends the jury cannot meaningfully make this sophisticated judgment without evaluating medical reasons described by medical experts. Georgetown also argues it is insufficient to show solely that the rupture occurred during the procedure. They reason that an approximate temporal overlap establishes a mere correlation when the law requires proof of causation. Finally, Georgetown notes that if medical experts are unable to discern the true cause, jurors may not even try to do so.