Opinion ID: 2635288
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Statutory Scheme Covering Medical Malpractice Claims

Text: Finally, Dr. Amrani argues that the legislature has set forth a comprehensive statutory scheme specifically for the litigation of medical malpractice cases, which makes it clear that the legislature did not intend for claims against physicians to be remedied under the KCPA. Dr. Amrani lists a variety of reforms in medical malpractice and tort law that took place in Kansas during the 1970's and 1980's. These reforms are described in detail in Samsel v. Wheeler Transport Services, Inc., 246 Kan. 336, 339-340, 789 P.2d 541 (1990), overruled in part on other grounds Bair v. Peck, 248 Kan. 824, 811 P.2d 1176 (1991), and include, among other things, establishment of the Health Care Stabilization Fund and medical malpractice screening panels, shortening of the statute of limitations on medical malpractice, changes to the collateral source rule, and damages caps. Dr. Amrani cites Chelsea Plaza Homes, Inc. v. Moore, 226 Kan. 430, 434, 601 P.2d 1100 (1979), as support for the argument that the KCPA does not apply to an area of substantive law that is the subject of other specific legislation. In Chelsea Plaza, this court held that the Kansas Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (KRLTA), K.S.A. 58-2540, et seq., is specific legislation, complete in itself, which takes precedence over the broad KCPA and controls all transactions within its purview; thus, the KCPA is inapplicable to arrangements that fall within the provisions of the KRLTA. Chelsea Plaza has been distinguished in two federal cases: Skeet v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 760 F.Supp. 872, 876 (D.Kan.1991) (KCPA claim not preempted by Kansas Optometric Act in case against Sears for dispensing contact lenses without proper prescription), and Bailey v. Morgan Drive-Away, Inc., 647 F.Supp. 648, 655-56 (D.Kan. 1986) (KCPA claim not preempted by Kansas Corporation Commission's regulation of intrastate common carriers; court found no inherent conflict between laws). Williamson accurately points out that there is no single act or all-encompassing statutory scheme concerning medical malpractice comparable to the KRLTA at issue in Chelsea Plaza. While the legislature has passed various pieces of legislation affecting various aspects of medical malpractice litigation, it has not passed any legislation which precludes coverage for medical negligence claims under the KCPA. Cf. Chapman, 826 S.W.2d at 218 (Texas' Medical Liability Act specifically precludes coverage for medical negligence claims under that state's DTPA). Because the language of the KCPA is broad enough to encompass a claim regarding the providing of medical care or treatment services brought by a patient against a physician for a violation under the KCPA, the district court's order granting summary judgment in favor of defendant, Dr. Amrani, is reversed.