Opinion ID: 1857537
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: occurrence of injury in absence of negligence

Text: We begin by noting that the first element of res ipsa loquitur requires a plaintiff to show that the injury incurred is one which would not, in the ordinary course of events, happen in the absence of negligence. Roberts v. Weber & Sons, Co., supra . The affidavits of the appellees essentially state that there always exists an inherent risk that a patient under general anesthesia may suffer damage to the teeth, even if the proper standard of care is adhered to. The evidence proffered by the appellees further states that it is impossible to say if or when a patient will bite down on the mouthpieces used with an endotracheal intubation and that there is no manner in which to prevent such an occurrence. Finally, the affidavits offered by the appellees state that the proper standard of care was met or exceeded during Chism's surgery. The affidavits offered by Chism do not refute these statements. As noted above, Chism's dentist, Tafoya, did not state that there is no inherent risk that a fixed percentage of anesthetized persons will suffer damage to the teeth; rather, he simply stated that he has not become aware of any such fixed percentage. Furthermore, Tafoya's opinion that Chism should not have suffered damage to her tooth unless there were some extraordinary circumstances in no way negates the statements in the appellees' affidavits that the proper standard of care was met or exceeded. In addition, Chism offered no evidence or affidavit refuting Timm's statements that there is no way to prevent an unconscious patient from biting down on the mouthpieces used with an endotracheal intubation. Since these facts were not contradicted, we treat them as undisputed for purposes of summary judgment. See, Washa v. Miller, 249 Neb. 941, 546 N.W.2d 813 (1996); Raskey v. Michelin Tire Corp., 223 Neb. 520, 391 N.W.2d 123 (1986). Because the uncontroverted facts in this case establish that a fixed percentage of patients under general anesthesia will suffer damage to the teeth even in the absence of negligence and that there is simply no manner in which to prevent such an occurrence, we hold that the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur is inapplicable as a matter of law. See, e.g., Hughes v. Hastings, 225 Tenn. 386, 469 S.W.2d 378 (1971) (res ipsa loquitur inappropriate when record shows damage to patient's tooth while plaintiff was under general anesthesia could not have been prevented); Tappe v. Iowa Methodist Medical Center, 477 N.W.2d 396 (Iowa 1991) (res ipsa loquitur cannot apply when all experts agree that stroke occurs in fixed percentage of all bypass surgeries even in absence of negligence); Piquette v. Midtown Anesthesia Assoc., 192 Ill.App.3d 219, 139 Ill.Dec. 274, 548 N.E.2d 659 (1989) (res ipsa loquitur held not to apply where defendants' affidavits establish that broken teeth are risk of laryngoscopic procedure); Perin v. Hayne, 210 N.W.2d 609 (Iowa 1973) (res ipsa loquitur held inapplicable where nerve injury from procedure used is inherent risk even when due care is used). Chism relied solely upon the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur in bringing this action. Because we hold the doctrine to be inapplicable in light of the undisputed facts, summary judgment was appropriately granted in favor of the appellees. See Anderson v. Service Merchandise Co., 240 Neb. 873, 485 N.W.2d 170 (1992).