Opinion ID: 2458990
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: was there substantial evidence to support the jury verdict?

Text: Oza Mae Rogers died of brain damage seven days after she sustained injuries in an automobile accident. Bobby Rogers, administrator of the estate, sued both Suburban Hospital and Dr. Morton Kasdan, the treating physician, for wrongful death. At trial, the jury returned a verdict for Rogers and awarded $204,864.84 damages, apportioned 60% against the hospital and 40% against the doctor. The Court of Appeals reversed the judgment and directed that the complaint be dismissed, holding that the negligence of the hospital was not a substantial factor in causing Mrs. Rogers' death and that the doctor's actions did not amount to a failure to meet the required standard of care. We disagree. There was more than sufficient evidence introduced at trial to create a jury question on each of these issues. Briefly, our review of the record reveals testimony from the hospital administrator and members of the nursing staff that adopted rules of hospital procedure were not followed in Mrs. Rogers' case. Input/output records for fluids were not accurately compiled or totaled. Emergency room records were not adequately completed. There were discrepancies among the various sets of records, and many were illegible and incomplete. The doctor's written orders did not correspond with the written records of the care actually provided, and the nurses' notes did not comport with the medication records. Mrs. Rogers' death was caused by brain damage which resulted from untreated water intoxication brought on by more fluid than her body could handle. We are convinced that the evidence was sufficient to support the jury's finding that the hospital's negligence was a substantial factor in causing her death. Two expert witnesses so testified, and the jury was entitled to accept the theory of the plaintiff as opposed to that of the defendant, which was also supported by expert testimony. There is also ample support in the record for the jury's finding of negligence on the part of the treating physician, Dr. Kasdan, a plastic surgeon. Three doctors testified for the plaintiff, each expressing the opinion that an impact sufficient to cause Mrs. Rogers' facial injuries should have alerted a plastic surgeon to the possibility of brain injury. Further, Dr. Kasdan admitted that the drug he prescribed was later discontinued because it conceals signs of neurological problems, and is specifically inappropriate for patients with head injuries. Two of the expert witnesses for the plaintiff stated unequivocally that Mrs. Rogers' death was caused in part by deficiencies in medical care rendered by both the doctor and the hospital, and that the care rendered was not medically sound practice. The Court of Appeals explained that, in its estimation, the medical procedures used did not fall below the standard of conduct applicable to the circumstances of the case. However, the real question is whether the estimation of the jury is supported by substantial and competent evidence. Commonwealth v. S & M Land Co., Inc., Ky., 503 S.W.2d 495 (1972); Ohio Valley Terminix Corp. v. Rudolph, Ky., 444 S.W.2d 114 (1969). If it was, the appellate court may not invade the province of the jury by substituting its judgment for that of the proper trier of fact. Our review of the record reveals substantial evidence to support the verdict of the jury.