Opinion ID: 2599136
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Superior Court Appropriately Granted Summary Judgment.

Text: To defeat a motion for summary judgment under Alaska Civil Rule 56(e), a party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of the adverse party's pleading, but the adverse party's response, by affidavits or as otherwise provided by this rule, must set forth specific facts showing there is a genuine issue for trial. Kaiser failed to offer affidavits or other evidence in support of his claim. [16] Because undisputed facts entitle the movant to judgment as a matter of law, summary judgment was appropriate. [17] Our decision in another malpractice case, Kendall v. State, Division of Corrections, supports the grant of summary judgment below, as well. [18] In Kendall, an expert advisory panel concluded that the standard of care had been met, and the trial court granted the defendant summary judgment based on this evidence. [19] We affirmed the grant of summary judgment because Kendall bore the burden of demonstrating how she would prove her case. She presented no expert affidavits and did not show, based on the evidence that was presented, that a reasonably arguable case of medical negligence existed. [20] Kaiser's failure to support his claims is very similar to that of the plaintiff in Kendall. Therefore, the superior court properly granted summary judgment.
Kaiser argues that Dr. Roth's expert affidavit is insufficient to support summary judgment under AS 09.20.185. Because he raises this challenge for the first time before this court, it is waived. [21] Moreover, it appears that Dr. Roth's affidavit does assert facts sufficient to qualify him as an expert under AS 09.20.185. According to Kaiser, the affidavit does not reflect whether Dr. Roth has the training or certification required by AS 09.20.185(a)(2) and (3). [22] However, Dr. Roth's affidavit specifically lists his training and certification: 1. I am a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of California.... I have been board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation since 1986. 2. I have been practicing physical medicine and rehabilitation since 1985. In addition to practicing, I also served as a clinical instructor.