Opinion ID: 1161746
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Imputation to Dr. Hill

Text: The case for imputation of Dr. Feagin's course of treatment to Dr. Hill is more tenuous, as the continued reliance factor is not as certain. Although Dr. Feagin relied upon Dr. Hill's frozen section diagnosis during surgery, portions of his deposition testimony suggest that he did not treat it as a definitive diagnosis. Dr. Feagin noted that a frozen section is a rapid, incomplete analysis, and it's a guideline but it's not a definitive diagnosis. Dr. Feagin also stated that a frozen section diagnosis is not always clinically accurate and that is the reason for permanent section microscopic diagnosis. Other portions of Dr. Feagin's deposition testimony suggest that he might have relied on the conclusions of both pathologists in determining appellant's treatment. Moreover, the written pathological report, although signed only by Dr. Fogarty, contained Dr. Hill's diagnosis as well. In light of this evidence, the extent of Dr. Feagin's continued reliance on Dr. Hill's frozen section diagnosis, although potentially slight, is sufficiently unsettled to preclude summary judgment. Consequently, we cannot affirm the summary judgment in favor of Dr. Hill on statute of limitations grounds. This conclusion also applies to the vicarious liability claim against the hospital relating to Dr. Hill.