Opinion ID: 2417477
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Dismissal of Dr. Everett

Text: The guardians argue that the trial court erred in dismissing Dr. Karen Everett upon her motion for directed verdict. Dr. Karen Everett was a neurology resident when she conducted an examination of Emily Golden on August 4, 1989. Dr. Bernadette Lange was the staff pediatric neurologist who supervised Dr. Everett. Dr. Everett signed the report regarding Emily Golden, and the report was counter-signed by Dr. Lange. The guardians assert Dr. Everett's examination ignored symptoms that Emily Golden had a spinal cord injury and did not recommend any follow up treatment. On appeal, the guardians submit that the total evidence justified submitting Dr. Everett's negligence to the jury. In determining whether a directed verdict should have been granted, we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the party against whom the verdict is sought and give it its highest probative value, taking into account all reasonable inferences deducible from it. Morehart v. Dillard Dep't. Stores, 322 Ark. 290, 908 S.W.2d 331 (1995). A motion for directed verdict should be granted only if there is no substantial evidence to support a jury verdict. Id. Where the evidence is such that fair-minded persons might reach different conclusions, then a jury question is presented, and the directed verdict should be reversed. Id. The guardians principally rely upon the testimony of Dr. John Menkes, a pediatric neurologist, who testified as an expert for the guardians. During direct examination, he testified that it was below the standard of care not to bring Emily Golden back for further examination. On cross-examination, Dr. Menkes testified that Dr. Everett and Dr. Lange did not violate any standard of care in not detecting a spinal cord lesion on August 4, 1989, and that his only criticism was that they should have brought the child back for a follow-up examination. Dr. Menkes further testified that Dr. Everett originally wrote RTC, return to clinic, which was scratched out when Dr. Lange determined a follow-up visit was not necessary. Dr. Menkes testified that his criticism of Dr. Everett was that she should have overruled Dr. Lange and insisted the child return to the clinic. However, Dr. Menkes further stated that if it is the customary practice at UAMS for the staff doctor, and not the resident, to have the final word, then Dr. Everett would not have such authority; Dr. Menkes did not know the customary practice at UAMS. In granting the directed verdict, the trial court commented that Dr. Menkes's criticism concerned the return to the clinic and concluded Dr. Menkes was not familiar with the standard of care at the University of Arkansas Medical School as to the duties of a resident in this situation. Once again, the guardians failed to present proof of the applicable standard of care and of the defendant's failure to comply with that standard. Blankenship v. Burnett, 304 Ark. 469, 803 S.W.2d 539 (1991); Brumley v. Naples, supra .