Opinion ID: 1773140
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: where was dr. clayton at fault?

Text: Every other doctor who read the July films knew something very significant which Dr. Clayton did not know when he made his July 9 report. Every other doctor, including Robertson, knew Thompson's history of having sustained a blow so severe that his thumb had been knocked out of place. This lack of information was particularly deceptive to Dr. Clayton. He was led to believe the injury was not severe enough to knock the thumb out of place, when in fact it was. Every other doctor knew the thumb had been dislocated in the original injury. Every other doctor knew he was looking at an x-ray of what in truth and fact had been a substantial sprain, regardless of what the x-ray films showed. The question is not whether Dr. Robertson actually saw evidence of three bone splinters on the July films to which he testified. There is absolutely no way this question can ever be answered. Five physicians of equal skill of Dr. Robertson positively testified they were not there. And, there is nothing about these films which will ever answer the question for sure, one way or another. Three spots, probably none of which was as much as a tenth of an inch in size, hardly add to certainty. The question is whether Dr. Clayton can be faulted for not seeing what Dr. Robertson claims he should have seen on July 9. When four other highly skilled specialists, engaged in daily practice in this state, after deliberate study of these x-ray films, knowing they were going to testify under oath, could see none of them, how can Dr. Clayton be said to have breached the standard of care he owed Thompson? Furthermore, Dr. Clayton had the particular areas on the films blown up and dared the world to find the bone fragments. Thus far, no one has pointed them out where a layman can see them on the film. Finally, and most conclusively, Dr. Meyer performed two surgical procedures on this joint on January 18, 1980, and March 22, 1981. As opposed to an x-ray film, he did see inside the thumb, and in neither surgical report did he note anything about any fracture. Then, as a witness, he testified he saw no sign of fracture while performing surgery. If Dr. Robertson were correct, it is inconceivable Dr. Meyer would not have noted signs of bone fragments of a deformed bone in the thumb when he was performing surgery. If this were all we had in this case, I would have to conclude that the overwhelming weight of the evidence showed Dr. Clayton made a professionally competent examination of the July 9 x-ray films.