Court Opinion

ID: 9964079
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-26 20:10:16.49489+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:25:09.738055
License: Public Domain

Khenkina v Maimonides Med. Ctr.
               2024 NY Slip Op 31409(U)
                     April 19, 2024
             Supreme Court, Kings County
         Docket Number: Index No. 523893/17
               Judge: Genine D. Edwards
Cases posted with a "30000" identifier, i.e., 2013 NY Slip
 Op 30001(U), are republished from various New York
 State and local government sources, including the New
  York State Unified Court System's eCourts Service.
 This opinion is uncorrected and not selected for official
                       publication.
 [FILED: KINGS COUNTY CLERK 04/22/2024 12:31 P~                                                       INDEX NO. 523893/2017
  NYSCEF DOC. NO. 109                                                                         RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/22/2024

                                                                            At an IAS Term, Part MMESP6 of the
                                                                            Supreme Court of the State of New York,
                                                                            held in and for the County of Kings, at the
                                                                            Courthouse, at 3 60 Adams Street, Brooklyn,
                                                                            New York, on the 19th day of April 2024.
           PRES ENT:

           HON. GENINE D. EDWARDS,
                                Justice.
           -------------------------------------------------------------x
           INESSA KHENKINA, as Administratrix of the
           Estate of MIKHAIL LIVSHITZ, and INESSA
           KHENKINA, Individually,
                                        Plaintiffs,                                 DECISION AND ORDER
                            -against-                                               Index No. 523893/17
           MAIMONIDES MEDICAL CENTER and                                            Mot. Seq. No. 4
           HA YM SOLOMON HOME FOR THE AGED, LLC,
           d/b/a HA YM SOLOMON HOME FOR NURSING &
           REHABILITATION,
                                    Defendants.
           -------------------------------------------------------------x
           The following e-filed papers read herein:                                NYSCEF Doc Nos.:

           Notice of Motion, Affirmations, and Exhibits ............................... 78-101
           Affirmations in Opposition, and Exhibits .................................... 104-107
           Reply Affirmation ................................................................ 108

                   In this action to recover damages for, inter alia, nursing-home malpractice, Haym

           Solomon Home for the Aged, LLC, doing business as Haym Solomon Home for Nursing

           & Rehabilitation ("defendant"), renewed, as permitted by the Court's order, dated May

           22, 2023, its prior motion for summary judgment dismissing all claims of Inessa

           Khenkina, individually and as the administratrix of the Estate of her late father, Mikhail

           Livshitz ( collectively, "plaintiff'), as against it. Plaintiff opposed the motion.

           Codefendant Maimonides Medical Center ("MMC") did not respond to the motion.

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                                                      Background

                  From April 29, 2013 until his death on August 27. 2016, plaintiffs decedent,

           Mikhail Livshits (the --patient"), an octogenarian, continuously resided at defendant's

           nursing home (the ''facility"), with intermittent hospitalizations at the non-movant MMC

           and at the non-party New York Community Hospital c·NYCH'"). During his admission to

           defendant's facility, his medical history was significant for dementia, pulmonary disease,

           congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation. hypertension. coronary artery disease, and a

           pennanent pacemaker. He required assistance with bed mobility. transfers, dressing,

           eating, toilet use, walking, and personal hygiene.

                  During his residence in defendant's facility. the patient suffered several medical

           emergencies for which he was transferred to MMC (and, where appropriate, to NYCH)

           for treatment. During his July 2015 hospitalization at MMC for hyponatremia and

           infection, the patient fell, sustaining an acute (which subsequently progressed to a

           subacute or chronic) subdural hematoma. 1 Three months later, on October 1, 2015, he

           was re-hospitalized at MMC for a new ··acute on subacute" subdural hematoma which

           was in addition to his pre-existing subacute (or chronic) subdural hcmatoma. The newly

           discovered subdural hematoma was described as being of a "mixed attenuation" or mixed

           density, thus suggesting repeated episodes of acute bleeding that could have been brought

           on by even the slightest of trauma. Defendant's and MM C's respective medical records

           1
            "Subdural hematomas that persist beyond the 21-day period are considered chronic subdural
           hematomas, which is one of the most common traumatic conditions in the elderly population."
           Defendant's expert affirmation.

                                                                                                                            · I
                                                             2

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           for the patient did not reflect any then-recent traumatic event at either facility, with the

           aforementioned July 2015 episode at MMC representing the patient's then-most recent

           fall.

                     Upon readmission to defendant's facility on October 5, 2015, the patient was

           noted to have been then suffering from three bedsores: ( 1) a Stage I sacral ulcer ( 5 cm x 8

           cm); (2) a Stage I right heel ulcer (3 cm x 3 cm); and (3) unstageable left heel ulcer (3 cm

           x l cm). Wound-care treatment was promptly implemented, with some success.

                     Six months later, on February 15, 2016, while still residing at defendant's facility,

           the patient was found naked (other than wearing a diaper) in a sitting position on his

           roommate's floor mat. 2 He exhibited a laceration (2 cm x 3 cm) on his right occiput (back

           of the head) with minimal bleeding. He was alert but confused. After a prompt transfer to

           MMC for a radiology study, which revealed no acute findings, he was returned to

           defendant's facility the same day.

                     In response to the patient's February 15, 2016 fall at defendant's facility, its

           personnel intensified the patient's fall-protection measures. Nonetheless, approximately

           1-½ months later, on April 3, 2016. the patient was once again found lying on his back on

           the floor mat. Immediately before his fall that day. he had removed his bed alarm and

           once again got out of bed unassisted. An on-site physical examination revealed that he

           had suffered no injuries from his fall. Defendant's earlier fall-protection measures for the

           patient were enhanced, including a replacement of his bed alann. Two days later, on

           2
               The patient shared a room with another resident during his stay at defendant's facility.

                                                                   3

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             April 5, 2016, the patient was caught trying to remove his bed alarm in yet another

             attempt to get out of bed unassisted. 3

                     Four months later, on August 8, 2016, the patient was hospitalized at NYCH for

             altered mental state, mutism. and inability to sit straight in his wheelchair. At NYCH, he

             was diagnosed with hyponatremia and rhabdomyolysis (a breakdown of muscle tissue

             with ensuing kidney damage). A head CT scan, performed at NYCH, revealed that the

             patient had: (I) a bilateral iso-dense subdural hematoma likely to be subacute in the

             bilateral parietal lobe superior lesions, which were superimposed on severe chronic

             central and peripheral atrophy; and (2) chronic infarcts. After the patient failed a swallow

             study, he was equipped with a PEG tube and was discharged from NYCH to defendant's

             facility on August 19, 2016.

                     Upon his readmission to defendant's facility on August 19, 2016, the patient was

             discovered to have been suffering from gangrene in his left leg. The patient was

             immediately returned to NYCH where, on physical examination, he exhibited an acute

             left leg discoloration from below his left knee to his left toes. An ultrasound study of the

             patient's left leg revealed a complete obstruction that was proximal to his left popliteal

             artery. The following day, August 20, 2016, the patient was returned to defendant's
I
             facility from NYCH without surgical intervention. Following his readmission to

             3
               Plaintiffs allegations, advanced for the first time in opposition to defendant's motion, that the patient
             fell at defendant's facility on August 7, 2016 (albeit without apparent injuries) and again on August 13.
             2016 (although defendant's records did not so reflect), were untimely and could not be considered. See
             Campbell v. Ditmas Park Rehahililution & Care Cir., LLC, _ A.D.3d _ , _ N.Y.S.3d _ ,
             2024 N.Y. Slip Op. 01697 (2d Dept. 2024).

                                                                   4

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              defendant's facility. the patient was placed on the hospice-care floor where he passed

              away on August 2 7, 2016, at the age of 86.

                         On December 12, 2017, the patient's daughter, individually and as the

              administratrix of his Estate, commenced this action against defendant (among others). On

              April 13. 2018. defendant joined issue. After discovery was completed and a note of issue

              was filed, defendant timely moved for summary judgment. Following the Court's denial

              of defendant's motion without prejudice to resubmit. defendant timely renewed its

              motion for summary judgment. On November 3. 2023, defendant's renewed motion was

              marked submitted. The well-established standard of summary judgment is omitted from

              this decision and order in the interest of brevity.

                                                               Discussion

                         Defendant established its prima facie entitlement to judgment as a matter of law

              via, among other submissions, an affirmation of Mark Lachs, M.D., M.P.H. ("Dr.

              Lachs"), a New York State-licensed physician who was board-certified in internal

              medicine with a sub-certification in geriatrics. 4 Dr. Lachs opined, on the subject of the

              patient's falls, that: (1) "[defendant] did not depart, err, or deviate from good and

I.             accepted standards of care or with respect to fall prevention and precautions in the

               treatment and care of the [patient] during his admission [at defendant's facility]";

              (2) "[ defendanf s] medical and nursing staff ... did not cause or contribute to

               4
                   Dr. Lachs' Expert Affirmation, dated July 21, 2023.

                                                                     5

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           any of the [alleged] injuries''; and (3) "all care and treatment rendered to [the patient]

           conformed to all applicable statutes, rules and regulations." 5 More specifically. Dr. Lachs

           opined that the patient's medical records at both defendant's facility and at MMC refuted

           plain ti ff s contention that the patient fell at defendant's facility on any /all of the

           following dates: June 11, 2015. June 26, 2015, and/or August 3, 2015. 6 Rather. as

           Dr. Lachs emphasized:

                       "[T]he only documented fall that resulted in any notable injury to [the
                       patient] occurred on July 24, 2015 during his hospitalization at [MMC].
                       The fall resulted in an acute subdura/ hematoma over the right frontal
                       convexity with a mild mass effect on the underlying parenchyma. Due to
                       [the patient's] advanced age and global decline. with [multiple
                       comorbidities], [the patient} was unable to return to baseline, which was
                       already compromised prior to [such fall]. [The] July 24, 2015 fall at
                       [MMC] was a catalytic event that initiated a geriatric cascade into rapid
                       global decline leading to [his] death. '' 7

                        Regarding the patient's subsequent falls at defendant's facility, Dr. Lachs opined

           that "none of [those] falls led to a serious injury and [. equally important,] that all [of

           them] were unavoidable as a result of [the patient's persistent} noncompliance.'' 8 As

           Dr. Lachs explained, ;,[defendant] exhausted all efforts to ensure [the patient's] safety

            and prevent his falls while still maintaining his dignity" (i.e., avoiding the placement of

            the patient in restraints). 9

                                                                                                                          I
                                                                                                                          I

            5
                Id., ,r 43.
            6
                Id., ,r,r 46-47.
            7
                Id., ,r 48 (emphasis added).
            8
                Id., ,r 51.
            9
                Id., ,r 51.

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                      Next. Dr. Lachs opined. on the subject of the patient's bedsores, that their

           development was "the unavoidable result of [his] progressive illnesses, such as dementia,

           diabetes, hypertension, history of strokes, and declining mobility. [In Dr. Lachs' s

           opinion, any] development of pressure ulcers or pressure injuries was the consequence of

           [the patient's] debility caused by his multiple longstanding comorbidities." 10

                      Finally, Dr. Lachs addressed (and rebutted in detail) plaintiff's scattered

           contentions that could be distiIIed into the categories of: (I) nutrition and hydration;

           (2) alleged violations of the Public Health Law; (3) punitive damages and gross

           negligence~ and (4) wrongful death. 11

                      Dr. Lachs's affirmation, together with defendant's other submissions, established

           its prima facie entitlement to judgment as a matter of law. See Campbell v. Ditmas Park

           Rehabilitation & Care Ctr., LLC, _         A.D.3d _ , _      N.Y.S.3d _ , 2024 N.Y. Slip

           Op. 01697 (2d Dept. 2024); Van DeVeerdonk v. North Westchester Restorative Therapy

           & Nursing Ctr., 223 A.D.3d 702. 204 N.Y.S.3d 132 (2d Dept. 2024): Barnaman v.

           Bishop Hue/es Episcopal Nursing Home, 213 A.D.3d 896, 184 N.Y.S.3d 800 (2d Dept.

           2023); Rosario v. Our Lady of Consolation Nursing & Rehabilitation Care Ctr.. 186

           A.D.3d 1426, 128 N.Y.S.3d 906 (2d Dept. 2020).

                      In opposition to defendant's prima facie showing, plaintiffs experts - a New York

           State-licensed physician who was board-certified in internal medicine with a sub-

           10
                Id.,~ 54.
           ll Id.,~~ 52, 55, 57-61.

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           certification in geriatrics ("plain ti ff' s geriatrician "), and Charlotte Sheppard, a board-

           certified registered nurse ("Nurse Sheppard'' and collectively, "plaintiffs experts") 12 -

            failed to raise a triable issue of fact on the element ofproximate cause as to any of

           plaintiff's causes of action against defendant. Plaintiffs experts' respective opinions

           were speculative. conclusory, and nonresponsive to the specific assertions of defendant's

           expert, Dr. Lachs, in that the patient's claimed injuries: (I) were either

           minor/inconsequential or were not proximately caused by defendant's alleged

           acts/omissions in the instance of the patient's falls; or (2) were clinically unavoidable in

           the instance of the patient's bedsores. See Campbell,_ A.D.3d _ , _                 N.Y.S.3d _ ,

           2024 N.Y. Slip Op. 01697; Van DeVeerdonk v. North Westchester Restorative Therapy &

           Nursing Ctr., 223 A.D.3d 702,204 N.Y.S.3d 132 (2d Dept. 2024). affg 2019 WL

            13079049 (Sup. Ct., Westchester County 2019); Russell v. River Manor Corp.,

           216 A.D.3d 827. 188 N.Y.S.3d 191 (2d Dept. 2023); Barnaman v. Bishop Hucles

            Episcopal Nursing Home. 213 A.D.3d 896. 184 N.Y.S.3d 800 (2d Dept. 2023); Losak v.

           St. James Rehabilitation & Healthcare Ctr., 199 A.D.3d 671, 156 N.Y.S.3d 406

           (2d Dept. 2021), rev'g 2018 WL 11351138 (Sup. Ct., Suffolk County 2018); Lowe v.

           Japal, 170 A.D.3d 701. 95 N.Y.S.3d 363 (2d Dept.2019); Ciccotto v. Fulton Commons

           Care Ctr., Inc., 149 A.D.3d 1030, 53 N.Y.SJd 338 (2d Dept. 2017); Novickv. South

            Nassau Communities Hosp., 136 A.D.3d 999. 26 N.Y.S.3d 182 (2d Dept. 2016); DePaso

            12 Expert Affinnation in Opposition to Defendant Haym Solomon[·s Motion]. dated September 22, 2023

           (NYSCEF Doc No. I 05); Nursing Affirmation in Opposition to Defendant Haym Solomon['s Motion],
           dated September 22, 203.

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           v. Sarah Neuman Ctr. for Healthcare & Rehabilitation, 119 A.D.3d 727, 989 N.Y.S.2d

           310 (2d Dept. 2014). See also Topel v. Long Is. Jewish Med. Ctr., 55 N.Y.2d 682,

           446 N.Y.S.2d 932 (1981).

                 Further, Nurse Sheppard was not a medical doctor and thus was not qualified to

           opine, with respect to allegations sounding in medical malpractice/wrongful death and

           pertaining to medical determinations as to what a physician should or should not have

           done, "as to whether any deviation was a proximate cause of the injuries." Boltyansky v.

           New York Community Hosp., 175 A.D.3d 1478, 108 N.Y.S.3d 188 (2d Dept. 2019); see

           Novick, 136 A.D.3d 999, 26 N.Y.S.3d 182; Elliot v. Long Is. Home, Ltd., 12 A.D.3d 481,

           784 N.Y.S.2d 615 (2d Dept. 2004). See also Zak v. Brookhaven Mem. Hosp. Med. Ctr.,

           54 A.D.3d 852, 863 N.Y.S.2d 821 (2d Dept. 2008).

                 Plaintiffs request for punitive damages was without merit. See Valensi v. Park

           Ave. Operating Co., LLC, 169 A.D.3d 960, 94 N.Y.S.3d 311 (2d Dept. 2019).

                 The Court considered plaintiffs remaining contentions and found them

           unavailing.

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                                                             Conclusion

                    Based upon the foregoing, it is

                    ORDERED that the renewed motion of defendant Haym Solomon Home for the

           Aged, LLC, doing business as Haym Solomon Home for Nursing & Rehabilitation, is

           granted, and the complaint is dismissed as against it without costs or disbursements, and

           it is further

                    ORDERED that the clerk is directed to enter judgment in favor of defendant

           Haym Solomon Home for the Aged, LLC, doing business as Haym Solomon Home for

           Nursing & Rehabilitation, and it is further

                    ORDERED that the action is severed and continued as against Maimonides

           Medical Center, and it is further

                    ORDERED that to reflect the dismissal of defendant Haym Solomon Home for the

           Aged, LLC, doing business as Haym Solomon Home for Nursing & Rehabilitation, from

           this action, the caption is amended to read as follows:

           -------------------------------------------------------------X
           INESSA KHENKINA, as Administratrix of the
           Estate of MIKHAIL LIVSHITZ. and INESSA
           KHENKINA, Individually,
                                               Plaintiffs,
                             -against-
           MAIMONIDES MEDICAL CENTER,

                                               Defendant.
            -------------------------------------------------------------X

                    ; and it is further

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                   ORDERED that defendant's counsel shall electronically serve a copy of this

           decision and order with notice of entry on the respective counsel to plaintiff and MMC,

           and to electronically file an affidavit of service thereof with the Kings County Clerk, and

           it is further

                   ORDERED that the remaining parties are reminded of their scheduled virtual

           appearance for a pretrial conference in the Medical Malpractice Trial Readiness Part on

           June 3, 2024, at 11 :00 a.m.

                   This constitutes the Decision and Order of the Court.

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