Court Opinion

ID: 4508221
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-02-18 19:09:05.374999+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:52:17.531857
License: Public Domain

J-A25016-19

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

 JOSEPH W. PILCHESKY                         :   IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                             :        PENNSYLVANIA
                     Appellant               :
                                             :
                                             :
               v.                            :
                                             :
                                             :
 MARYLOU RAINONE, D.O.;                      :   No. 57 MDA 2019
 GEISINGER GENERAL SURGERY                   :
 POTTSVILLE, A/K/A GEISINGER                 :
 MEDICAL CENTER, GEISINGER                   :
 HEALTH, GEISINGER HOSPITAL                  :
 AND/OR GEISINGER MEDICAL                    :
 GROUP                                       :

             Appeal from the Order Entered November 27, 2018
     In the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County Civil Division at
                             No(s): S-1857-17

BEFORE: STABILE, J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and MUSMANNO, J.

MEMORANDUM BY McLAUGHLIN, J.:                       FILED FEBRUARY 18, 2020

      Joseph W. Pilchesky appeals from the order sustaining the Preliminary

Objections of above-captioned Defendants and dismissing his medical

malpractice case with prejudice. Pilchesky argues that the court erred in

sustaining Defendants’ Preliminary Objections on the basis that Pilchesky

failed to file a valid certificate of merit. We affirm.

      Pilchesky, who has represented himself throughout this action, filed a

Complaint against Dr. Marylou Rainone alleging that in February 2014, Dr.

Rainone negligently performed a dual hernia repair surgery. The surgery

involved implanting mesh in Pilchesky’s groin area. Pilchesky claimed that in
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December 2017, his 2014 hernia surgery failed, and he underwent a second,

emergency surgery to his right groin area. This latter surgery was performed

by a Dr. Hughes.

      Dr. Rainone filed a notice of intention to enter a judgment of non pros

due to Pilchesky’s failure to file a certificate of merit. See Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3;

1042.6. Pilchesky then filed a certificate of merit in which he stated that expert

testimony   was    unnecessary    to   prosecute   his   claim.   See   Pa.R.C.P.

1042.3(a)(3). The certificate of merit was not signed by an attorney, and was

not accompanied by a written statement from a licensed professional. See

Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3(e).

      Pilchesky thereafter filed an Amended Complaint, Second Amended

Complaint, and Third Amended Complaint. In the Third Amended Complaint,

Pilchesky repeated his claims of medical malpractice against Dr. Rainone.

Pilchesky also put forth negligence claims against Geisinger General Surgery

Pottsville, a.k.a. Geisinger Medical Center, Geisinger Health, Geisinger

Hospital, and/or Geisinger Medical Group (“Geisinger”). Pilchesky alleged

Geisinger was Dr. Rainone’s employer, and “acted by and through its agent,

ostensible agent, servant, and/or employee, Marylou Rainone, D.O., in

providing . . . medical services to Pilchesky,” and that Geisinger “is vicariously

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responsible for the actions of its agent, Marylou Rainone, D.O.” Third Amended

Complaint at ¶ 59, 65, 67.1

       Defendants     filed   Preliminary      Objections   to   the   Third   Amended

Complaint. In pertinent part, Defendants demurred to the Third Amended

Complaint because Pilchesky had failed to file a certificate of merit

accompanied by a statement by a licensed medical professional supporting his

claim. Pilchesky filed an Answer to the Preliminary Objections, arguing a

statement by a medical professional was unnecessary because he intended to

introduce into evidence the medical reports of Dr. Rainone and Dr. Hughes,

and to call them as trial witnesses.

       The trial court issued an order overruling Defendants’ objection

regarding Pilchesky’s failure to file a certificate of merit. The order stated

Defendants had failed to follow the procedure established by Pa.R.C.P.

1042.3(e), which requires defendants to seek a non pros when a plaintiff does

not file a certificate of merit accompanied by a written statement by an

appropriate licensed professional. See Order, 7/20/18, at ¶ 1.

       However, at a subsequent hearing on the remaining preliminary

objections, the court questioned Pilchesky regarding his certificate of merit.

Pilchesky “informed the [c]ourt that he had been attempting to get in contact

with Dr. Hughes, the surgeon who performed the second emergency repair
____________________________________________

1Pilchesky also alleged Dr. Rainone was negligent for failing to perform pre-
operative testing that would have revealed heart blockages that could have
been fatal during his first hernia surgery. The court sustained Defendants’
demurrer to this count, and Pilchesky has not appealed that ruling.

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hernia surgery, but that the doctor was not responding.” Trial Court Opinion

(“Tr. Ct. Op.”), filed 2/15/19, at 7; see also N.T., 9/5/18, at 3, 7-8. Pilchesky

told the court that he “was not certain whether his case fell under any

exception which would excuse the lack of a certificate of merit,” and “he did

not know what exceptions might apply, and he did not have the current Rules

of Civil Procedure.” Tr. Ct. Op. at 7; see also N.T. at 5.

      The court informed Pilchesky that he would need to file a certificate of

merit accompanied by a statement by a licensed professional in order to

proceed with his medical malpractice action, and that the court would give

him an addition 45 days to file one. Pilchesky responded that 45 days “was

enough time for him to do so,” and said, “That’s a fair amount of time.” Tr.

Ct. Op. at 8; N.T. at 7. Pilchesky reminded the court that it had previously

been of the opinion “that the preliminary objections was the wrong procedure

to attack the lack of a Certificate of Merit,” and that Defendants should file a

praecipe for a judgment of non pros, after which Pilchesky “would respond

accordingly.” N.T. at 7. The court responded that because he was present at

the hearing on the preliminary objections, Pilchesky was aware of the issue,

and the court was giving Pilchesky extra time to file a new certificate of merit.

Id. Pilchesky responded, “I will do my best.” Id. The court also advised

Pilchesky to hire legal representation. Id. at 8-9.

      The court memorialized its decision by issuing a written order on

September 7, 2018, directing Pilchesky to file a certificate of merit by October

22, 2018, 45 days later. The order stated, “In the event [Pilchesky] is unable

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to comply with this requirement, the court may at that time grant Defendants’

preliminary objection [and dismiss] the case with prejudice.” Order, 9/7/18,

at 1. The order also stated that the court had “advised the parties that [it]

would treat the preliminary objection regarding the Certificate of Merit to

comply with [Rule Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3].” Id. at 1 n.1.

       Pilchesky did not file a new certificate of merit. More than a month after

the October 22 deadline had passed, the court entered an order sustaining

Defendants’ demurrer to Pilchesky’s Third Amended Complaint and dismissing

the case with prejudice.

       Pilchesky appealed, and raises the following issues:

       1. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in dismissing the Third
       Amended Complaint against [Dr. Rainone, a] licensed professional
       defendant, a doctor, for [Pilchesky’s] failure to file a Certificate of
       Merit?

       2 Did the trial court err at law in dismissing the Third Amended
       Complaint against [Geisinger], a non-licensed professional
       defendant, a medical business, for the want of [Pilchesky] filing a
       Certificate of Merit?

       3. Did [Rainone/Geisinger] waive their argument that Pilchesky
       failed to file a Certificate of Merit?

Pilchesky’s Br. at 4.2

____________________________________________

2 Pilchesky’s brief is not organized into sections corresponding to his questions
presented, in contravention of Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a). We do not believe this failing
has hindered our ability to consider Pilchesky’s arguments, and we therefore
do not find waiver. However, to the extent we have misunderstood or failed
to consider any argument, Pilchesky has waived it by failing to comply with
Rule 2119(a).

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                            I. Certificate of Merit

      Pilchesky argues the court erred in requiring him to file a certificate of

merit accompanied by a written statement by a medical professional.

Pilchesky argues he could prove his claims without providing his own expert,

by cross-examining Dr. Rainone, admitting Dr. Hughes’ medical report into

evidence, and securing Dr. Hughes’ testimony through a subpoena. Pilchesky’s

Br. at 13-15. In the alternative, Pilchesky argues expert testimony is not

required to prove his case, because his hernia operation was not so

complicated that laypersons would not understand the negligent aspects of a

mesh hernia surgery gone wrong. Id. at 14, 20. Pilchesky also posits that his

allegations satisfy the elements of res ipsa loquitur. Id. at 20-22. Pilchesky

tangentially argues he substantially complied with the Rules by filing a

certificate of merit stating his belief that no expert testimony was necessary.

Id. at 18.

      Interpretation of the Rules of Civil Procedure involves a question of law.

We thus employ a de novo standard of review. Bruno v. Erie Ins. Co., 106
A.3d 48, 73 (Pa. 2014).

      Rule 1042.3 of the Rules of Civil Procedure requires that “[i]n any action

based upon an allegation that a licensed professional deviated from an

acceptable professional standard,” the plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney must file

a certificate of merit within 60 days of filing the complaint. Pa.R.C.P.

1042.3(a). The certificate of merit must state one of three things: (1) an

appropriate licensed professional has supplied a written statement that the

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conduct described in the complaint fell outside acceptable professional

standards and caused the plaintiff’s harm; (2) the claim against the defendant

is based solely on allegations that other licensed professionals for whom this

defendant is responsible deviated from an acceptable professional standard;

or (3) the expert testimony of a licensed professional is unnecessary for the

prosecution of the claim. Id. at (a)(1)-(3).

      However, if the certificate of merit is not signed by an attorney, the

plaintiff must attach a written statement from an appropriate licensed

professional supporting the claim. Id. at (e). Thus, reading subsections (a)(2)

and (e) together, the certificate of merit must include a statement from a

licensed professional unless an attorney certifies that expert testimony is

unnecessary; the Rule does not allow a pro se party to certify that expert

testimony is unnecessary. Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3(a)(2) & (e). As an attorney did

not sign Pilchesky’s certificate of merit, the court did not err in requiring

Pilchesky to file a new certificate of merit accompanied by a written statement

by a licensed medical professional. Pilchesky’s arguments that he could

prosecute his claim without expert testimony are beside the point.

      Furthermore, Pilchesky may not rely on expert reports to satisfy the

certificate of merit requirement or to claim substantial compliance with the

Rule. See Womer v. Hilliker, 908 A.2d 269, 278 n.10 (Pa. 2006). Nor do we

consider Pilchesky’s assertions that he will rely on the trial testimony of Dr.

Rainone or Dr. Hughes to be substantial compliance. The Rule does not allow

a pro se plaintiff simply to identify an expert; it requires a written statement

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by that expert supporting the plaintiff’s claim. See Womer, 908 A.2d at 275–

76. In addition, Pilchesky cannot force Drs. Rainone and Hughes to testify as

medical experts against their will. See Boucher v. Pa. Hosp., 831 A.2d 623,

632 (Pa.Super. 2003). The court did not err in requiring Pilchesky to file a

certificate of merit accompanied by a written statement by an appropriate

licensed professional.

                            II. Vicarious Liability

        Pilchesky next argues the court erred in dismissing his claims against

Geisinger because he did not file a valid certificate of merit. Pilchesky’s Br. at

23-24. Pilchesky argues that the Rules do not require him to file a certificate

of merit in relation to his claims against Geisinger, because he is not asserting

a professional liability claim against Geisinger, but rather a vicarious liability

claim. Id.

        A plaintiff whose claim against a defendant “is based solely on

allegations that other licensed professionals for whom this defendant is

responsible deviated from an acceptable professional standard” may file a

certificate of merit stating that such is the case. Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3(a)(2).

However, the plaintiff must also file a certificate of merit as to the other

licensed professional for whom the defendant is allegedly responsible. Id.,

Note.

        Pilchesky’s Third Amended Complaint alleged that Geisinger was

vicariously responsible for Dr. Rainone’s negligence as a licensed professional.

Pilchesky was therefore required to file a certificate of merit stating that his

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claim against Geisinger was based on allegations that a licensed professional

for whom Geisinger was responsible (i.e., Dr. Rainone) deviated from an

acceptable professional standard, as well as a valid certificate of merit as to

Dr. Rainone. As Pilchesky did not comply with these requirements, no relief is

due.

                                      III. Waiver

       Pilchesky argues Defendants waived their objection to his failure to file

a valid certificate of merit, because Defendants never sought judgment non

pros. Pilchesky’s Br. at 15-16, 25.3 Pilchesky offers no authority to support

this proposition, and we have found none. Insofar as Pilchesky maintains he

is due relief because the court sustained Defendants’ demurrer, rather than

requiring Defendants to seek judgment non pros, we conclude no relief is due

for two reasons.

       First, Pilchesky did not preserve this issue below. When Defendants filed

Preliminary Objections raising the lack of a valid certificate of merit, Pilchesky

did not raise it either by filing Preliminary Objections to the Preliminary

Objections, or in his Response to Defendants’ Preliminary Objections. Rather,

Pilchesky’s Response only addressed the requirement that he supply a written

statement by a medical professional. Although Pilchesky briefly raised the
____________________________________________

3 Pilchesky argues for the first time on appeal that the court violated the
doctrine of res judicata by first dismissing Defendants’ preliminary objections
because they failed to seek a non pros, and later ruling in Defendants’ favor
on this issue on subsequent Preliminary Objections. Pilchesky’s Br. at 25-26.
As Pilchesky did not argue res judicata to the trial court, and presents no
supporting authority in his brief, he has waived this issue.

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question at the hearing on the Preliminary Objections, he ultimately

acquiesced to the court’s requiring a certificate of merit. See Commonwealth

v. Hewlett, 189 A.3d 1004, 1010 (Pa.Super. 2018) (holding acquiescence in

ruling waived challenge to it on appeal). When the court stated that it would

give him additional time to file a certificate of merit, Pilchesky made no

argument that the court could not require him to do so unless Defendants

sought a judgment of non pros. Instead, Pilchesky agreed to file a new

certificate of merit before the deadline set by the court. An appellant may not

raise new legal theories on appeal, and we consider the issue waived.

Andrews v. Cross Atl. Capital Partners, Inc., 158 A.3d 123, 130

(Pa.Super. 2017) (en banc).

      Second, and equally important, Pilchesky fails to argue how he was

prejudiced by the court’s decision to dismiss his case on Preliminary

Objections, rather than require Defendants to seek a non pros. Pilchesky does

not argue that had the court required Defendants to seek judgment non pros,

he would have complied with the certificate of merit requirement in the

interim, or sought more time in which to comply. Nor does Pilchesky argue

that if the court had entered a judgment of non pros, he would have

successfully sought to open judgment. We therefore consider any procedural

error in ruling on the issue on preliminary objections to be at most harmless

error. We therefore affirm the order of the trial court granting Defendants’

Preliminary Objections and dismissing this action with prejudice.

      Order affirmed.

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Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 02/18/2020

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