Court Opinion

ID: 9559854
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 17:36:54.992458+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:11:48.536070
License: Public Domain

PETRA J. MAES, Justice (Dissenting). {42} I agree with the adoption of the theory of loss-of-chance, but respectfully dissent on the disposition of this case. {43} Here, through expert testimony Alberts cleared the hurdle of summary judgment on the theory of loss-of-chance, in my opinion. Plaintiffs expert, Dr. Hutton, testified to a reasonable degree of medical probability that the success rate of the bypass procedure would be greater than 90 percent. The testimony raises a genuine issue of material fact. {44} I disagree with the majority’s statement that Dr. Hutton’s testimony is based on “incomplete medical records and unsupported assumptions”. Granted, the opinions and reports upon which Dr. Hutton relied do not perfectly establish the condition of every inch of Plaintiff Alberts’ leg. However, that is not the standard in New Mexico for the reliability of expert opinions. The standard is set forth in Sanchez v. Molycorp, Inc., 103 N.M. 148, 152, 703 P.2d 925, 929 (Ct.App.1985): An expert’s opinion is not impermissibly speculative or lacking as to a factual basis where the expert gives a satisfactory explanation as to how he [or she] arrived at his opinion. Harrison v. ICX IllinoisCalifornia Exp., Inc., 98 N.M. 247, 647 P.2d 880 (Ct.App.), cert denied, 98 N.M. 336, 648 P.2d 794 (1982). Cf. Duran v. General Motors Corp., 101 N.M. 742, 688 P.2d 779 (Ct.App.1983), cert. denied, 101 N.M. 555, 685 P.2d 963 (1984). Causation exists within a reasonable medical probability when a qualified medical expert testifies as to his opinion concerning causation and, in the absence of other reasonable casual [sic] explanations, it becomes more likely than not that the injury was a result of its action. NMSA 1978, § 52-1-28; Bufalino v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 98 N.M. 560, 650 P.2d 844 (Ct.App.1982); Lyon v. Catron County Commissioners, 81 N.M. 120, 464 P.2d 410 (Ct.App.1969), cert. denied, 81 N.M. 140, 464 P.2d 559 (1970). * * * * * * The testimony about causation was not speculative and constitutes substantial evidence sufficient to support the trial court’s findings concerning causation. {45} I believe Dr. Hutton’s testimony met this test. For example, based on the lack of any mention of distal occlusions of the peroneal and posterior tibial artery in Dr. Winterkorn’s report, Dr. Hutton infers that there ivere none. His opinion that either of these arteries would have been suitable for a bypass is based on this inference. (R.P. at 428.)1 ’ {46} His opinion is not impermissible speculation; it is a reasonable inference from known facts. See Sanchez v. Molycorp, supra; See also Orth v. Emerson Elec. Co., White-Rodgers Div., 980 F.2d 632, 636-37 (10th Cir.1992) (finding expert testimony sufficient to support jury verdict in products liability case even though expert’s opinion rested “on a series of assumptions”); Jones v. Otis Elevator Co., 861 F.2d 655, 663 (11th Cir.1988). {47} Dr. Hutton’s expert opinion was based on Dr. Winterkorn’s reported observations of the blood vessels in Alberts’ leg and on an objective test. In his deposition testimony, Dr. Hutton refers to Dr. Winterkorn’s report of the condition of Alberts’ arteries and veins: Q. And are you relying on the angiograms for that, or what would did you use? A Combination of the angiograms and Dr. Winterkom’s angiographic description. Dr. Hutton refers to specific parts of the arteriogram and Dr. Winterkorn’s report: A. ... Over here we see what is probably the peroneal and the posterior tibial artery. We see that there’s this chunk here. All right? And one of these vessels, we don’t have films that show it farther distal. Okay? But there is no mention in the dictated report of distal occlusions of the peroneal and posterior tibial artery. Q. Okay. A. Based upon that, I would find probably the peroneal artery, probably the posterior tibial artery, if I had better arteriograms, as to a suitable, although complex, outfloio artery for a bypass. Dr. Hutton’s assessment of the suitability of Alberts’ blood vessels is based on reported observations of those vessels: Q. Let me ask you first with regard to the vessels that you now circled on Exhibit 9. Based on the films that you see, are these vessels that you think are going to be good sources for bypass that are going to supply circulation to the lower extremity? A. What do you mean by “good”? Q. Are they marginal, or is it going to be successful? A. I think the technical success rate, if they’re continuous the rest of the way down, is greater than 90 percent. Q. And what you’re saying is you felt that these angiograms showed you that more distal to that there was vessel that you could bypass to? A. Yes, and that’s what [Dr. Winterkom] says. (R.P. at 431.) (Emphasis added throughout testimony.) {48} These statements are reliable enough to be admissible under Rule 11-703 NMRA 1998. See Sanchez v. Molycorp, Inc., 103 N.M. 148, 152, 703 P.2d 925, 929 (Ct.App.1985). Dr. Hutton’s assessment of the chances of success of a bypass from the common femoral artery to either the popliteal or the peroneal outflow artery was based in part on an extrapolation from the condition of observed portions of these vessels to nearby portions. This is a satisfactory explanation and a reliable inference. {49} The majority has, I believe, weighed the evidence on appeal. See Sanders v. Smith, 83 N.M. 706, 710, 496 P.2d 1102, 1106 (Ct.App.1972). Dr. Hutton’s testimony must be viewed in the light most favorable to support the Plaintiffs’ position. See Wheeler v. Board of County Comm’rs, 74 N.M. 165, 171, 391 P.2d 664, 668 (1964). We are required to make all inferences in favor of Plaintiff and interpret all material facts in favor of a trial on the merits. See Rummel v. St. Paul Surplus Lines Ins. Co., 1997-NMSC-042, ¶ 9, 123 N.M. 767, 770, 945 P.2d 985. I would conclude that the plaintiff has shown a genuine issue of material fact concerning the failure to timely perform the bypass which caused increased risk of harm to the plaintiffs leg. For these reasons, I would reverse the summary judgment and remand this case to the district court for further proceedings.  . Dr. Winterkorn was a physician who performed a roentgenogram on the plaintiff and made a report of the results. From the record it seems that at times the parties refer to the X-ray photographs as an arteriogram and at other times as an angiogram. Technically, these terms differ in distinguishing whether an artery or a vessel was being depicted.