Court Opinion

ID: 9618411
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:12:07.452503+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:32:18.962531
License: Public Domain

BIVINS, Judge (dissenting). Because plaintiff failed to prove causal connection as required by NMSA 1978, Section 52-l-28(B), I respectfully dissent. The opinion of Dr. Feierman that the on-the-job stress probably was “an” important non-genetic factor, presents two problems. It is prefaced by the statement that it is an “educated guess,” which Section 52-1-28 does not permit, and stress is only “an” important factor, not necessarily the only one which aggravated or triggered the full-blown schizophrenia. Later, Dr. Feierman said that the work stress was just one factor and that marital stress arising from infidelity was another. He could not say which was more of a stress factor. Q. And so then marital problems could be another possible exacerbating factor for his psychotic episode? A. Yes, and I would, if I am going to say that I think that the job problems were a stressor to him and that probably contributed to him getting worse, I would also have to say that the infidelity and the getting caught at it, and the wife threatening him to leave, was another stressor. It is hard to even say which one was more important. I think they were both present. Renfro v. San Juan Hospital, Inc., 75 N.M. 235, 403 P.2d 681 (1965), held that a claimant does not meet the burden of proof when he establishes one of several factors, leaving it up to the trier of fact to take his choice. I believe this case is more like Renfro than Crane v. San Juan County, 100 N.M. 600, 673 P.2d 1333 (Ct.App.1983), relied on by the majority. When asked if he could say within any reasonable medical probability that the job contributed to plaintiff becoming unable to work, Dr. Feierman said, “I think [it was] a contributing factor. I could say that. How much of a contributing factor, I don’t know. Nor do I think anybody could know.” Given the distinction made in Bufalino v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 98 N.M. 560, 650 P.2d 844 (Ct.App.1982), between “speculation,” “possibilities” and “probabilities,” I do not believe Dr. Feierman’s testimony satisfied the requirement of proof of causal connection as a medical probability. In Sanchez v. Molycorp, Inc., 103 N.M. 148, 152, 703 P.2d 925, 929 (Ct.App.1985), we said: 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 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). [Emphasis added.] In this case, we are not faced with inconsistencies or conflicts as between the medical expert’s opinion concerning work-related stress and nonwork-related marital difficulties. Both were factors, but how much the doctor could not say. Thus, there was no medical expert testimony that would support a finding that the work-related stress was more likely than not the cause of plaintiff’s disability.