Court Opinion

ID: 9552648
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 19:14:34.268303+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:28:31.324178
License: Public Domain

SIMMS, J.,
dissenting:
¶ 1 Although I agree with the majority’s statement of general principle that the amount of a contingent-fee contract may not be used as determinative of the reasonable value of the amount for which an attorney’s fee is awarded, I do not think this principle has any application to this case. I do not agree with the Court that 63 O.S.Supp.1992, Section 1-1918(G) creates a “statutory tort” or that this suit was submitted as a claim within the purview of that statute. This was an action in common-law negligence. The Nursing Home Care Act in question, 63 O.S. 1991, §§ 1-1901 et seq. is an administrative scheme placing statutory licensing and regulation enforcement responsibilities to protect *366patients with the State Department of Health. While Section 1-1918(G) provides for injunctive and preventative relief from violation or threatened violation of the standards set by the Patient’s Bill of Rights, it does not a create statutory tort. Neither does it authorize the award of attorney’s fees other than in actions for injunctive or preventive relief. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent.