Court Opinion

ID: 4280627
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2018-06-01 20:49:03.868861+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:38.472363
License: Public Domain

NO. 12-17-00206-CV

                               IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                  TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

                                            TYLER, TEXAS

TONIKA CHATMAN,                                           §       APPEAL FROM THE 145TH
APPELLANT

V.                                                        §       JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

SIDNEY FOWLER, DDS AND
DIAGNOSTIC DENTAL,                                        §       NACOGDOCHES COUNTY, TEXAS
APPELLEES

                                                    OPINION
        Tonika Chatman appeals from the trial court’s order granting both traditional and no
evidence summary judgment in favor of Sidney Fowler, DDS and Diagnostic Dental (Dr. Fowler).
In two issues, Chatman argues the trial court erred because Dr. Fowler failed to meet his burden to
show that no genuine issues of material fact exist and because Chatman presented sufficient
evidence of causation to support her medical malpractice claim against Dr. Fowler. We affirm.

                                                  BACKGROUND
        On April 1, 2014, Chatman presented to Dr. Fowler, a dentist, complaining of pain in her
lower right wisdom tooth, pain in her lower and upper jaw, pain in her ear, and difficulty
swallowing. Chatman filled out a check box medical history indicating she suffered from high
blood pressure, allergies to “penicillin/sulfa drugs,” pain or discomfort in her mouth, and that she
had a family history of diabetes.1 Dr. Fowler performed an x-ray and took Chatman’s vital signs.
He diagnosed Chatman with severe tooth decay and slight swelling of the periodontal membrane

        1
            The document listed a variety of ailments under a heading that stated “do you have or have you ever had
any of the following,” and then listed a “yes” or “no” box next to the specific ailment for the patient to select. The
document also asked about family history of diabetes, heart disease, and bleeding disorders. The document further
asked whether the patient had “any current conditions that haven’t been mentioned” and provided lines for the patient
to fill in. Chatman wrote “no.”
and pulpitis of the tooth. After obtaining consent from Chatman, Dr. Fowler extracted the painful
tooth. Dr. Fowler did not prescribe any medication, but instructed Chatman to take ibuprofen as
needed for pain.
        Two days later, Chatman presented to Fowler’s office complaining of extreme jaw pain,
increased swelling, earaches, and difficulty opening her mouth.              Fowler’s office prescribed
antibiotics for these symptoms. Chatman returned to Fowler’s office the next day because her
symptoms had not subsided. Dr. Fowler’s dental assistant examined Chatman, and noted that
Chatman’s mouth was swollen and difficult to access. Dr. Fowler prescribed an antibacterial
rinse, pain medication, and an increased dosage of antibiotics.
        That evening, Chatman’s symptoms caused her to go to the emergency room where she
received an injection for pain. Chatman continued to have pain and swelling over the weekend
and began to experience shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. On Saturday April 5, Dr.
Fowler prescribed Chatman a different antibiotic. The following Monday, Chatman presented to
Dr. Fowler’s office in severe pain. After consulting Dr. Fowler by phone, his staff recommended
Chatman go to the emergency room. Dr. Fowler arrived at the emergency room and performed
surgery on Chatman, removing part of her jaw bone. Chatman was left with a scar and facial
deformity, for which she later underwent plastic surgery.
        On April 5, 2016, Chatman brought a healthcare liability claim for damages against Dr.
Fowler. Chatman designated Dr. James Bates, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, as her expert
witness and served Dr. Fowler with his report. Dr. Bates stated in his report that it was possible
Chatman already had an infection when she presented to Dr. Fowler on April 1, and if she had an
infection, antibiotics should have been administered to her preoperatively or, at the very least,
postoperatively. Dr. Bates further stated that even with prophylactic antibiotics, patients can still
develop serious infections, and the administration of antibiotics to Chatman may not have
prevented the serious sequela.2 On April 25, 2017, Dr. Bates gave a deposition and testified that
he believed Chatman had an infection when she presented on April 1, and should have received
preoperative antibiotics. However, Dr. Bates admitted that he could not say within a reasonable
degree of medical probability that the administration of antibiotics would have prevented or
reduced the severity of her infection or eliminated the need for her subsequent hospitalization and
surgery.

        In the medical field, “sequela” is defined as a pathological condition resulting from a disease. THE
        2

AMERICAN HERITAGE STEDMAN’S MEDICAL DICTIONARY 754 (1995).

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       Dr. Fowler moved for summary judgment on no evidence and traditional summary
judgment grounds and argued to the trial court that (1) after an adequate time for discovery,
Chatman failed to present any admissible evidence to support the causation element of her claim,
and alternatively that (2) Chatman was unable to meet her burden of proof because Dr. Bates’
testimony was insufficient to prove causation. In support of his motion, Dr. Fowler attached Dr.
Bates’ deposition and Chatman’s second amended petition.
       Thereafter, Chatman sought leave from the court to file amended pleadings, and
subsequently filed a third and fourth amended petition, as well as a response to Dr. Fowler’s
summary judgment motion. In her response, Chatman argued that Dr. Fowler “failed to treat
Plaintiff preoperatively and post-operatively with antibiotics as well as failed to irrigate and
curette the extraction site which led to her hospitalization and further debilitation post tooth
extraction…Dr. Fowler was negligent in his treatment of Plaintiff which either (1) caused the
injury she complains of or (2) exacerbated her condition.”           Chatman attached deposition
testimony from Dr. Bates, Dr. Fowler, and Dr. Nathaniel Tippit, Dr. Fowler’s retained expert, as
well as a copy of her fourth amended petition, her medical intake form from Dr. Fowler’s records,
and Dr. Bates’ medical expert report.
       The trial court granted Fowler’s motion, and this appeal followed.

                               NO EVIDENCE SUMMARY JUDGMENT
       In two issues, Chatman argues that the trial court erred in granting Dr. Fowler’s no
evidence and traditional summary judgment motion. Chatman argues that the evidence she
submitted to the trial court in response to Dr. Fowler’s motion was sufficient to create a fact issue
regarding causation. Dr. Fowler responds that Chatman presented no evidence to create a genuine
issue of material fact and is merely reciting the conclusory allegations set forth in her petition.
Further, Dr. Fowler argues that the determination of causation in this case is not within the
purview of the fact-finder, and requires expert testimony.
Standard of Review and Applicable Law
       After adequate time for discovery, a party without the burden of proof at trial may move
for summary judgment on the ground that the non-movant lacks supporting evidence for one or
more essential elements of its claim. TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(i). Once a no evidence motion has
been filed, the burden shifts to the non-movant to present more than a scintilla of probative

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evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact supporting each element challenged in the
motion. Id.; Timpe Indus., Inc. v. Gish, 286 S.W.3d 306, 310 (Tex. 2009). A genuine issue of
material fact exists if the evidence “rises to a level that would enable reasonable and fair minded
people to differ in their conclusions.” Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc. v. Havner, 953 S.W.2d 706, 711
(Tex. 1997) (quoting Burroughs Wellcome Co. v. Crye, 907 S.W.2d 497, 499 (Tex. 1995)). The
evidence does not create an issue of material fact if it is “so weak as to do no more than create a
mere surmise or suspicion” that the fact exists. Kia Motors Corp. v. Ruiz, 432 S.W.3d 865, 875
(Tex. 2014) (quoting Ford Motor Co. v. Ridgway, 135 S.W.3d 598, 601 (Tex. 2004)).
       A no evidence summary judgment motion is essentially a pretrial directed verdict, and we
apply the same legal sufficiency standard in reviewing a no evidence summary judgment as we
apply in reviewing a directed verdict. King Ranch, Inc. v. Chapman, 118 S.W.3d 742, 750-51
(Tex. 2003). We review the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-movant, disregarding
all contrary evidence and inferences. Id. at 751. The trial court must grant the motion if the non-
movant fails to produce summary judgment evidence that raises a genuine issue of material fact
on the elements of its claim that the movant has challenged. Weech v. Baptist Health Sys., 392
S.W.3d 821, 824 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2012, no pet.).
       When a motion asserts both no-evidence and traditional grounds for summary judgment,
we first review the no-evidence grounds. Cmty. Health Sys. Prof’l Servs. Corp. v. Hansen, 525
S.W.3d 671, 680 (Tex. 2017). If the non-movant fails to produce more than a scintilla of evidence
on the essential elements of a cause of action challenged by a no-evidence motion, there is no
need to analyze the movant’s traditional grounds for summary judgment. Id. at 680-81.
Proximate Cause
       To prevail on a healthcare liability claim, the plaintiff must prove that (1) the defendant
owed her a duty to act according to an applicable standard of care, (2) the defendant breached the
applicable standard of care, (3) she suffered an injury, and (4) within a reasonable medical
probability, the defendant’s breach proximately caused her injury.       Tejada v. Gernale, 363
S.W.3d 699, 708 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2011, no pet.). Proximate cause has two
components: causation in fact and foreseeability. W. Invs. Inc. v. Urena, 162 S.W.3d 547, 551
(Tex. 2005). The ultimate standard of proof on causation is “whether, by a preponderance of the
evidence, the negligent act or omission is shown to be a substantial factor in bringing about the
[injury] and without which the harm would not have occurred.” Park Place Hosp. v. Estate of

                                                4
Milo, 909 S.W.2d 508, 511 (Tex. 1995). With regard to cause-in-fact, the plaintiff must establish
a causal connection between the defendant’s negligence and the injuries based upon “a reasonable
medical probability” and not mere conjecture, speculation, or possibility. Gray v. Woodville
Health Care Ctr., 225 S.W.3d 613, 617 (Tex. App.—El Paso 2006, pet. denied).
       In medical malpractice cases, the general rule has long been that expert testimony is
necessary to establish causation as to medical conditions outside the common knowledge and
experience of jurors. Jelinek v. Casas, 328 S.W.3d 526, 533 (Tex. 2010). The supreme court has
held that a patient has no cause of action against his doctor for malpractice, in diagnosis or
recognized treatment, unless he proves by a doctor of the same school of practice as the
defendant: (1) that the diagnosis or treatment complained of was such as to constitute negligence
and (2) that it was a proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. Id.                Texas has allowed lay
evidence to establish causation in cases in which the general experience and common sense will
enable laymen to determine, with reasonable probability, the causal relationship between the event
and the condition. Id.
Analysis
       We begin our analysis by addressing Chatman’s second issue, which challenges the
granting of Dr. Fowler’s no evidence summary judgment motion. See Hansen, 525 S.W.3d at
680. Under the no evidence standard, after Dr. Fowler moved for summary judgment on no
evidence grounds, the burden shifted to Chatman to produce more than a scintilla of probative
evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact supporting causation. See TEX. R. CIV. P.
166a(i); Gish, 286 S.W.3d at 310. In maintaining that she satisfied her burden, Chatman argues
that Dr. Fowler misconstrued Dr. Bates’ testimony because the deposition questions assume that
Chatman did not have an infection when she presented to Fowler initially. We disagree.
       During Dr. Bates’ deposition, the following exchange occurred:

       Q. Doctor, let me ask you if you agree with this statement: The standard of care on use of
       prophylactic antibiotics prior to extraction of teeth is clear. Without evidence of an existing
       infection, antibiotics are not required. Do you agree with that?

       A. I do.

       Q. Even with antibiotic prophylaxis, patients can develop serious postoperative infections. Do you
       agree with that?

       A. I do.

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       Q. And the administration of antibiotics in this case may not have prevented the serious sequela?

       A. I do.

       Q. And for our folks on the jury, sequela means the consequences, right?

       A. Yes.

       Q. Prescribing antibiotics may have prevented, or at lease reduced, the severity of her postoperative
       infection. Do you agree with that?

       A. I do.

       Q. Can you state within reasonable probability that it would have prevented that infection?

       A. No.

       Q. And can you state within reasonable probability that it would have reduced the severity?

       A. I cannot state that.

       Q. Okay. And, again, likewise, you cannot say within reasonable probability that it would have
       eliminated the need for the hospitalization and the surgery; is that fair?

       A. Yes.

Dr. Bates’ unequivocally stated that he was unable to say within reasonable probability whether
prescribing antibiotics to Chatman would have prevented or reduced the severity of her infection,
or eliminated the need for her hospitalization or surgery. At oral argument, Chatman conceded
that Dr. Bates’ testimony was insufficient to raise a fact issue regarding causation.
       Nevertheless, Chatman argues in her brief that she met her burden through a combination
of the various experts’ testimony and the common knowledge of a layperson. Specifically, she
argues that

              Dr. Bates stated that Chatman had an infection when she first presented to Fowler…Dr.
              Tippit testified that an infection can “arguably” seep into a jaw bone…[Dr. Tippit] also
              testified that “standard extractions are curetted and irrigated”…[Fowler] failed to curette
              and irrigate Chatman’s extraction site…because the site was not flushed out after
              extraction, any residual infection remained. [C]hatman’s infection seeped into her jaw
              bone causing bone loss. [B]ecause of Fowler’s acts or omissions, Chatman suffered
              severe damage to her jaw bone and permanent facial deformity…[F]owler testified that
              Chatman presented with symptoms of an infection…[F]owler further testified that an
              infection of a deeply decayed tooth could seep out of the pulp chamber in the middle of
              the tooth and sit on the jaw line. [F]owler’s own testimony presents a genuine issue of
              material fact as to the causal connection between his acts or omissions and Chatman’s
              injuries...also, a layperson knows that an untreated infection will worsen and cause
              additional injury and damage.

                                                          6
In support of her argument that a layperson can determine causation under these facts, Chatman
cites Kieswetter v. Ctr. Pavilion Hosp., 662 S.W.2d 24 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1983, no
writ). In Kieswetter, the plaintiff sued the hospital after he developed a post-operative infection
following cataract surgery. Id. at 26. The plaintiff did not present expert testimony, but relied on
testimony from the adverse witness surgeon and his own testimony regarding the unsanitary
conditions, to support his claim that unsterile solution provided by the hospital had caused his
infection and loss of eyesight. Id. at 29–30. Chatman argues that in Kieswetter, the “experts
presented indefinite testimony about the infection and the possible causes…the expert merely
hypothesized about other possible causes…the court held that plaintiff’s testimony coupled with
the expert’s testimony showed causation was based on a reasonable medical probability and
sufficiently raised an issue to be determined by the jury.” However, in Kieswetter, the surgeon
admitted that the plaintiff did not have an infection prior to the surgery. Id. at 27. While the
surgeon would not unequivocally state the plaintiff suffered a subsequent infection, he
acknowledged such in his deposition testimony wherein he stated the plaintiff likely had an
infection. Id. at 27–28. The surgeon further testified, in the form of a hypothetical based on facts
in evidence and facts reasonably drawn therefrom, that the most likely source of the bacteria was
the solution supplied by the hospital. Id. at 30. The court held that “affirmative proof of the
source of appellant’s eye condition was established by Dr. Girard’s testimony that, of the four
possible sources of the bacteria which brought about the complication, the most likely was the
irrigating solutions provided by the hospital.” Id.
       We are not persuaded that Kieswetter supports Chatman’s argument because, in this case,
there is no testimony that any act or omission of Dr. Fowler likely caused Chatman’s injuries.
Chatman relies on the testimony of Dr. Bates and Dr. Fowler to establish that she had an infection
when she presented to Dr. Fowler on April 1. Chatman further argues that Dr. Tippit’s testimony
and Dr. Fowler’s testimony established that Dr. Fowler did not curette or irrigate the extraction
site. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to Chatman, she failed to provide any proof
that an act or omission on behalf of Dr. Fowler, i.e., failing to curette and irrigate the extraction
site, was a substantial factor in bringing about her subsequent injury. See Park Place Hosp., 909
S.W.2d at 511. Dr. Tippit merely testified that curetting and irrigating an extraction site was the
standard of care; he did not opine that the failure to curette and irrigate would have caused or

                                                  7
prevented Chatman’s subsequent severe post-operative infection or subsequent need for
hospitalization and surgery.
         The determination of negligence and resultant injuries in the context of prevention and
treatment of an infection is clearly not within the purview of a lay person’s knowledge. See
Jelinek v. Casas, 328 S.W.3d 526, 533 (Tex. 2010) (holding expert testimony required to prove
hospital’s alleged negligence through lapse in antibiotic medication caused terminal cancer
patient’s additional pain and suffering); see also Kaster v. Woodson, 123 S.W.2d 981, 983 (Tex.
Civ. App.—Austin 1938, writ ref’d) (“[W]hat is an infection and from whence did it come are
matters determinable only by medical experts.”); Hart v. Van Zandt, 399 S.W.2d 791, 792 (Tex.
1965) (“in determining negligence in a case such as this, which concerns the highly specialized art
of treating disease, the court and jury must be dependent on expert testimony…there can be no
other guide, and where want of skill and attention is not thus shown by expert evidence applied to
the facts, there is no evidence of it proper to be submitted to the jury.”).   Chatman’s statement
that Dr. Fowler’s failure to curette and irrigate the site caused severe damage to her jaw bone and
permanent facial deformity is wholly conclusory and unsupported by any medical expert
testimony.
         Because Chatman failed to provide any evidence that Dr. Fowler’s actions or omissions
caused or exacerbated her injuries, we conclude that she did not meet her burden to produce more
than a scintilla of evidence creating a genuine issue of material fact. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(i);
Gish, 286 S.W.3d at 310; see also Jelinek, 328 S.W.3d at 533; Woodville Health Care Ctr., 225
S.W.3d at 617. Thus, the trial court did not err in granting Dr. Fowler’s no evidence motion for
summary judgment. Because we so conclude, we overrule issue two and need not address issue
one regarding Dr. Fowler’s traditional summary judgment motion. See Hansen, 525 S.W.3d at
680-81.

                                                   CONCLUSION
         Having overruled Chatman’s second issue, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
                                                                  JAMES T. WORTHEN
                                                                     Chief Justice

Opinion delivered May 31, 2018.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.

                                                    (PUBLISH)

                                                              8
                                   COURT OF APPEALS

      TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                           JUDGMENT

                                              MAY 31, 2018

                                         NO. 12-17-00206-CV

                              TONIKA CHATMAN,
                                   Appellant
                                      V.
                  SIDNEY FOWLER, DDS AND DIAGNOSTIC DENTAL,
                                   Appellees

                                Appeal from the 145th District Court
                      of Nacogdoches County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. C1631963)

                       THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record and briefs filed
herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no error in the
judgment.
                       It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment
of the court below be in all things affirmed, and that all costs of this appeal are hereby adjudged
against the Appellant, TONIKA CHATMAN, for which execution may issue, and that this
decision be certified to the court below for observance.
                    James T. Worthen, Chief Justice.
                    Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.