Court Opinion

ID: 5175882
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-04 18:15:01.553617+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:26:18.352510
License: Public Domain

Filed
                                                                                       Washington State
                                                                                       Court of Appeals
                                                                                        Division Two

                                                                                        January 4, 2022

    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

                                        DIVISION II

 BRUCE A. WOLF, as Guardian ad Litem for                           No. 54598-5-II
 LANA BURKE; ZACHARY BURKE,
 individually, and ANNA SCOTT, individually,

                Respondents/Cross-Appellants,

        v.                                                   UNPUBLISHED OPINION

 GE HEALTHCARE, a subsidiary of General
 Electric Company; GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a
 foreign corporation; JEFFERSON COUNTY
 PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT NO. 2 d/b/a
 JEFFERSON HEALTHCARE and
 UNKNOWN DOES 1-50,

                Appellants/Cross-Respondents.

       MAXA, P.J. – Jefferson County Public Hospital District No. 2 d/b/a Jefferson Healthcare

(JHC) appeals a number of trial court decisions following a $23.9 million jury verdict against

JHC in favor of Bruce Wolf as guardian ad litem for LB, Anna Scott, and Zachary Burke

(collectively the Burkes). The Burkes cross-appeal the court’s order to amend the judgment on

the jury’s verdict to provide for periodic payments of future economic damages under RCW

4.56.260. This appeal arises out of the Burkes’ lawsuit alleging that JHC failed to properly

monitor their baby daughter LB’s heart rate during Scott’s labor and delivery and that GE
No. 54598-5-II

Healthcare’s (GE) electronic fetal heart monitor was defective, causing LB to be born with

severe developmental disabilities and other health conditions.

         We hold that:

         (1) the trial court did not err in changing venue from Jefferson County to Kitsap County;

         (2) the trial court did not err in accepting the Burkes’ and GE’s gender-neutral reasons for

using peremptory challenges on male prospective jurors and rejecting JHC’s Batson1 challenge;

         (3) the trial court did not err in denying JHC’s midtrial CR 21 motion to dismiss GE

based on a high-low settlement agreement between the Burkes and GE, and JHC cannot raise

additional arguments regarding the high-low agreement for the first time on appeal;

         (4) the trial court did not err when it precluded JHC’s experts from testifying about

Scott’s family history of genetic abnormalities and seizure disorders and her prenatal marijuana

use as possible causes of LB’s conditions;

         (5) the trial court did not err when it denied JHC’s motion for a mistrial based on the

Burkes’ reference to a 2019 textbook excerpt containing LB’s fetal heart strip; and

         (6) we decline to consider JHC’s argument that the trial judge should have recused

herself on the grounds that she allegedly had a special needs child in her family.

         Regarding the Burkes’ cross-appeal, we hold that (1) the trial court did not err in granting

JHC’s motion to amend the judgment on the jury verdict to provide for periodic payments of

future economic damages under RCW 4.56.260, and (2) RCW 4.56.260 does not violate the

Burkes’ right to a jury trial, the separation of powers doctrine, or the right to equal protection.

1
    Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 106 S. Ct. 1712, 90 L. Ed. 2d 69 (1986).

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No. 54598-5-II

       Accordingly, we affirm the trial court’s original judgment on jury verdict and affirm the

trial court’s order granting JHC’s motion to amend the judgment to provide for periodic

payments of future economic damages under RCW 4.56.260.

                                                 FACTS

Background

       The Burkes were expecting a baby in January 2014, with Dr. Rachel Bickling as their

obstetric provider. Dr. Bickling was a doctor at JHC. The delivery occurred at JHC, a public

hospital district located in Jefferson County.

       JHC used GE-manufactured electronic fetal heart rate monitors to detect and follow fetal

heart rates during labor and delivery. The GE monitor printed out the heartbeat it was tracing,

also known as a fetal heart strip. The purpose of an electronic fetal heart rate monitor is to

identify when a baby is in distress during labor. One issue that arises with fetal heart rate

monitoring is whether the monitor is tracking the mother’s or baby’s heart rate, which is referred

to as maternal heart rate and fetal heart rate confusion. If the monitor is tracking the mother’s

heart rate, then the person using the monitor would be unaware if the baby was in distress.

Scott’s Labor and Delivery

       In January 2014, Scott was admitted to JHC to give birth. She periodically was hooked

up to the GE monitor, and LB had a normal fetal heart rate. Nurses monitored LB’s heart rate all

day. Nurse Deanna Crawford took over the monitoring that evening. The nurse ending her shift

conveyed her concerns to Crawford that the GE monitor possibly was tracing Scott’s heartbeat

rather than LB’s. Crawford testified that she believed that she was monitoring LB’s heart rate

the entire time before delivery.

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No. 54598-5-II

        When LB was delivered, she was purple and limp. She began experiencing seizures

within 12 or 13 hours of being born. While LB still was inside the womb, the umbilical cord had

been wrapped around LB’s neck, which slowed down her heart rate and decreased the amount of

blood flow and oxygenation to her brain. The umbilical cord ultimately caused decreased

oxygenation and blood flow to the tissues in LB’s body, including her brain.

        At the time of trial, LB was almost six years old, but had the mental age of a 12- to 18-

month-old. LB had significant developmental and neurological deficits. LB experienced a

seizure every few months, which manifested in convulsive activity that lasted between five and

20 minutes. She also suffered spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy. LB will require 24/7 adult

supervision and care for the rest of her life.

Burkes’ Lawsuit

        In October 2016, the Burkes filed a lawsuit against JHC for medical negligence and

against GE for product liability in Jefferson County Superior Court. The Burkes alleged that

JHC improperly monitored Scott and LB and that GE’s monitor mistakenly recorded Scott’s

heart rate instead of LB’s. JHC asserted in its answer an affirmative defense of third-party

liability, reserving its right to apportion a percentage of liability to GE.

        JHC’s answer also provided notice of its intent to request periodic payments under RCW

4.56.260 for any award of future economic damages. JHC later referenced the intent to invoke

RCW 4.56.260 in answers to discovery requests.

        The case ultimately was assigned to a visiting judge from Kitsap County.

High-Low Agreement with GE

        In August 2018, the Burkes and GE entered into a proposed high-low agreement,

contingent on trial court approval. Under the proposed agreement, GE would owe the Burkes $1

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No. 54598-5-II

million if the percentage of fault allocated to GE was 10 percent or less, and GE would owe no

more than $5 million if the jury found that GE was between 10 percent and 100 percent at fault.

If GE was allocated a percentage of fault between 10 percent and 100 percent, it would pay

proportionally up to the $5 million maximum. In addition, the agreement stated that GE “will

get a credit or offset of up to $500,000 for any funds paid on behalf of [JHC] that will be applied

to satisfy GE Healthcare’s obligations under this Proposal.” Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 3979. The

agreement did not release GE from liability.

         The Burkes and GE filed a joint motion requesting that the trial court make a finding that

the agreement was reasonable under RCW 4.22.060(1). The motion explained that the proposed

high-low agreement would “provide [GE] the ability to defend itself and its product at trial with

the security of capping its potential risk and exposure, while providing [the Burkes] a certain

minimal recovery to help offset their medical and other bills, expenses and damages, while

preserving joint and several liability.” CP at 3967. The motion also requested that the trial court

issue an order in limine barring any references to the high-low agreement at trial. The Burkes

and GE represented that the motion was unopposed.

         At the reasonableness hearing on the high-low agreement, JHC stated that it did not

oppose the motion, noting that the Supreme Court in Barton2 had approved of such high-low

agreements. JHC did not argue that the agreement violated public policy or otherwise was

improper. The trial court found that there was no evidence of bad faith, collusion, or fraud and

found that the high-low agreement was reasonable. The court also concluded that the settlement

did not release GE from liability.

2
    Barton v. Dep’t of Transp., 178 Wn.2d 193, 207-08, 308 P.3d 597 (2013).

                                                  5
No. 54598-5-II

         In addition, the court granted the motion in limine to exclude references to the high-low

agreement. JHC did not object to this in limine order.

Burkes’ Motion to Exclude Expert Testimony

         The Burkes filed a motion for partial summary judgment to dismiss JHC’s affirmative

defenses of preexisting conditions and comparative fault. JHC withdrew the affirmative

defenses, and the trial court dismissed them.

         In the same motion, the Burkes moved to exclude JHC’s proffered expert testimony

referencing (1) Scott’s congenital family history of mental disability or seizures and (2) Scott’s

marijuana use before or after LB’s birth.

         JHC had disclosed two expert witnesses, Dr. Thomas Wiswell and Dr. Paul Fisher, to

provide expert testimony regarding the issue of causation and to rebut the opinions of the

Burkes’ experts. JHC opposed the motion, and submitted declarations from Dr. Wiswell. The

parties also submitted excerpts from the depositions of the two experts.

         Dr. Wiswell was board certified in pediatrics and perinatal-neonatal medicine. He stated

an opinion on a more probable than not basis that LB’s brain injuries were caused by fetal

inflammatory response syndrome and that LB’s organ damage occurred before Scott went into

labor.

         In his declaration, Dr. Wiswell stated that LB’s injuries could have been caused by

Scott’s marijuana use during pregnancy, a family history of Scott’s mother, Donna Scott,3 having

a seizure disorder, and a family history of multiple male family members having genetic

abnormalities.

3
  We refer to Donna Scott by her first name to distinguish her from Scott. No disrespect is
intended.

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No. 54598-5-II

       In his deposition, Dr. Wiswell stated that “it’s a possibility” but not “more probably than

not” that LB’s deficits were related to Donna’s seizure disorder, and that marijuana could have

played a role in contributing to LB’s injuries. CP at 3492. But Dr. Wiswell also stated that if

Scott’s family history of genetic abnormalities and seizure disorder and her prenatal marijuana

use were not present or known, LB still would have sustained the same type of injuries because

the “major source of her injury was from inflammation.” CP at 3519. Dr. Wiswell admitted that

he did not know the diagnosis or cause of Donna’s seizure disorder or LB’s uncles’ genetic

abnormalities.

       Dr. Fisher was board certified in pediatrics and neurology with special qualifications in

child neurology. He stated an opinion that LB’s brain injury most likely was caused by an

infectious or inflammatory process that affected both Scott and LB between one to seven days

before the delivery.

       In his declaration and deposition, Dr. Fisher stated that it was possible that Scott’s

prenatal marijuana use could have “been one of the many causes or contributing factors to [LB’s]

neurodevelopmental impairments.” CP at 3563. But Dr. Fisher did not believe that marijuana

could fully explain LB’s condition.

       In his deposition, Dr. Fisher stated that based on some photos he saw of LB, he believed

that her facial features showed some mild dysmorphisms. But he stated that her facial features

did not necessarily mean that she had some kind of genetic disorder, but rather that it triggered

the need to do a genetic evaluation. He did not know the type of genetic disorders that the male

members of LB’s family had and had no way of linking LB’s uncles’ genetic disorders with LB.

       The trial court granted the Burkes’ motion to exclude all references to Scott’s family

genetic history and Scott’s prenatal marijuana use as possible causes of injury. The court found

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No. 54598-5-II

that any expert testimony regarding genetic history and marijuana use was speculative and

irrelevant under ER 401, ER 402, ER 403, and ER 702.

Jury Selection for First Trial

       The trial started in October 2018 in Jefferson County Superior Court. The court clerk

summoned 80 potential jurors and only 60 potential jurors showed up for jury selection. After

two days of voir dire, the trial court had dismissed 38 jurors for hardship or for cause. As a

result, there were only 22 potential jurors left, which was an insufficient number to seat a jury if

all parties exercised their peremptory challenges. The Burkes, GE, and JHC all agreed that the

court should declare a mistrial.

Motions in Limine

       In December, the trial court entered two orders on a number of the Burkes’ and JHC’s

motions in limine. Relevant here, the court granted the Burkes’ motion in limine to exclude

undisclosed or improperly disclosed opinions and evidence. The court also granted JHC’s

motion in limine to exclude references to any medical article or textbook without laying adequate

foundation and to preclude any articles or other learned treatises from going to the jury as

exhibits. The court reserved ruling on JHC’s motions in limine (1) regarding references to

articles or medical literature that was not provided to counsel as a basis for expert opinions and

(2) to exclude testimony not previously disclosed. JHC withdrew a motion in limine to prelude

references to post-January 2014 medical literature to establish standard of care.

Change in Venue

       In April 2019, the Burkes filed a motion for a bench trial or, in the alternative, for transfer

of venue to King County in part on the grounds that an impartial jury could not be impaneled in

Jefferson County. The motion highlighted that (1) Jefferson County’s only superior court judge

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No. 54598-5-II

had to recuse himself, which resulted in a visiting judge from Kitsap County to be assigned to the

case; (2) there was only one courtroom in Jefferson County, which meant that a civil trial could

be interrupted at any time by a criminal trial; (3) the earlier mistrial was a waste of expenses; and

(3) travel to Port Townsend from other areas of the state and Seattle-Tacoma airport (for out-of-

state witnesses) was limited, significantly increasing expenses and causing logistical difficulties.

        JHC opposed the motion. In support of its opposition, JHC submitted a declaration from

Wendy Steadman, the director of the Family Birth Center at JHC. She explained that the Family

Birth Center had 17 registered nurses and that two nurses were assigned to each shift. If one

nurse was unavailable, then a travel nurse could be used in his or her absence. Steadman stated

that Scott’s primary nurses in the case were highly experienced nurses and that it would pose as a

significant hardship to the Family Birth Center if they were unavailable for a long trial in King

County. She also stated that Dr. Bickling’s absence would have an adverse impact on the Family

Birth Center.

        The trial court denied the Burkes’ motion to have the venue transferred to King County

and instead ruled that venue would be changed to Kitsap County. The court found that a transfer

of venue was warranted pursuant to RCW 4.12.030(2) because an impartial jury could not be

impaneled in Jefferson County and pursuant to RCW 4.12.030(3) because the ends of justice

supported a change of venue to Kitsap County. JHC filed a motion for reconsideration, which

the trial court denied.

        Trial was scheduled in November 2019 in Kitsap County Superior Court.

Jury Selection for Second Trial

        During jury selection for the second trial, the Burkes challenged at least two female

prospective jurors for cause; did not object when JHC challenged a female prospective juror for

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No. 54598-5-II

cause; and stipulated to removing other women from the jury. The Burkes also objected to

JHC’s for cause challenges to two male prospective jurors.

       The Burkes had six peremptory challenges and JHC and GE each had three. All of the

prospective jurors for which the Burkes and GE exercised their peremptory challenges were

male. However, the Burkes used only four of their peremptory challenges and GE only used two

of its peremptory challenges. JHC used its three peremptory challenges on women. There were

five men on the final jury panel, including alternates, after the peremptory challenges were

exercised.

       JHC was concerned that the Burkes and GE were working together to remove male jurors

from the panel and challenged the use of their peremptory challenges. The trial court treated

JHC’s objection as a Batson challenge and asked the Burkes and GE to provide gender-neutral

reasons for their peremptory challenges. The Burkes and GE explained that they excluded jurors

because they had a negative outlook on malpractice cases, had family members who were in the

healthcare field, had political views that were concerning, or were unresponsive during the jury

selection process. The court stated that the record did not support a Batson challenge and

overruled JHC’s objection.

CR 21 Motion to Dismiss GE

       Eleven days after the start of trial, JHC filed a motion under CR 21 to dismiss GE as a

defendant. JHC alleged that the Burkes’ and GE’s high-low agreement was a binding settlement

agreement that released GE of all liability and that both the Burkes and GE had failed to produce

any evidence at trial against each other. The Burkes and GE opposed JHC’s motion on the

grounds that a CR 21 motion was procedurally improper or untimely and that JHC had never

withdrawn its affirmative defense of third-party fault. The trial court denied JHC’s motion to

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No. 54598-5-II

dismiss GE under CR 21 on the grounds that there were unresolved issues of liability with

respect to GE.

        JHC did not argue in its written motion or during argument on the motion that the high-

low agreement violated public policy or otherwise was improper.

JHC Motion for Mistrial

        Dr. Kathleen Lagana testified as the Burkes’ nursing expert in the area of labor and

delivery and fetal monitoring. She testified, among other things, about the nursing standard of

care. During direct examination, the Burkes asked Dr. Lagana if she was familiar with the 2001,

2007, 2011, and 2019 editions of the textbook Essentials of Fetal and Uterine Monitoring by

Michelle Murray. Dr. Lagana testified that she had reviewed those textbooks in her work as a

fetal monitoring nurse educator and that they generally were considered to be an authoritative

reference in the obstetrical community on the issue of fetal monitoring and maternal and fetal

heart rate.

        Dr. Lagana testified that the fetal heart strip in the 2019 textbook by Murray was a classic

example of maternal and fetal heart rate confusion. The fetal heart strip in the 2019 textbook

was accompanied with a text description that said, “Entire tracing is the MHR [maternal heart

rate]. Note the Smart BP feature with a MHR of 153 bpm [beats per minute]. The MHR taken

approximately 35 seconds prior to the contraction is evidence that the entire tracing was MHR

and not the FHR [fetal heart rate].” CP at 1825. Over JHC’s objections, the trial court allowed

the Burkes to use the 2019 textbook excerpt for illustrative purposes.

        Dr. Lagana testified that she extensively reviewed the fetal heart strip that was involved

in LB’s birth. She explained what each line on the strip corresponded to and how it related to the

labor and delivery process, along with the standard of care for nurses as it related to analyzing

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No. 54598-5-II

and documenting their findings regarding the fetal heart strip. Dr. Lagana testified that part of

the standard of care for nurses included recognizing maternal and fetal heart rate confusion. Dr.

Lagana stated that the standard of care with respect to being able to distinguish between the

maternal heart rate and the fetal heart rate on the electronic fetal monitor had remained consistent

over the last two decades.

       JHC objected to the Burkes’ use of the 2019 textbook as a violation of the Burkes’

motion in limine regarding the use of subsequent publications post-2014, which the trial court

overruled. The court determined that the motion in limine had been withdrawn and that

regardless, the standard of care had not changed between 2014 and 2019.

       During direct examination of nurse Crawford, the Burkes displayed the fetal heart strip in

the 2019 textbook for the jury, which included the text description beneath the image stated

above. The Burkes asked Crawford whether the fetal heart strip in the 2019 textbook was

actually a tracing of a maternal heart rate and whether she recognized the tracing as Scott’s

during her labor and delivery. Crawford did recognize the tracing as Scott’s. JHC objected to

the use of the 2019 textbook excerpt, and the trial court overruled the objection.

       JHC filed a motion for mistrial based on the Burkes’ use of the 2019 textbook excerpt

during trial. JHC argued that the 2019 textbook excerpt was never disclosed during discovery

and that the use of the 2019 textbook excerpt violated several orders in limine. JHC also claimed

that the Burkes could not establish the standard of care from 2014 with the 2019 textbook

excerpt that was not applicable during Scott’s labor and delivery. The Burkes opposed JHC’s

motion in part on the grounds that they properly disclosed the 2019 textbook before trial and that

they provided a copy of the exhibit to JHC via an online folder.

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No. 54598-5-II

       The trial court denied JHC’s motion for a mistrial and provided a curative instruction to

the jury to disregard the text in the 2019 textbook that described the fetal heart strip.

The Burkes’ Economic Expert Testimony

       Dr. Frederick DeKay, a Ph.D. economist, testified as the Burkes’ economic expert

regarding the economic value of LB’s life care plan and any related lost earnings. Dr. DeKay

explained his methodology as to how he calculated the present net value of the costs detailed in

the life care plan, how that would be projected in the future, how it would be reduced to present

net value today, and how inflation and interest played a role in his calculations. For example,

Dr. DeKay explained that he used 4.3 percent as the average wage inflation and that he reduced

the future amounts he calculated by 0.9 percent to account for interest.

       Dr. DeKay stated that an annuity was a financial instrument that involved paying an

initial lump sum and would provide for future payments over a specified time period. He

estimated that any annuity quotes for LB’s life care plan would be similar to the dollar figures he

calculated. Dr. DeKay testified that the adequacy of any annuity quote would depend on the

issue of inflation and unanticipated inflation and provided examples of how those factors impact

periodic payments.

Periodic Payments

       During trial in the context of examination of LB’s guardian Wolf, JHC stated its intention

to invoke the periodic payment provisions of RCW 4.56.260 and to propose specific jury

instructions regarding those provisions.

       Following the close of evidence, the parties conferenced with the trial court to discuss

jury instructions and the special verdict form. There was no court reporter present during the

discussion, but GE took notes at the conference to memorialize their discussion that day. The

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No. 54598-5-II

notes showed that JHC intended to preserve its statutory right under RCW 4.56.260 to request

periodic payments for future economic damages. As a result, JHC wanted the special verdict

form to have separate lines for LB’s future medical care, future services, future wage loss, and

noneconomic damages. The court agreed with JHC’s argument.

       As part of the final jury instructions, instruction number 20 stated that “[a]ny award for

future economic damages must be for the present cash value of those damages.” CP at 2156.

“Present cash value” was defined as “the sum of money needed now which, if invested at a

reasonable rate of return, would equal the amount of loss at the time in the future when the

expenses must be paid or the earnings would have been received.” CP at 2156. Instruction

number 20 further instructed the jury to apply the rate of interest as the “rate which in your

judgment is reasonable under all the circumstances.” CP at 2156.

       The special verdict form instructed the jury to award damages to LB in two separate

categories: future economic damages and non-economic damages. Future economic damages

had three separate categories: (1) medical care, treatment, and services; (2) lost earnings and

earnings capacity; and (3) necessary nonmedical expenses.

CR 50 Dismissal of GE

       At the end of trial, GE proposed bringing a motion for judgment as a matter of law under

CR 50 to dismiss GE as a party. The Burkes agreed that the trial court should dismiss GE. JHC

did not object to dismissing GE under CR 50. The court granted GE’s motion and dismissed GE

from the case.

Jury Verdict

       After six weeks of trial, the jury returned a verdict finding JHC negligent and finding that

JHC’s negligence proximately caused LB’s damages and Scott’s and Burke’s damages. The jury

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No. 54598-5-II

awarded LB $2 million in future medical care, treatment, and services; $1,050,000 for future lost

earnings and earnings capacity; $10 million for future necessary nonmedical expenses; and

$6,250,000 for non-economic damages. The jury awarded Scott and Burke $4.6 million in

damages.

       On the same day that the jury rendered its verdict, the trial court entered judgment on the

jury verdict with no objection from JHC. The judgment did not include periodic payments for

the future economic damages.

Motion to Amend Judgment

       Six days after the trial court entered judgment on the jury’s verdict, JHC filed a motion to

amend the judgment to provide for periodic payments for future economic damages pursuant to

RCW 4.56.260(1). The Burkes opposed JHC’s motion, arguing that JHC failed to object at entry

of judgment and that JHC should have raised the RCW 4.56.260 issue before trial and before

examination of the Burkes’ expert economist. In reply, JHC referenced three different occasions

when it invoked its intent to seek periodic payments: in its answer to the Burkes’ complaint,

during discovery, and during cross-examination of LB’s guardian at trial.

       After oral argument, the trial court granted JHC’s motion to amend the judgment in part,

but reserved its decision on how the periodic payments should be structured and did not request

any proposals for periodic payments until the conclusion of this appeal.

       JHC appeals the trial court’s judgment on the jury verdict. The Burkes cross-appeal the

trial court’s order granting JHC’s motion to amend the judgment to include periodic payments

for future economic damages.

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No. 54598-5-II

                                            ANALYSIS

A.     CHANGE IN VENUE

       JHC argues that the trial court erred in transferring venue to Kitsap County because RCW

70.44.060(8) mandates that the venue of this case must be in Jefferson County and RCW

4.12.030 did not support a change in venue. This argument is incorrect.

       1.    Legal Principles

       The trial court may change the place of trial when “there is reason to believe that an

impartial trial cannot be had therein,” RCW 4.12.030(2), or when “the convenience of witnesses

or the ends of justice would be forwarded by the change,” RCW 4.12.030(3). We review an

order to change venue for an abuse of discretion. Hatley v. Saberhagen Holdings, Inc., 118 Wn.

App. 485, 488, 76 P.3d 255 (2003). A trial court abuses its discretion when its decision is based

on untenable grounds or is made for untenable reasons. Id.

       2.    Effect of RCW 70.44.060(8)

       JHC argues that RCW 70.44.060(8) requires that a lawsuit against a public hospital

district be tried in the county where the public hospital district is located. RCW 70.44.060(8)

provides that public hospital districts have the power “[t]o sue and be sued in any court of

competent jurisdiction: PROVIDED, [t]hat all suits against the public hospital district shall be

brought in the county in which the public hospital district is located.” (Emphasis added.)

       RCW 70.44.060(8) does not state that all lawsuits against a public hospital district must

be tried in the county where the hospital district is located. The statute states that a lawsuit must

be “brought” in the county where the hospital district is located. RCW 70.44.060(8) (emphasis

added). The term “brought” plainly refers to the filing of the lawsuit. Nothing in RCW

70.44.060(8) suggests that the venue cannot be changed after the lawsuit has been filed. And to

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No. 54598-5-II

strictly interpret the statute as JHC proposes would restrict a trial court’s ability to exercise

discretion to change venue when necessary to further the ends of justice and ensure a fair and

impartial trial.

        JHC also relies on RCW 70.44.900, which provides that when a provision of chapter

70.44 RCW “comes in conflict with any provisions, limitation or restriction in any other law, this

act [1945 c 264] shall govern and control.” But as stated above, RCW 70.44.060(8) only

requires that a lawsuit against a public hospital district be filed in the county where the hospital

district is located. Therefore, a subsequent change of venue under RCW 4.12.030 does not

conflict with RCW 70.44.060(8).

        Accordingly, we conclude that RCW 70.44.060(8) does not preclude a trial court from

changing venue under RCW 4.12.030.

        3.    Application of RCW 4.12.030

              a.   RCW 4.12.030(2)

        The trial court found that a transfer of venue was warranted pursuant to RCW 4.12.030(2)

because an impartial jury could not be impaneled in Jefferson County.

        Out of the 60 potential jurors who appeared for jury duty in the first trial, 38 jurors were

dismissed for hardship or for cause. A number of potential jurors had personal relationships with

the parties or witnesses and that they stated that those relationships would impact their ability to

remain fair and impartial. For example, some jurors stated that they were family friends with the

Burkes or that they grew up with Scott. Other potential jurors stated that they were former or

current patients of JHC or Dr. Bickling, and Dr. Bickling had delivered the babies of some of the

jurors. And both the Burkes and JHC agreed that no current employees of JHC could be on the

jury.

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No. 54598-5-II

       JHC argues that an impartial jury could have been created if the jury pool had been

enlarged. But JHC fails to cite to any legal authority that requires the trial court to exhaust all

possibilities of creating an impartial jury before exercising its discretion to change venue. In

addition, the court noted that there was a large percentage of the potential jurors who had a

connection with a party involved and that it would be difficult to continue bringing in additional

potential jurors to empanel an impartial jury.

       JHC also argues that prospective jurors would not need to be excused simply because

they were acquainted with the parties or they had been treated at JHC. However, JHC does not

argue that certain prospective jurors should not have been excused at the first trial. In fact, after

two days of jury selection JHC agreed with the trial court that there were an insufficient number

of potential jurors left after excusing the other potential jurors for cause or hardship.

       We conclude that the trial court did not err when it determined that a change in venue

was justified under RCW 4.12.030(2).

             b.   RCW 4.12.030(3)

       The trial court also stated that the length of the trial and the logistics of the single

courtroom in Jefferson County supported a change of venue in the interest of justice under RCW

4.12.030(3). The court explained that there was a “risk or potential of being bumped by a

criminal case” and “Jefferson County [had] one courtroom, and the potential for a criminal case

that could take a week, two weeks, three days, one day . . . is a real and apparent risk.” CP at

2467. In addition, the court noted that it would be difficult to bring in more jurors given the size

or layout of the courtroom.

       JHC asserts that in deciding whether to change venue under RCW 4.12.030(3), the court

must consider whether the change would cause undue hardship. JHC claims that changing venue

                                                  18
No. 54598-5-II

to Kitsap County was an undue hardship because Dr. Bickling and the two nurse witnesses

would be forced to commute at least an hour away from the hospital to attend trial. As a result,

they would have to take more time off from work and would be unavailable to their patients.

        However, the declaration on which JHC relies merely stated without support that it could

have been an undue hardship on the hospital to have the witnesses unavailable at some point

during the trial because of the potential for increased patient populations or unforeseen

emergencies. Nor did the witnesses need to be present every day during the length of the trial. 4

        We conclude that the trial court did not err when it determined that a change in venue

was justified under RCW 4.12.030(3).

B.      BATSON CHALLENGE

        JHC argues that the Burkes’ use of peremptory challenges to excuse male prospective

jurors constituted a Batson violation and violated its constitutional right to a fair trial and the

excluded jurors’ right to equal protection. This argument is incorrect.

        1.   Legal Principles

        During the jury selection process, each party may exercise peremptory challenges to

remove prospective jurors without cause. See Portch v. Sommerville, 113 Wn. App. 807, 810, 55

P.3d 661 (2002). RCW 4.44.130 states that each party is allowed to make three peremptory

challenges. Courts have recognized that peremptory challenges are integral to “assuring the

selection of a qualified and unbiased jury.” Batson, 476 U.S. at 91.

        However, the United States Supreme Court held in Batson that peremptory challenges

may not be exercised on the basis of a prospective juror’s race. Id. at 89. To do so would

4
  JHC lists a number of factors that it claims the trial court must consider, but those factors are
from cases addressing forum non conveniens, not venue. See Myers v. Boeing Co., 115 Wn.2d
123, 128, 794 P.2d 1272 (1990).

                                                  19
No. 54598-5-II

constitute a violation of the equal protection clause under the United States Constitution because

a defendant has a constitutional “right to be tried by a jury whose members are selected pursuant

to nondiscriminatory criteria.” Id. at 85-86. Although Batson challenges typically are raised in

criminal cases, the same principles apply to civil cases as well. See Edmonson v. Leesville

Concrete Co., Inc., 500 U.S. 614, 631, 111 S. Ct. 2077, 114 L. Ed. 2d 660 (1991).

       As noted above, Batson addressed alleged racial discrimination. 476 U.S. at 93-94. Most

Washington cases applying Batson also have involved claims of racially motivated juror

challenges. E.g., State v. Jefferson, 192 Wn.2d 225, 232, 429 P.3d 467 (2018). However, in

State v. Burch, the court held that the traditional Batson analysis also applies to gender-based

discrimination. 65 Wn. App. 828, 836, 830 P.2d 357 (1992); see also J.E.B. v. Alabama ex rel.

T.B., 511 U.S. 127, 129, 114 S. Ct. 1419, 128 L. Ed. 2d 89 (1994). The Burkes do not argue that

Batson does not apply here. We assume that Batson applies to claims of gender-based juror

challenges.

       Washington has adopted the Batson three-step analysis when the use of a peremptory

challenge was based on a juror’s race. Jefferson, 192 Wn.2d at 231. First, the party raising the

Batson challenge bears the burden of establishing “a prima facie case that ‘gives rise to an

inference of discriminatory purpose.’ ” Id. at 231-32 (quoting Batson, 476 U.S. at 94). This

requires establishing that (1) the peremptory challenge was exercised against a constitutionally

protected group, and (2) that fact and additional relevant circumstances raise an inference that

the peremptory challenge was based on that prospective juror’s membership in that protected

group. State v. Evans, 100 Wn. App. 757, 763-64, 998 P.2d 373 (2000). “ ‘Relevant

circumstances’ may include a pattern of strikes against members of the group or the particular

                                                20
No. 54598-5-II

questions asked during voir dire.” Id. at 764 (quoting State v. Rhodes, 82 Wn. App. 192, 196,

917 P.2d 149 (1996)).

        Second, the burden then shifts to the party exercising the peremptory challenge to provide

a neutral explanation for the challenge. Jefferson, 192 Wn.2d at 232. The party must offer more

than a general denial of discriminatory intent. Evans, 100 Wn. App. at 764.

        The traditional third step is if a neutral explanation is provided, the trial court must

determine if the challenging party has established purposeful discrimination. Jefferson, 192

Wn.2d at 232. However, the Supreme Court in Jefferson modified the third step of a Batson

analysis because the court concluded that the traditional inquiry of whether the challenging party

has established purposeful discrimination did not adequately address pervasive racial

discrimination during jury selection. Id. at 24243, 252. The court stated:

        [W]e hold that the question at the third step of the Batson framework is not whether
        the proponent of the peremptory strike is acting out of purposeful discrimination.
        Instead, the relevant question is whether “an objective observer could view race or
        ethnicity as a factor in the use of the peremptory challenge.” If so, then the
        peremptory strike shall be denied.

Id. at 249.

        Under the traditional analysis, we review the trial court’s Batson determination “for clear

error and defer to the trial court to the extent that its rulings are factual.” Id. at 232. But because

the modified third step involves an objective standard, we review de novo the record and the trial

court’s conclusions regarding that modified step. Id. at 249-50.

        2.    Analysis

        After the Burkes and GE identified their peremptory challenges, JHC objected to the use

of those challenges to strike only male prospective jurors. The trial court acknowledged that this

objection triggered a Batson analysis.

                                                  21
No. 54598-5-II

            a.    First Step

       The trial court did not expressly find that JHC had established a prima facie case of

purposeful gender discrimination. Instead, the court went straight to the second step, asking the

Burkes and GE to provide gender-neutral reasons for their challenges. Therefore, the court made

an implied finding that JHC had satisfied the first step of the Batson analysis.

       The Burkes argue that JHC failed to establish a prima facie case giving rise to an

inference of discriminatory purpose. However, all of the peremptory challenges the Burkes and

GE used were on men. Under an abuse of discretion standard, we conclude that this fact

supports the trial court’s implied finding that JHC had established a prima facie case.

            b.    Second Step

       Regarding the second step of Batson, the Burkes and GE both provided gender-neutral

explanations for the peremptory challenges used against male prospective jurors. The Burkes

excluded juror 41 because he had negative thoughts on malpractice cases and because his wife

who was a nurse. The Burkes excluded juror 21 because he provided “no response to any

questions” and “seemed uninvolved in the process,” which therefore meant that “he would not be

an involved juror in responding to questions.” 5 Report of Proceedings (RP) at 1059. He also

was unmarried and had no children, which the Burkes stated could lead to an inability to relate to

their experience. The Burkes excluded juror 27 because he believed that “the number of lawsuits

have increased the cost of healthcare” and that his political views were concerning based on the

type of news outlets that he followed. 5 RP at 1060. Finally, the Burkes excluded juror 2

because he believed that “medical negligence suits drive up the costs of health insurance and

malpractice concerns” and his wife and daughter were healthcare providers. 5 RP at 1060.

                                                 22
No. 54598-5-II

       GE explained that it excluded juror 37 because he “barely participated in the [jury

selection] process” and was working in a quasi-law enforcement capacity as a security guard. 5

RP at 1061. GE excluded juror 4 because he had done some consulting work for law firms and

potentially could persuade other jurors to follow his opinions, he had a nurse in his family, and

he had a family member who suffered a negative medical outcome.

       There is no question that both the Burkes and GE provided gender-neutral justifications

for their six peremptory challenges. JHC does not argue otherwise.

             c.   Third Step

       The court in Jefferson modified the third step of the Batson analysis to address pervasive

racial discrimination during jury selection. 192 Wn.2d at 242-43, 252. Therefore, it is unclear

whether the modification (and de novo review) would apply to Batson challenges unrelated to

racial discrimination as in this case, or whether the traditional third step (and abuse of discretion

review) applies here.

       Regardless of the standard of review, the record shows that JHC did not establish

purposeful discrimination (traditional third step) and an objective observer would not view

gender as a factor in the Burkes’ and GE’s peremptory challenges (modified third step).

       First, the Burkes’ and GE’s explanations for their peremptory challenges seem legitimate

rather than pretextual. For example, a medical negligence plaintiff certainly would be concerned

about jurors who have negative views about malpractice cases or think lawsuits are increasing

health costs. And while striking jurors because they were not engaged in the jury selection

process could reflect bias, that fact was significant for a complex, six-week trial.

       Second, the Burkes’ behavior regarding for cause challenges did not reflect a bias against

males or in favor of females. They challenged two female jurors for cause, did not object when

                                                 23
No. 54598-5-II

JHC challenged a female for cause, and stipulated to removing other females from the jury. And

the Burkes resisted JHC’s attempt to remove two male jurors for cause.

       Third, the Burkes used only four of their six peremptory challenges and GE used only

two of their three challenges even though that meant that several men remained on the jury.

Arguably, if the Burkes and GE were attempting to systematically remove men from the jury,

they would have used their remaining peremptory challenges on men.

       Finally, out of the final jurors and alternates, five jurors were male. Therefore, the jury

remained gender diverse despite the Burkes’ and GE’s exercise of peremptory challenges.

       We conclude that the record does not support a finding of purposeful discrimination or a

finding that an objective observer could view gender as a factor in the Burkes’ and GE’s

peremptory challenges. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err in denying JHC’s

Batson challenge regarding the exclusion of male prospective jurors.5

C.     CR 21 MOTION TO DISMISS GE

       JHC assigns error to the trial court’s denial of its midtrial motion to dismiss GE under CR

21. However, in its brief JHC raises a number of additional arguments regarding the high-low

agreement between the Burkes and GE. JHC argues that (1) the high-low agreement between the

Burkes and GE was a “Mary Carter” agreement that was void as against public policy, (2) the

trial court erred in ruling that the high-low agreement would not be disclosed to the jury, (3) the

trial court should have dismissed GE as a party under RCW 4.22.060 at the reasonableness

5
  JHC claims that the trial court should have held an evidentiary hearing to assess its Batson
challenge, relying on State v. Berhe, 193 Wn.2d 647, 444 P.3d 1172 (2019). But the Supreme
Court in Berhe discussed an evidentiary hearing to address explicit and implicit racial bias as a
factor during jury deliberations, not during the jury selection process. 193 Wn.2d at 657, 661-
62. No Washington case has suggested that a trial court must hold an evidentiary hearing as part
of a Batson analysis.

                                                 24
No. 54598-5-II

hearing, and (4) the trial court should have given JHC an offset equivalent to the reasonable

value of the high-low agreement at the reasonableness hearing.

       We reject JHC’s CR 21 argument. And because JHC only assigned error to the trial

court’s denial of JHC’s CR 21 motion to dismiss GE and JHC did not raise the additional issues

at trial, we decline to address those issues.

       1.    Failure to Preserve Arguments

       Although JHC raises a number of additional arguments regarding the high-low

agreement, JHC assigned error only to the trial court’s denial of its motion to dismiss GE under

CR 21. JHC did not assign error to any of the additional arguments. We generally do not

address issues not included in the assignments of error. RAP 10.3(g); Phillips v. Greco, 7 Wn.

App. 2d 1, 9, 433 P.3d 509 (2018).

       More significantly, JHC did not raise these additional arguments in the trial court. We

generally do not consider arguments raised for the first time on appeal. RAP 2.5(a); Samra v.

Singh, 15 Wn. App. 2d 823, 838, 479 P.3d 713 (2020).

       Regarding JHC’s claim that the high-low agreement was void as against public policy,

the record shows that JHC had ample opportunity to oppose the high-low agreement and failed to

do so. When the Burkes and GE moved for approval of the agreement, JHC did not argue that

the agreement was improper or void. Instead, JHC stated that it did not file an opposition, did

not oppose the motion, and noted that the Supreme Court in Barton had approved of such high-

low agreements. At the beginning of the second trial, JHC stated that it was “not suggesting [the

high-low agreement] rises to the level of a Mary Carter agreement.” 3 RP at 507.

       Regarding JHC’s claim that the high-low agreement should have been disclosed to the

jury, the record shows that JHC did not state any opposition to the Burkes’ and GE’s motion in

                                                25
No. 54598-5-II

limine to preclude references to the high-low agreement and did not object when the trial court

ordered that there would be no reference to the agreement at trial. And JHC never attempted to

revisit this order during trial.

        Regarding JHC’s claim that the trial court should have dismissed GE under RCW

4.22.060 after the reasonableness hearing on the high-low agreement, JHC never argued that the

court should have dismissed GE at that time. And JHC did not object to the court’s finding that

the high-low agreement was not a release under RCW 4.22.070 because it did not fully and

finally resolve the claims between the Burkes and GE. Finally, JHC did not argue pursuant to its

CR 21 motion that GE should have been dismissed after the reasonableness hearing.

        Regarding JHC’s claim that the trial court should have given it an offset for the value of

the high-low agreement at the reasonableness hearing, the record shows that JHC did not ask the

court at the reasonableness hearing to establish the amount of an offset to JHC. JHC also did not

request an offset when the Burkes and GE moved to dismiss GE under CR 50 at the end of trial,

when the court entered judgment on the jury’s verdict, and when it moved to amend the

judgment to address periodic payments.

        JHC never argued that (1) the high-low agreement violated public policy or otherwise

was improper, (2) the jury should be informed of the high-low agreement, (3) the trial court

should have dismissed GE under RCW 4.22.060 after the reasonableness hearing, or (4) it was

entitled to an offset based on the high-low agreement. Therefore, we decline to address JHC’s

arguments raised for the first time on appeal.

        2.   CR 21 Motion to Dismiss GE

        JHC argues that the trial court erred by denying its midtrial motion to dismiss GE as a

party under CR 21. This argument is incorrect.

                                                 26
No. 54598-5-II

            a.   Legal Principles

       CR 21 provides in part: “Parties may be dropped or added by order of the court on

motion of any party or of its own initiative at any stage of the action and on such terms as are

just. Any claim against a party may be severed and proceeded with separately.” We review a

trial court’s decision to grant or deny a motion to drop a party from a case under CR 21 for abuse

of discretion. Shelby v. Keck, 85 Wn.2d 911, 918, 541 P.2d 365 (1975).

       In Shelby, Keck accidentally shot and killed the plaintiff’s husband after consuming

alcohol at a bar. 85 Wn.2d at 912. The plaintiff sued both Keck and the bar, but then entered

into a settlement in which Keck’s insurer agreed to pay $25,000 and the plaintiff agreed not to

seek any recovery from Keck above that amount. Id. The trial court granted the bar’s motion to

dismiss Keck under CR 21. Id. at 913. The Supreme Court affirmed, concluding that the

agreement was a binding settlement that left no justiciable dispute between the parties. Id. at

918.

       In Barton, the plaintiff was injured in an accident and sued the driver who crashed into

him, her parents under the family car doctrine, and the State for negligent highway design and

maintenance. 178 Wn.2d at 197-98. The parents entered into a stipulation with the plaintiff to

provide advance payment in the amount of $20,000. Id. at 198. The stipulation provided that

any future settlement or verdict against the parents would be reduced by $20,000 and that the

plaintiff would not execute on any judgment against the parents in excess of their liability

insurance. Id. The stipulation expressly stated that the advance payment was not a settlement of

any claims brought against the parents. Id.

       The court concluded that the stipulation did not release the parents from all liability

because (1) the motorcyclist and the parents did not intend to settle all claims between the parties

                                                27
No. 54598-5-II

through the stipulation, (2) the State still had the right to seek contribution from the parents, and

(3) the parents remained potentially liable to the motorcyclist in the amount of $20,000 to

$100,000, the maximum allowable under their liability insurance. Id. at 212-13.

             b.    Analysis

        JHC relies on Shelby to argue that the high-low agreement was a binding settlement

agreement that left no justiciable issues to be resolved. But in Shelby, the settling defendant

already paid the plaintiff the maximum amount of damages that could have been asserted against

him pursuant to the settlement agreement. 85 Wn.2d at 912. Here, GE remained potentially

liable to the Burkes for an amount between $1 million and $5 million. And the record shows that

at the time of the settlement, GE was prepared to fully defend itself at trial to minimize its

liability and the amount in damages owed to the Burkes. The high-low agreement here is more

similar to the stipulation in Barton, which the court concluded did not release the defendant from

liability. 178 Wn.2d at 213.

        JHC also ignores the Supreme Court’s suggestion in Barton that the issue of whether a

settlement releases a party of liability depends on the intent of the parties. Id. at 209. Here, the

record supports the inference that the Burkes and GE did not intend for the high-low agreement

to release GE.

        Finally, in Shelby the other defendant filed the CR 21 motion before trial started. 85

Wn.2d at 912. Here, JHC did not file its motion until the middle of the trial. That fact may have

affected the trial court’s exercise of its discretion.

        The standard of review for CR 21 motions is abuse of discretion. Shelby, 85 Wn.2d at

918. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied JHC’s mid-trial

motion to dismiss GE as a party under CR 21.

                                                   28
No. 54598-5-II

D.     ORDER IN LIMINE TO EXCLUDE OTHER CAUSATION THEORIES

       JHC argues that the trial court erred when it granted the Burkes’ motion in limine to

exclude other causation theories, specifically JHC’s expert testimony from Dr. Wiswell and Dr.

Fisher regarding Scott’s family genetic history and seizure disorder and her prenatal marijuana

use. This argument is incorrect.

       1.   Legal Principles

       We review a trial court’s decision to grant a motion in limine for an abuse of discretion.

Gunn v. Riely, 185 Wn. App. 517, 531, 344 P.3d 1225 (2015). A trial court abuses its discretion

when its decision is manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds. Terrell v.

Hamilton, 190 Wn. App. 489, 499, 358 P.3d 453 (2015).

            a.   ER 702

       ER 702 provides that a court may permit a witness qualified as an expert to provide an

opinion regarding scientific or specialized knowledge if such testimony may assist the trier of

fact. “Admission is proper provided the expert is qualified and his or her testimony is helpful.”

Volk v. DeMeerleer, 187 Wn.2d 241, 277, 386 P.3d 254 (2016). The expert’s opinion must be

grounded on facts and cannot be conclusory or based on an assumption. Id.

       An expert opinion that lacks adequate foundation must be excluded. Johnston-Forbes v.

Matsunaga, 181 Wn.2d 346, 357, 333 P.3d 388 (2014). Similarly, expert testimony is

inadmissible when it is speculative and not helpful to the trier of fact. Volk, 187 Wn.2d at 277.

       “[T]rial courts are afforded wide discretion and trial court expert opinion decisions will

not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of such discretion.” Johnston-Forbes, 181 Wn.2d at

352. An abuse of discretion occurs when the trial court’s ruling is “unsupported by the record or

                                                29
No. 54598-5-II

result[s] from applying the wrong legal standard.” Gilmore v. Jefferson County Pub. Transp.

Benefit Area, 190 Wn.2d 483, 494, 415 P.3d 212 (2018).

               b.   ER 401, 402, and 403

          Only relevant evidence is admissible. ER 402. Evidence is relevant when it has “any

tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the

action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.” ER 401. The

threshold to admit relevant evidence is low and even minimally relevant evidence is admissible.

Mut. of Enumclaw Ins. Co. v. Gregg Roofing, Inc., 178 Wn. App. 702, 729, 315 P.3d 1143

(2013).

          However, even relevant evidence may be excluded under ER 403 “if its probative value

is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or

mislead[s] the jury.”     Trial courts have broad discretion in weighing the probative value of

evidence against its prejudicial impact. Needham v. Dreyer, 11 Wn. App. 2d 479, 493, 454 P.3d

136 (2019), review denied, 195 Wn.2d 1017 (2020).

               c.   Case Law

          In Colley v. Peacehealth, the court held that the trial court did not err when it allowed

three defense experts to testify that a plaintiff’s memory loss after his hospital visit was caused

either by his documented history of several preexisting conditions, his history of heavy alcohol

drinking, or his prior traumatic brain injury. 177 Wn. App. 717, 728-31, 312 P.3d 989 (2013).

The experts provided alternative theories of causation to explain the plaintiff’s memory loss after

his hospital visit based on undisputed and admissible evidence, including the plaintiff’s

preexisting conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea, and CT scans of his brain before and

after the respiratory event at the hospital. Id. at 728-30.

                                                   30
No. 54598-5-II

       In Needham, the court held that the trial court erred when it relied on Colley to admit

expert testimony that was irrelevant and highly prejudicial on the issue of causation. 11 Wn.

App. 2d at 493. In that case, the plaintiff had been found unconscious in a winter cabin a few

days after a doctor’s appointment regarding his breathing and gastrointestinal issues. Id. at 481.

The plaintiff’s legs were amputated due to frostbite. Id. He sued his primary care physician and

hospital, alleging medical negligence. Id. at 481-82. The trial court allowed the hospital’s two

experts to testify that the plaintiff’s use of alcohol on the day of the incident could have caused

his collapse. Id. at 486.

       The court determined that Colley was distinguishable because the experts there relied on

admissible evidence of a detailed medical history and a documented history of alcoholism. Id. at

495. In comparison, the experts in Needham relied on the plaintiff’s statement that he took three

shots of alcohol on the day of the incident and merely speculated that it was possible that alcohol

caused the collapse despite the fact that there was no alcohol found in his system when he was

admitted into the hospital. Id. at 496. The court concluded that the expert testimony was both

speculative and highly prejudicial with little probative value. Id. at 496-97.

       2.    Analysis

       The trial court distinguished Colley from this case and determined that Dr. Wiswell’s and

Dr. Fisher’s alternative theories of causation regarding Scott’s family genetic history and her

prenatal marijuana and tobacco use were irrelevant, unduly speculative, lacked foundation,

highly prejudicial, and not helpful to the trier of fact. The record supports the trial court’s

determination that Dr. Wiswell’s and Dr. Fisher’s testimonies did not meet the evidentiary

foundational requirements of ER 401-03 and ER 702.

                                                  31
No. 54598-5-II

        Both Dr. Wiswell and Dr. Fisher speculated that genetics was a possible cause of LB’s

health issues. They admitted that there was no way to show how Scott’s family history of

genetic abnormalities in male family members could be related to LB’s health conditions, which

warranted exclusion under ER 702. Dr. Fisher noted that genetic disorders in Scott’s family had

been restricted to males and that he had no knowledge about what type of genetic disorders the

male family members had beyond “some element of either some cognitive or delay process.” CP

at 3484. Although Dr. Fisher believed that photos of LB showed some dysmorphic features, he

also admitted that it did not necessarily mean she had some kind of genetic disorder and that

there was nothing in her medical records that identified dysmorphia. Dr. Wiswell testified that

there was no specific diagnosis for the cause of the genetic abnormalities in the male family

members and that he did not know what LB’s genetic cause might be.

        Dr. Wiswell also alleged that LB’s seizure disorder possibly was connected through

Donna, who had a seizure disorder. But Donna was diagnosed with adolescent epilepsy, which

presented differently from the type of seizures that LB experienced. And Dr. Wiswell admitted

that he had no knowledge as to what type of seizures that Donna had or whether it was

hereditary.

        In short, the record shows that neither expert could draw the connection between Scott’s

family history of genetic abnormality that affected male family members and Donna’s seizure

disorder with LB’s brain injury, neurological functioning, or seizure disorder that developed

shortly after her birth.

        In addition, neither expert provided any testimony that explained how Scott’s prenatal

marijuana use could have caused the type of injuries that LB sustained. Both Dr. Wiswell and

Dr. Fisher stated that Scott’s prenatal marijuana use may have contributed to LB’s conditions.

                                                32
No. 54598-5-II

Dr. Fisher also stated that there was no medical literature that showed a correlation between the

prenatal marijuana use with the type of brain injury that LB sustained and that marijuana could

not fully explain LB’s condition. And the articles that Dr. Wiswell relied on likewise

acknowledged that the research was developing on how marijuana may change the brain or to

what extent marijuana use may affect pregnancy.

       Finally, in Colley the court allowed defense experts to testify about possible causes of a

plaintiff’s injuries even though they could not state opinions regarding causation on a more

probable than not basis. 177 Wn. App. at 728-32. But Dr. Wiswell and Dr. Fisher did state

opinions regarding causation on a more probable than not basis – they opined that LB’s injuries

were caused by inflammatory or infectious processes. Colley is distinguishable on that basis.

       Even if Dr. Wiswell’s and Dr. Fisher’s testimonies were minimally relevant, exclusion

still was reasonable under ER 403. JHC failed to establish that the proffered expert testimony

had any probative value because both experts admitted that there was no indication in LB’s

medical records that genetics may have caused or even contributed to her health issues or that

prenatal marijuana use could result in the type of injuries that LB sustained. Dr. Wiswell also

testified that a family history of genetic abnormalities and seizures and prenatal marijuana use

were “factors that could have influenced [LB’s condition] in a minor way” and that “[i]f none of

these factors were present or known in this case,” LB’s condition still would remain the same.

CP at 3519.

       Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err when it granted the Burkes’ motion in

limine to exclude all testimony on Scott’s family history of genetic abnormalities and seizure

disorders and Scott’s prenatal marijuana use.

                                                33
No. 54598-5-II

E.     MOTION FOR MISTRIAL

       JHC argues that the trial court erred in denying its motion for a mistrial on the grounds

that the Burkes committed a number of discovery and in limine order violations when they relied

on an excerpt from a 2019 textbook to establish the 2014 standard of conduct at trial. This

argument is incorrect.

       1.    Legal Principles

       Under CR 59(a)(2), a court may vacate a verdict and grant a new trial if the prevailing

party’s misconduct materially affects the substantial rights of the aggrieved party. Spencer v.

Badgley Mullins Turner, PLLC, 6 Wn. App. 2d 762, 790, 432 P.3d 821 (2018). “A party seeking

a new trial based on counsel’s conduct must establish that (1) the conduct was misconduct, (2)

the misconduct was prejudicial, (3) the misconduct was objected to at trial, and (4) the

misconduct was not cured by the trial court’s instructions.” Id.

       We review a trial court’s decision to deny a motion for a new trial pursuant to CR

59(a)(2) for abuse of discretion. Id. When reviewing a trial court’s decision, we consider

whether the aggrieved party was so prejudiced by the prevailing party’s misconduct that he or

she was deprived of a fair trial. Id. “The trial court is in the best position ‘to most effectively

determine if counsel’s misconduct prejudiced a party’s right to a fair trial.’ ” Id. (quoting Miller

v. Kenny, 180 Wn. App. 772, 815, 325 P.3d 278 (2014)).

       2.   Discovery Violations

       JHC argues that the Burkes committed several discovery violations when they failed to

disclose that (1) they were in communication with the authors of a 2019 textbook regarding the

use of LB’s fetal heart strip as an example of maternal heart rate confusion and (2) they intended

                                                  34
No. 54598-5-II

to use the 2019 textbook excerpt to establish the standard of care in 2014. This argument is

incorrect.

       JHC fails to explain which specific discovery rules that it believes the Burkes violated.

And according to the Burkes’ attorney’s declaration, the 2019 textbook was listed as trial exhibit

60 in their amended trial witness and exhibit list and was provided to JHC through an online

folder. In addition, the 2019 textbook was offered as a type of “learned treatise” that was used

for impeachment and illustrative purposes, not as a form of expert opinion. Kitsap County Local

Rules 16(b)(1)(B) and (C) do not require parties to exchange exhibits that are used only for

impeachment or illustrative purposes.

       Here, the 2019 textbook excerpt containing the fetal heart strip was used for

impeachment and illustrative purposes during trial, such as asking Dr. Lagana whether she

believed that the excerpt in the 2019 textbook was an example of how the fetal heart rate can be

confused with the maternal heart rate, and asking Crawford if she believed that Scott’s fetal heart

strip was identical to another example of maternal heart rate during contractions. Accordingly,

the Burkes were not required to disclose the 2019 textbook excerpt in discovery, but apparently

did so anyway.

       3.    In Limine Order Violations

       JHC argues that the Burkes’ use of the 2019 textbook excerpt violated four specific in

limine orders, primarily on the grounds that the Burkes used the 2019 textbook excerpt to

establish the 2014 standard of care rather than for illustrative purposes. JHC also claims that

these violations were unduly prejudicial because it allowed the Burkes to prevail on its medical

negligence claim by holding Crawford to a new 2019 standard of care. These arguments are

incorrect.

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       JHC’s allegations are premised in part on the theory that the 2019 textbook excerpt was

actually admitted as an expert opinion to establish standard of care. But the 2019 textbook was

offered as a learned treatise that was admissible under ER 803(a)(18) for illustrative purposes.

       Even if the Burkes’ use of the 2019 textbook excerpt did violate in limine orders by

referencing a 2019 standard of care, Dr. Lagana testified that the standard of care with respect to

the ability to distinguish the maternal heart rate from the fetal heart rate had not changed between

2001 and 2019. Further, there were several experts who reviewed the actual fetal heart strip

during Scott’s labor and explained how there was a breach of standard of conduct while

monitoring the fetal heart rate. As a result, any misconduct was not prejudicial.

       The trial court also provided a curative instruction to the jury to disregard the text in the

2019 textbook that described the fetal heart strip example. Therefore, any violation that may

have occurred did not rise to the level of prejudice that requires a grant of new trial.

       JHC argues that it was denied the opportunity to cross-examine the authors of the 2019

textbook. But JHC cites to no authority that has treated authors of a learned treatise as expert

testimony. And as stated above, the 2019 textbook excerpt was used purely for illustrative

purposes. JHC also had the opportunity to probe on cross-examination the validity and weight

that should be afforded to the 2019 textbook excerpt. Accordingly, we reject this argument.

       We hold that the trial court did not err in denying JHC’s motion for a mistrial based on

the Burkes’ use of the 2019 textbook excerpt.

F.     FAILURE TO RECUSE

       JHC argues that the trial judge erred when she failed to reveal her potential bias regarding

the alleged fact that she had a special needs child and subsequently failed to recuse herself given

the appearance of bias. We decline to address this argument.

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        JHC alleges that the trial judge stated during a side bar conference that she had a special

needs child in her family. JHC argues that the judge should have notified the parties of this fact

and ultimately should have recused herself. However, the record cites that JHC provides do not

support its allegation that the trial judge revealed that she had a special needs child in her family.

And nothing else in the record supports the allegation.

        The party presenting an issue for review bears the burden to provide an adequate record

to support his or her argument on appeal. Fahndrich v. Williams, 147 Wn. App. 302, 307, 194

P.3d 1005 (2008); see also RAP 9.2(b). JHC has not provided any record that supports its

argument that the trial judge acted inappropriately with regard to recusal.

        Further, JHC did not object or raise any concern when the trial judge allegedly stated that

she had a special needs child in her family. JHC responds that it was precluded from taking any

action in the trial court because the trial court did not reveal her potential conflict during trial

except for a passing reference. But nothing in the record shows that JHC asked the court to

explain the statement or request more information. And JHC never filed a recusal motion or

motion for mistrial based on this information. We generally do not consider issues raised for the

first time on appeal. Samra, 15 Wn. App. 2d at 838.

        Accordingly, we decline to consider JHC’s recusal argument.

G.      AMENDING JUDGMENT TO PROVIDE FOR PERIODIC PAYMENTS UNDER RCW 4.56.260

        The Burkes argue on cross-appeal that the trial court erred in granting JHC’s request for

periodic payments of future economic damages because JHC waived any right to seek periodic

payments by (1) not providing sufficient notice that it planned to invoke RCW 4.56.260, (2) not

proposing a periodic payment plan as required by RCW 4.56.260(2), and (3) not objecting to

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entry of judgment on the jury’s verdict that did not contain a periodic payment provision. This

argument is incorrect.

       1.    Legal Principles

       RCW 4.56.260(1) provides,

       In an action based on fault seeking damages for personal injury or property damage
       in which a verdict or award for future economic damages of at least one hundred
       thousand dollars is made, the court or arbitrator shall, at the request of a party, enter
       a judgment which provides for the periodic payment in whole or in part of the future
       economic damages. With respect to the judgment, the court or arbitrator shall make
       a specific finding as to the dollar amount of periodic payments intended to
       compensate the judgment creditor for the future economic damages.

RCW 4.56.260(2) states that (1) “[p]rior to entry of judgment, the court shall request each party

to submit a proposal for periodic payment of future economic damages to compensate the

claimant”; and (2) “the court shall select the proposal, with any changes the court deems proper,

which in the discretion of the court and the interests of justice best provides for the future needs

of the claimant and enter judgment accordingly.”

       The Burkes’ arguments involve the interpretation and application of RCW 4.56.260.

Statutory interpretation is an issue of law that we review de novo. TST, LLC v. Manufactured

Housing Dispute Resolution Program of Office of Attorney General, 17 Wn. App. 2d 662, 668,

485 P.3d 977 (2021). The primary goal of interpretation is to discern and give effect to the

legislature’s intent. Id. We look to the plain language of the statute, the context of the statute in

which the provision is found, and related statutes. Id. “We give effect to all the language in the

statute and do not render any portion meaningless or superfluous.” Id.

       The Burkes challenge the trial court’s grant of JHC’s motion to amend the judgment.

Under CR 59(h), a trial court may alter or amend a judgment if a motion is brought within 10

days after its entry. CR 59(a) states nine grounds that support a new trial or reconsideration. But

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there are no required grounds for altering or amending a judgment under CR 59(h). CR 59(h)

can be used to request that the trial court amend the judgment to reflect a party’s legal argument

regarding the terms of the judgment. See Coulter v. Asten Group, Inc., 135 Wn. App. 613, 618-

23, 146 P.3d 444 (2006) (reversing trial court’s denial of a CR 59(h) motion to amend the

judgment to provide for joint and several liability rather than several liability).

       We review a trial court’s decision to grant or deny a CR 59 motion for abuse of

discretion. Worden v. Smith, 178 Wn. App. 309, 322, 314 P.3d 1125 (2013). A trial court

abuses its discretion when its decision is manifestly unreasonable or based on untenable grounds

or untenable reasons. Id. at 323. A court necessarily abuses its discretion if its decision is based

on an erroneous view of the law. Id.

       2.    Sufficient Notice

       The Burkes argue that JHC waived its right to request periodic payments because it did

not give sufficient notice that it planned to invoke RCW 4.56.260. This argument is incorrect.

       In Esparza v. Skyreach Equipment, Inc., the defendant failed to notify the plaintiff of its

intention to request periodic payments under RCW 4.56.260 until after the jury returned its

verdict. 103 Wn. App. 916, 921, 15 P.3d 188 (2000). The trial court denied the defendant’s

postverdict motion for periodic payments because it came too late, and the appellate court

agreed. Id. at 942. The court quoted with approval a California case stating that a request for

periodic payments must be made at least before the plaintiff’s economic expert testified. Id. at

943. The court emphasized that advance notice was required because the plaintiff must have the

opportunity to have its economic expert address the present value of future damages and the jury

must be instructed to allocate separate amounts for each category of future damages. Id. at 943-

44.

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       Here, the record shows that JHC provided notice of its intent to invoke RCW 4.56.260 on

four different occasions: in its April 2017 answer to the Burkes’ complaint, in its June 2018

answers to discovery requests, during trial in the context of the examination of JB’s guardian,

and during the conference on jury instructions. In addition, the trial court’s special verdict form

contained separate lines for LB’s future medical care, future services, future wage loss, and

noneconomic damages as JHC requested for purposes of RCW 4.56.260. In comparison, the

defendant in Esparza failed to provide any notice regarding its intent to seek periodic payments

until after the jury had returned its verdict, which included a lump sum award for future

economic damages. 103 Wn. App. at 921.

       Further, the Burkes’ expert was able to address the present value of LB’s future economic

damages. And the trial court instructed the jury that “[a]ny award for future economic damages

must be for the present cash value of those damages.” CP at 2156. “Present cash value” was

defined as “the sum of money needed now which, if invested at a reasonable rate of return,

would equal the amount of loss at the time in the future when the expenses must be paid or the

earnings would have been received.” CP at 2156. Instruction number 20 further instructed the

jury to apply the rate of interest as the “rate which in your judgment is reasonable under all the

circumstances.” CP at 2156. In Esparza, there apparently was no expert testimony regarding

present value and the jury was not instructed on discounting future damages to present value.

103 Wn. App. at 944.

       The better course of action may have been for JHC to reiterate its previously stated intent

to request periodic payments at the beginning of trial or at least before the Burks’ economic

expert testified. However, Dr. DeKay testified at length about the present value of future

economic damages anyway.

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        We conclude that JHC gave the Burkes and the trial court sufficient notice of its intent to

request periodic payments under RCW 4.56.260.

        3.      Submission of Periodic Payment Proposal

        The Burkes argue that JHC waived its right to request periodic payments because it did

not submit a proposal for a periodic payment plan before judgment was entered. This argument

is incorrect.

        RCW 4.56.260(2) plainly states that “[p]rior to entry of judgment, the court shall request

each party to submit a proposal for periodic payment of future economic damages to compensate

the claimant.” (Emphasis added.) Therefore, a party technically does not need to provide a

proposal for periodic payment when it notifies the other party and the court of its intent to seek

periodic payment under RCW 4.56.260. Instead, a periodic payment proposal need only be

submitted after the trial court requests one.

        We conclude that JHC did not waive its right to request periodic payments under RCW

4.56.260 by not submitting a proposal for a periodic payment plan before judgment was entered.

        4.      Failure to Object to Judgment

        The Burkes argue that JHC waived its right to request periodic payments because it did

not object to the judgment on the verdict that the trial court entered without a provision for

periodic payments for future economic damages. This argument is incorrect.

        The plain language of RCW 4.56.260(1) and (2) contemplates that a defendant will

request periodic payments before entry of judgment. RCW 4.56.260(1) states that a trial court

must include periodic payments in the judgment when a party requests it. And RCW 4.56.260(2)

requires the court to request proposals for periodic payments before entry of judgment.

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         Here, JHC allowed the trial court to enter a judgment on the verdict that did not include

periodic payments. JHC certainly should have raised RCW 4.56.260 before entry of the

judgment and requested that the court follow the procedure set forth in RCW 4.56.260(2).

         However, CR 59(h) allows a party to file a motion to amend a judgment within 10 days

after the judgment was entered. CR 59(h) does not state that a party is required to object to entry

of the judgment in order to file a motion to amend, and the Burkes do not argue otherwise. In

addition, the Burkes do not argue that CR 59(h) did not authorize the trial court’s amendment of

the judgment here. In fact, the Burkes do not mention CR 59(h) at all.

         We conclude that JHC did not waive its right to request periodic payments under RCW

4.56.260 by not objecting to entry of the original judgment.

         5.   Summary

         We hold that the trial court did not err when it granted JHC’s motion to amend judgment

to provide for periodic payments regarding future economic damages. On remand, the trial court

must follow the procedure outlined in RCW 4.56.260(2). The trial court’s periodic payment plan

must reflect the fact that LB’s future economic damages already have been reduced to present

value.

H.       CONSTITUTIONALITY OF RCW 4.56.260

         The Burkes argue in the alternative that JHC cannot seek periodic payments under RCW

4.56.260 because it is unconstitutional on its face. This argument is incorrect.

         1.   Standard of Review

         “Whether a statute is constitutional is a question of law that we review de novo.” Afoa v.

Dep’t of Labor & Indus., 3 Wn. App. 2d 794, 804, 418 P.3d 190 (2018). A statute is presumed

constitutional, and if possible, we will construe an enactment so as to render it constitutional.

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No. 54598-5-II

Kitsap County v. Kitsap Rifle & Revolver Club, 1 Wn. App. 2d 393, 413, 405 P.3d 1026 (2017).

The party challenging an enactment has the burden of showing beyond a reasonable doubt that it

is unconstitutional. Afoa, 3 Wn. App. 2d at 804.

       2.   Jurisdictional Requirement of RCW 7.24.110

       Initially, JHC argues that the Burkes have failed to preserve their constitutional

challenges to RCW 4.56.260 because they failed to serve the attorney general with a copy of

their proceedings as required by RCW 7.24.110. We disagree.

       RCW 7.24.110 states, “When declaratory relief is sought, all persons shall be made

parties who have or claim any interest which would be affected by the declaration, and no

declaration shall prejudice the rights of persons not parties to the proceeding.” (Emphasis

added.) The statutory requirement to notify the attorney general only applies when an action is

brought under the Declaratory Judgment Act. See Watson v. Washington Preferred Life Ins. Co.,

81 Wn.2d 403, 407-08, 502 P.2d 1016 (1972).

       Here, the Burkes’ action for damages originated as a tort claim against JHC. They are

challenging the constitutionality of RCW 4.56.260 in an appeal, and as a result, RCW 7.24.110 is

inapplicable here. A party is not expected to serve the attorney general every time a

constitutional challenge to a statute is raised. See Watson, 81 Wn.2d at 407-08. And all the

cases that JHC cites to were brought under the Uniform Declaratory Judgment Act. Therefore,

we consider the Burkes’ constitutional challenge.

       3.   Right to Jury Trial

       The Burkes argue that RCW 4.56.260 violates their right to a jury trial because it requires

the trial court to make factual determinations regarding the jury’s award of future economic

damages and to substantially alter the jury’s award. This argument is incorrect.

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No. 54598-5-II

        Article I, section 21 of the Washington Constitution states that “[t]he right of trial by jury

shall remain inviolate.” The term “inviolate” means that the right of trial by jury deserves the

highest protection. Davis v. Cox, 183 Wn.2d 269, 288, 351 P.3d 862 (2015), abrogated on other

grounds by Maytown Sand & Gravel, LLC v. Thurston County, 191 Wn.2d 392, 423 P.3d 223

(2018). “At its core, the right of trial by jury guarantees litigants the right to have a jury resolve

questions of disputed material facts.” Id. at 289. This includes the measure of damages. Sofie v.

Fibreboard Corp., 112 Wn.2d 636, 645, 771 P.2d 711 (1989). However, the right of trial by jury

is not limitless. Davis, 183 Wn.2d at 289.

        RCW 4.56.260 has no effect on the amount of damages awarded by the jury. Nor does

RCW 4.56.260 dictate how the jury should compute the amount of damages to be awarded, such

as whether the award should be at present cash value with inflation, present cash value without

inflation, or what interest rate should apply. The jury makes the factual determination as to how

to fairly compensate an injured plaintiff for future economic damages. RCW 4.56.260 only

determines the manner in which injured plaintiffs will receive a portion of their judgment. And

unlike in Sofie, where the Supreme Court held that RCW 4.56.250 was unconstitutional for

placing a limit on recoverable noneconomic damages in violation of the right to a jury trial, 112

Wn.2d at 638, the plain language of RCW 4.56.260 does not impose a cap on damages available

to an injured plaintiff.

        The Burkes raise a number of arguments for the first time in their reply brief regarding

RCW 4.56.260(4). But we need not consider arguments that are raised for the first time in a

reply brief. Winter v. Dep’t of Soc. & Health Servs. on behalf of Winter, 12 Wn. App. 2d 815,

842, 460 P.3d 667, review denied, 196 Wn.2d 1025 (2020).

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         Accordingly, we conclude that RCW 4.56.260 does not violate the Burkes’ right to a jury

trial.

         4.    Separation of Powers

         The Burkes argue that RCW 4.56.260 violates the separation of powers doctrine because

the legislature cannot dictate to the courts how judgments on jury verdicts should be entered.

This argument is incorrect.

         “The separation of powers doctrine arises out of ‘the constitutional distribution of the

government’s authority into three branches.’ ” Port of Seattle v. Pollution Control Hr’gs Bd.,

151 Wn.2d 568, 625, 90 P.3d 659 (2004) (quoting State v. Moreno, 147 Wn.2d 500, 505, 58 P.3d

265 (2002)). Although the separation of powers doctrine creates a clear distinction between each

branch of government and their respective functions, the legislative, executive, and judicial

branches themselves are not “ ‘hermetically sealed off from one another.’ ” Colvin v. Inslee, 195

Wn.2d 879, 891, 467 P.3d 953 (2020) (quoting Carrick v. Locke, 125 Wn.2d 129, 135, 882 P.2d

173 (1994)).

         The Burkes’ separation of powers argument assumes that the legislature necessarily

encroaches into the judiciary’s domain when a statute details the means by which the trial court

should enter judgment. The Burkes apparently allege that the legislature has eliminated a trial

court’s discretion in RCW 4.56.260 by requiring a judgment to provide for periodic payments

upon a party’s request. However, when RCW 4.56.260 is properly applied, the trial court simply

is fashioning the method by which the injured plaintiff will receive his or her total future

economic damages. And the court retains discretion with respect to which proposal for periodic

payment should be adopted after the jury has already considered various factors related to

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No. 54598-5-II

computing a fair and just award of future economic damages. Therefore, RCW 4.56.260 does

not violate the separation of powers doctrine.

       The Burkes argue for the first time in their reply brief that the legislature’s determination

that a trial court must enter periodic payments upon request under certain circumstances is

equivalent to a legal conclusion, citing to Sofie, 112 Wn.2d 654 and City of Tacoma v. O’Brien,

85 Wn.2d 266, 271-72, 534 P.2d 114 (1975). However, we need not consider any arguments

raised for the first time in a reply brief. Winter, 12 Wn. App. 2d at 842. Regardless, instructing

the trial court to provide for periodic payments in the final judgment is not the equivalent of a

legal conclusion. RCW 4.56.260 only impacts the way that certain future economic damages are

distributed. And both Sofie and O’Brien are distinguishable from or inapplicable to this case.

       Accordingly, we conclude that the Burkes failed to show that RCW 4.56.260 violates the

separation of powers doctrine.

       5.    Right to Equal Protection

       The Burkes argue that RCW 4.56.260 violates the right to equal protection because the

statute discriminates between severely injured plaintiffs and less severely injured plaintiffs. This

argument is incorrect.

       The equal protection clause of article I, section 12 of the Washington Constitution, and

the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution require that similarly situated

persons receive the same treatment. White v. Qwest Corp., 15 Wn. App. 2d 365, 373, 478 P.3d

96 (2020), review denied, 197 Wn.2d 1014 (2021).

       If no fundamental right is being infringed and no suspect class is involved, as here, we

apply the rational basis standard of review to an equal protection challenge. Id. Under this

standard, a statue does not violate equal protection if “(1) it applies alike to all members within

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the designated class, (2) reasonable grounds exist to support the classification, and (3) the

classification bears a rational relationship to the purpose of the legislation.” Id.

       The Burkes identify the relevant class as injured plaintiffs who obtain verdicts for future

economic damages, and argue that RCW 4.56.260 treats members of the same class differently

because only plaintiffs who are awarded at least $100,000 in future economic damages are

subject to periodic payment modifications. As a result of this classification, the Burkes claim

that RCW 4.56.260 violates their right to equal protection.

       However, a rational basis exists for the $100,000 threshold. One reason for requiring

periodic payments is to relieve the burden on defendants who otherwise might have to make

large lump sum payments for future economic damages. That concern is not as significant for

smaller economic damage awards. In addition, RCW 4.56.260 was enacted as part of the 1986

Tort Reform Act, and one purpose of that legislation was to “reduce costs associated with the tort

system.” LAWS OF 1986, ch. 305, §§ 100, 801. Periodic payments arguably reduce costs for

defendants. But again, the reduction in costs is not significant for smaller economic damage

awards.

       We conclude that the Burkes failed to show that RCW 4.56.260 violates their right to

equal protection.

                                           CONCLUSION

       We affirm the trial court’s original judgment on jury verdict and affirm the trial court’s

order granting JHC’s motion to amend the judgment to provide for periodic payments of future

economic damages under RCW 4.56.260.

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No. 54598-5-II

        A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW

2.06.040, it is so ordered.

                                                      MAXA, P.J.

 We concur:

CRUSER, J.

VELJACIC, J.

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