Court Opinion

ID: 9497937
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 17:04:13.062079+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:58:31.139258
License: Public Domain

MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD,
Circuit Judge, concurring in part and dissenting in part.
I concur in the court’s opinion except with respect to the preservice dismissal of the claims against Dr. Maire. Mr. Finnegan alleged that Dr. Maire was not qualified as an oral surgeon, that he failed to recognize he had punctured an artery, and that, despite Mr. Finnegan’s extensive bleeding, Dr. Maire merely sutured and covered the area where he had removed two teeth. Mr. Finnegan also alleged that his bleeding was not controlled until he was taken to a local hospital, and that he was eventually transferred to another hospital where he required a blood transfusion, and a CT scan revealed a “hemorrhaged sinus artery.” I believe that these pro se complaint allegations could be construed as claiming Dr. Maire’s treatment so deviated from the applicable standard of care as to evidence deliberate indifference, see Moore v. Duffy, 255 F.3d 543, 545 (8th Cir.2001) (whether significant departure from professional standards occurred is often factual question necessitating expert opinion for resolution), and that it was improper to dismiss Dr. Maire at this stage in the litigation, see Atkinson v. Bohn, 91 F.3d 1127, 1128-29 (8th Cir.1996) (per curiam) (complaint should not be dismissed for failure to state claim unless it is clear plaintiff can prove no set of facts supporting his claim which would entitle him to relief; pro se complaints must be liberally construed). I would therefore reverse the judgment as to Dr. Maire and remand for service of the complaint on him.