Court Opinion

ID: 9717881
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 07:12:02.854802+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:13:49.152130
License: Public Domain

WUEST, Chief Justice
(dissenting).
I dissent. In my opinion there is not sufficient evidence in the record to infer the claimed negligence of the hospital was a proximate or contributing cause of Scoblic’s death.
It is well-settled law in South Dakota that negligence in medical malpractice cases must be established by the testimony of medical experts unless the subject of the testimony is “within the common knowledge and comprehension of persons possessed of ordinary education, experience and opportunity.” Magbuhat v. Kovarik, 382 N.W.2d 43, 46 (S.D.1986). See Carlsen v. Javurek, 526 F.2d 202, 207-08 (8th Cir.1975); Appeal of Schramm, 414 N.W.2d 31, 36 (S.D.1987); Van Zee v. Sioux Valley Hospital, 315 N.W.2d 489, 492 (S.D.1982); Block v. McVay, 80 S.D. 469, 474, 126 N.W.2d 808, 810 (1964) (overruled in part on other grounds in Shamburger v. Behrens, 380 N.W.2d 659 (S.D.1986)); Hansen v. Isaak, 70 S.D. 529, 533, 19 N.W.2d 521, 522-23 (1945); Myrlie v. Hill, 58 S.D. 330, 336-337, 236 N.W. 287, 290 (1931); Kelley v. Hollingsworth, 44 S.D. 23, 29, 181 N.W. 959, 961 (1921). The expert testimony requirement applies not only when establishing alleged deviations from the standard of care, it also applies when proving the essential element of causation. Lohr v. Watson, 68 S.D. 298, 2 N.W.2d 6 (1942). See Podio v. American Colloid Co., 83 S.D. 528, 162 N.W.2d 385 (1968); Howe v. Farmers Cooperative Creamery of Madison, 81 S.D. 207, 132 N.W.2d 844 (1965); Campbell v. City of Chamberlain, 78 S.D. 245, 100 N.W.2d 707 (1960); Annot., 13 A.L.R.2d 11, 31 (1950); 61 Am.Jur.2d, Physicians and Surgeons § 348 (1981).
Here, while plaintiff proffered expert testimony arguably establishing a potential deviation from the standard of care, plaintiff has not offered any testimony, expert or otherwise, substantiating a causal relation between the alleged breach of duty by the hospital and Mrs. Scoblic’s ultimate injuries. Mrs. Scoblic died of multiple organ failure brought on by “medically unmanageable” sepsis. Given the nature and *607complexity of the diagnostic tests and surgical procedures performed, the magnitude of complications which could arise, the number of actors involved, and the vast array of factors which may have contributed to Mrs. Scoblic’s failing condition, it cannot be said that laymen, unassisted by the aid of medical and scientific knowledge, would be qualified to determine the proximate cause of Mrs. Scoblic’s death.