APPLEYARD v. Vassar Brothers Hospital et al., Defendants. (2023)

Order, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Elizabeth A. Taylor, J.), entered September 30, 2021, which denied defendants Russell G. Tigges and Orthopedic Associates of Dutchess County, P.C.’s motion to set aside the jury verdict, unanimously modified, on the law and the facts, to dismiss Tigges from the action and to vacate the past pain and suffering award of $3 million and direct a new trial solely on the issue of damages for past pain and suffering, unless, within 30 days of service of this order with notice of entry, plaintiff stipulates to a reduced award of $500,000, and otherwise affirmed, without costs.  The Clerk is directed to enter judgment dismissing the complaint against Dr. Tigges.

The jury's determination that Dr. Stuart Feinstein was not negligent was not against the weight of the evidence.  Although the parties’ experts agreed that Dr. Feinstein departed from the standard of care, they disagreed as to what conduct constituted the departure.  Thus the cases relied upon by defendants are inapplicable (see Yac v. County of Suffolk, 205 A.D.3d 764, 766, 169 N.Y.S.3d 86 [2d Dept. 2022] [jury's determination opposite to unrebutted testimony of expert];  Reilly v. Ninia, 81 A.D.3d 913, 915–917, 917 N.Y.S.2d 652 [2d Dept. 2011];  [the defendant's expert's testimony rejected as conclusions reached based on facts not in the record];  Wojcik v. Kent, 21 A.D.3d 1410, 1412, 801 N.Y.S.2d 451 [4th Dept. 2005] [jury disregarded opinions of the medical experts];  Calderon v. Irani, 296 A.D.2d 778, 778–779, 745 N.Y.S.2d 610 [3d Dept. 2002] [jury's findings inconsistent and contrary to unrebutted expert];  Baker v. Shepard, 276 A.D.2d 873, 875–876, 715 N.Y.S.2d 83 [3d Dept. 2000] [jury failed to consider the testimony of the only expert medical evidence presented at the trial];  Prescott v. Le Blanc, 247 A.D.2d 802, 803, 669 N.Y.S.2d 432 [3d Dept. 1998] [jury disregarded the plaintiff's experts’ uncontroverted opinion];  Darrow v. Lavancha, 169 A.D.2d 965, 966, 564 N.Y.S.2d 861 [3d Dept. 1991] [jury's verdict contrary to testimony of both parties’ experts who were in complete agreement]).

The jury's determination that Orthopedic Associates of Dutchess County, P.C. (OADC) employee Physician Assistant Daniel Caputo's departure from the standard of care was a proximate cause of plaintiff's injuries was supported by legally sufficient evidence and was not against the weight of the evidence.  The parties’ experts offered conflicting opinions regarding whether Caputo's failure to immediately act on plaintiff's abnormal bloodwork was a substantial factor in causing her renal failure.  Such a “competing opinion that the delay in treatment diminished plaintiff's chance of a better outcome was sufficient to raise an issue of fact as to proximate cause” (Hernandez v. New York City Health & Hosp. Corp., 129 A.D.3d 532, 532, 11 N.Y.S.3d 588 [1st Dept. 2015]).  Defendants’ assertion that, even if Caputo had immediately alerted Dr. Feinstein, Dr. Feinstein would have delayed taking appropriate corrective action until the following day, when it was undisputedly too late, is unduly speculative.  At any rate, evidence was presented that Caputo could also have taken such actions himself.

Defendant Russell G. Tigges may not, however, be held vicariously liable for the actions of Caputo.  It is undisputed that Dr. Tigges was not involved in plaintiff's treatment during her admission, notwithstanding that he was often listed as the attending physician on her chart (see Latiff v. Wyckoff Hgts. Hosp., 144 A.D.2d 650, 651, 535 N.Y.S.2d 2 [2d Dept. 1988]).  He was also not liable for Caputo's conduct pursuant to Department of Health Regulations (10 NYCRR) § 94.2 or Business Corporation Law § 1505(a).  There is no indication that Dr. Tigges, and not another of the doctors at OADC, was the doctor supervising Caputo at the time in question (see 10 NYCRR § 94.2[a], [f];  Business Corporation Law § 1505[a];  M.L. v. Panza, 63 Misc.3d 1225[A], 2019 WL 2041720, *3 [Sup. Ct., Suffolk County 2019]).  It is not enough that Caputo was employed by a professional service corporation of which Dr. Tigges was a shareholder (see Hill v. St. Clare's Hosp., 67 N.Y.2d 72, 79, 499 N.Y.S.2d 904, 490 N.E.2d 823 [1986];  Engelbart v. Schachter, 235 A.D.2d 387, 388, 652 N.Y.S.2d 80 [2d Dept. 1997];  Connell v. Hayden, 83 A.D.2d 30, 58–59, 443 N.Y.S.2d 383 [2d Dept. 1981]).

We find that the $3 million jury award deviates materially from what would be reasonable compensation and should be reduced as indicated (see generally CPLR 5501[c];  Donlon v. City of New York, 284 A.D.2d 13, 18, 727 N.Y.S.2d 94 [1st Dept. 2001]).Although none of the cases relied on by the parties are squarely on point, the subject award is well outside the range of awards in all of these cases (see Midler v. Crane, 67 A.D.3d 569, 570–571, 576, 889 N.Y.S.2d 149 [1st Dept. 2009], revd on other grounds by 14 N.Y.3d 877, 903 N.Y.S.2d 334, 929 N.E.2d 397 [2010];  Morales v. Heron, 250 A.D.2d 408, 408–409, 673 N.Y.S.2d 88 [1st Dept. 1998];  Arciola v. State of New York, 2011 N.Y. Slip Op 52552[U], *7–8 [Ct Cl 2011]).  To the extent plaintiff relies on cases involving wrongful deaths and the accompanying “apprehension of impending death,” such reliance is misplaced (see Matter of 91st St. Crane Collapse Litig., 154 A.D.3d 139, 153, 62 N.Y.S.3d 11 [1st Dept. 2017]).