FERGEN ESTATE v. SESTERO (2013)

PUBLISHED OPINION

¶ 1 Dani Fergen appeals the defense verdict in her medical negligence action against John D. Sestero, M.D. and Spokane Internal Medicine, P.S. (collectively Dr. Sestero). She contends the trial court erred by instructing the jury on a physician's “exercise of judgment”¹ because the instruction lacks substantial evidence. We disagree and decline Ms. Fergen's invitation to revise or abandon the standard instruction. Accordingly, we affirm.

FACTS

¶ 2 In November 2004, Paul Fergen found a lump on his right ankle causing him minor discomfort. He consulted Dr. Sestero regarding the lump the next week. In his chart notes, Dr. Sestero described the lump as a “slight nodule” that was “smooth, soft, and nontender” but presented “no other erythema, swelling, or other abnormalities.” Ex. 1A. Dr. Sestero tentatively diagnosed the lump as a benign ganglion cyst, ordered an x-ray of the ankle to ensure no structural defects, referred Mr. Fergen to an orthopedic specialist, and instructed him to follow-up as necessary. The radiologist noted “some soft tissue swelling” and stated, “If a soft tissue cyst is felt an ultrasound might be of help.” Ex. 3. Dr. Sestero told Mr. Fergen the x-ray results were “negative” and encouraged him to seek medical attention if the lump grew bigger or became painful. Report of Proceedings at 1212–13, 1834–35. Mr. Fergen had a seizure 13 months later. Pathologists eventually diagnosed him with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer that originated in the lump on his ankle and metastasized to his lungs, brain, and lymph nodes. Mr. Fergen died in January 2007.

¶ 3 Ms. Fergen sued Dr. Sestero for medical negligence on behalf of Mr. Fergen's estate and the couple's minor children. At trial, Dr. Sestero testified he considered malignancy in deciding Mr. Fergen's lump was most likely a benign ganglion cyst. His expert witnesses testified he faced a choice between at least two differential medical diagnoses, one very likely and one very unlikely, and he acted within the standard of care in choosing a tentative diagnosis. The trial court instructed the jury, based on WPI 105.08² and over Ms. Fergen's objection, regarding a physician's exercise of judgment:

A physician is not liable for selecting one of two or more alternative diagnoses, if, in arriving at a diagnosis a physician exercised reasonable care and skill within the standard of care the physician was obligated to follow.

Clerk's Papers at 3198. The jury returned a defense verdict. Ms. Fergen appealed.

ANALYSIS

¶ 4 The issue is whether the trial court erred by instructing the jury on a physician's exercise of judgment. Ms. Fergen contends the instruction lacks substantial evidence because the record shows Dr. Sestero considered solely whether Mr. Fergen's lump was a benign ganglion cyst. She characterizes this as a singular medical diagnosis, as opposed to a conscious choice between differential medical diagnoses. Additionally, Ms. Fergen contends the instruction prejudiced her by injecting collateral issues and evidentiary comments, causing jury confusion and speculation.

¶ 5 We review a decision on whether to give an exercise of judgment instruction for abuse of discretion.³ Seattle W. Indus., Inc. v. David A. Mowat Co., 110 Wash.2d 1, 9, 750 P.2d 245 (1988); Thomas v. Wilfac, Inc., 65 Wash.App. 255, 264, 828 P.2d 597 (1992). If a party's case theory lacks substantial evidence, a trial court must not instruct the jury on it. Albin v. Nat'l Bank of Commerce of Seattle, 60 Wash.2d 745, 754, 375 P.2d 487 (1962); State v. Hughes, 106 Wash.2d 176, 191, 721 P.2d 902 (1986). The converse is true as well. Kelsey v. Pollock, 59 Wash.2d 796, 798–99, 370 P.2d 598 (1962); Cooper's Mobile Homes, Inc. v. Simmons, 94 Wash.2d 321, 327, 617 P.2d 415 (1980). In this context, evidence supporting a party's case theory “must rise above speculation and conjecture” to be substantial. Bd. of Regents of Univ. of Wash. v. Frederick & Nelson, 90 Wash.2d 82, 86, 579 P.2d 346 (1978). In other contexts, evidence is substantial if a “sufficient quantum [exists] to persuade a fair-minded person of the truth of the declared premise.” Holland v. Boeing Co., 90 Wash.2d 384, 390–91, 583 P.2d 621 (1978).

¶ 6 In a medical negligence case, a trial court may, “with caution,” instruct the jury on a physician's exercise of judgment if the evidence shows the physician was “confronted with a choice among competing therapeutic techniques or among medical diagnoses” and, “in arriving at a judgment, the physician ․ exercised reasonable care and skill, within the standard of care he or she was obliged to follow.” Watson v. Hockett, 107 Wash.2d 158, 165, 727 P.2d 669 (1986) (internal quotation marks and alteration omitted); see also 6 Washington Practice: Washington Pattern Jury Instructions: Civil 105.08 note on use at 612 (6th ed.2012).

¶ 7 Here, Dr. Sestero testified he considered malignancy in deciding Mr. Fergen's lump was most likely a benign ganglion cyst. His expert witnesses testified he faced a choice between at least two differential medical diagnoses because Mr, Fergen's lump was necessarily either benign, which was very likely, or malignant, which was very unlikely. And, his expert witnesses testified that, in his diagnostic process, Dr. Sestero exercised reasonable care and skill within the standard of care because he examined the lump, considered its history, ordered an x-ray of the ankle to ensure no structural defects, referred Mr. Fergen to an orthopedic specialist, and instructed him to follow-up as necessary. This evidence rises above speculation and conjecture, and is a sufficient quantum to persuade a fair-minded person that Dr. Sestero's mere failure to produce a good medical result was not medical negligence. Therefore, substantial evidence supports his case theory and the trial court did not abuse its discretion by instructing the jury on a physician's exercise of judgment.

¶ 8 Ms. Fergen invites us to limit the exercise of judgment instruction to circumstances where a physician “consciously selected between competing alternative diagnoses or treatments.” Br. of Appellants at 18. Ms. Fergen alternatively invites us to abandon the instruction “as incorrect and harmful.” Br, of Appellants at 24 n. 14. Honoring stare decisis principles, we decline Ms. Fergen's invitations, deferring to our Supreme Court the task of redefining when the instruction should apply, if at all. See Ezell v. Hutson, 105 Wash.App. 485, 491, 20 P.3d 975 (this division adhering to binding Supreme Court precedent on the former error of judgment instruction despite concerns), review denied, 144 Wash.2d 1011, 31 P.3d 1185 (2001).

¶ 9 In sum, we hold the trial court did not err by instructing the jury on a physician's exercise of judgment. Considering our analysis, we do not reach Ms. Fergen's prejudice contentions.

¶ 10 Affirmed.

BROWN, J.

WE CONCUR: KORSMO, C.J., and KULIK, J.