Sanchez v. Scripps Health CA4/1 (2015) · DecisionDepot
Sanchez v. Scripps Health CA4/1
California Court of Appeal Dec 8, 2015 No. D066005Unpublished
Filed 12/8/15 Sanchez v. Scripps Health CA4/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
JANIS SANCHEZ et al., D066005
Plaintiffs and Appellants,
v. (Super. Ct. No. 37-2011-00087471- CU-MM-CTL) SCRIPPS HEALTH,
Defendant and Respondent.
APPEAL from a judgment and postjudgment orders of the Superior Court of San
Diego County, Kevin A. Enright, Judge. Affirmed.
Hoyt E. Hart II, for Plaintiffs and Appellants.
Higgs, Fletcher & Mack, John Morris, William M. Low, and Kathryn A. Martin
for Defendant and Respondent.
Janis and George Sanchez (collectively, the Sanchezes)1 appeal from a judgment
following a jury verdict in favor of Scripps Health (Scripps), doing business as Scripps
Mercy Hospital, on their complaint for professional negligence and medical battery and a
postjudgment order denying them judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) or, in
the alternative, a new trial. They also appeal from a postjudgment order awarding
Scripps costs under Code of Civil Procedure section 998.2 We affirm the judgment and
In March 2010, medical evaluations revealed a valve in Janis's heart was leaking.
Cardiac surgeon John Jeffrey Tyner met with Janis and her husband George to discuss
surgery and potential risks and recommended she provide two pints of blood. In early
April 2010, Janis signed a form titled "Blood Transfusion, Patient and Physician
Acknowledgment of Consent" (hereafter the April 1 form), indicating she received
1 For purposes of clarity we refer to Janis and George by their first names. We intend no disrespect.
2 All subsequent statutory references are to the Code of Civil Procedure unless otherwise noted.
3 In accordance with our substantial evidence review here (see standard of review discussion post), we "view the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing party" and discuss conflicting evidence only when relevant to the Sanchezes' appeal. (People ex rel. Brown v. Tri-Union Seafoods LLC (2009) 171 Cal.App.4th 1549, 1567 (Brown).)
2
information about blood options and transfusions, including possible posttransfusion
problems.
On April 29, 2010, Janis was admitted to Scripps for the surgery, which Dr. Tyner
performed. During the surgery, Janis received systemic heparin, a blood thinner, to
prevent clotting in the catheter and heart-lung machine used in the procedure. She
received a drug called protamine at the end of the surgery to reverse the effects of the
heparin. On the form for postoperative orders, Dr. Tyner checked a box indicating "No
Heparin at any time." Nurse Donna Serrano-Myers cared for Janis postsurgery.
Janis's condition began to deteriorate in the days after the surgery. By May 1, she
was retaining fluids, including in the lungs. The doctors ordered diuretics to reduce the
fluids. She also had a lower platelet count, so Dr. Tyner ordered an ELISA test to look
for heparin antibodies. Heparin can lead to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), in
which a heparin antibody forms and causes thrombocytopenia, or low platelet count. 4
Janis's ELISA test results were negative.
By May 4, Janis was experiencing renal failure, among other medical issues. Dr.
Theodore Thomas, a kidney specialist, recommended dialysis. Dr. Tyner inserted a
dialysis catheter known as a vascath, which had two ports or "dwells." Dr. Thomas
ordered heparin to be placed in the dwells at the end of the dialysis treatment, to prevent
blood clotting in the catheter. Nurse Myers was on shift when the heparin was due to be
4 HIT may be accompanied by thrombosis, or blood clots, and then is referred to as HITT. Thrombocytopenia has many causes besides HIT. We note the facts regarding Janis's platelet counts and HIT to the extent relevant to her appellate contentions. Whether Janis actually had HIT is not before us. 3
given, but could not do so because the heparin amount was omitted from the order.
Nurse Dorothy DeGuzman, who relieved her, obtained clarification of the amounts (1.3
millimeters in one dwell, and 1.4 in the other) and placed the heparin in the dwells.
On May 5, Dr. Thomas determined Janis required daily dialysis and again ordered
heparin in the dwells. She also had other significant medical concerns, reflecting multi-
system failure. The attending physician ordered a platelet transfusion, which Nurse
DeGuzman performed.
On the morning of May 6, doctors discovered Dr. Tyner mistakenly had inserted
Janis's catheter into an artery, rather than a vein, because her blood pressure was
sufficiently low the artery looked like a vein. A vascular surgeon removed the catheter
with Dr. Tyner's assistance. In his postoperation transfer order, Dr. Tyner ordered
heparin in the dwells. Janis's kidney failure persisted, dialysis continued, and George
signed a written dialysis consent.
On May 7, Janis still was experiencing kidney failure and remained on dialysis.
Dr. Thomas ordered heparin in the dwells for the last time and then discontinued heparin
later that day. He changed to citrate because Janis was going to be receiving a permacath
(a different kind of catheter) and he needed her blood clotting numbers normal, so he
wanted to minimize the possibility of heparin interacting with the blood system. George
signed a consent form for the permacath placement. In addition, the attending physician
ordered another platelet transfusion, which Nurse Ani Sekayan performed.
Janis's condition improved, but it was evident to the doctors she would lose her
feet and fingers and they eventually became gangrenous. She underwent bilateral below-
4
knee amputation at the end of May and amputation of her left ring and long fingers a few
weeks later. She was discharged in June 2010. On June 17, 2010, Dr. Tyner dictated a
transfer summary of her case. Among other observations, he noted that postsurgery "she
[had] a lower platelet count . . . a heparin antibody was sent on May 1st and all heparin
was removed and discontinued."
In March 2011, Janis and George filed suit against Scripps and other defendants.
They subsequently filed a first amended complaint, claiming professional negligence,
primarily in connection with the use of heparin, and medical battery arising from an
alleged lack of consent for certain dialysis and platelet transfusion sessions.5
On April 24, 2013, Scripps made an offer to compromise under section 998,
seeking dismissal with prejudice in exchange for the parties bearing their own fees and
costs. The Sanchezes did not take the offer. In June 2013 Scripps provided its expert
designation, identifying seven retained experts and nearly 30 nonretained experts; it
supplemented this list in July 2013 with three additional retained experts. On August 1,
2013, Scripps made another section 998 offer to the Sanchezes, again proposing a fee and
cost waiver. The Sanchezes rejected the second offer as well.
The case proceeded to trial against Scripps.6 To support their negligence claims,
the Sanchezes presented registered nurse Davina Leary as an expert witness on nursing
standards. Nurse Leary interpreted Dr. Tyner's June 17 transfer summary statement
5 George also alleged a cause of action for loss of consortium, but that claim is not at issue in this appeal.
6 The parties represent the other defendants won summary judgment on statute of limitations grounds or settled. 5
about Janis's low platelet count and all heparin being discontinued as reflecting that, as of
May 1, he wanted heparin removed due to the platelet issues and his postoperative no-
heparin order therefore remained in effect. She then found the no-heparin order and
heparin in the dwells order were in conflict. She opined the standard of care required the
nurses to resolve that conflict with the doctors and they failed to do so.
In response to Nurse Leary, Scripps presented the expert testimony of Dr. Charles
Landers, a specialist in internal medicine with a subspecialty in critical care. He testified
there was no conflict between the heparin orders, as Dr. Tyner's order was understood to
apply to postoperative systemic heparin, and the standard of care did not require
clarification by the nurses. Dr. Landers further opined about the circumstances reflecting
the absence of a conflict at the time of the later heparin order, including the deterioration
in Janis's condition and the doctors' collaboration in her care.
The doctors and nurses who treated Janis also testified. Dr. Tyner confirmed his
no-heparin order concerned postsurgery systemic heparin and his intent was to avoid
large amounts of heparin in Janis's system. He explained he was not concerned with
small amounts of heparin in the dwells and would have agreed with Dr. Thomas's order
had the nurses called him. Dr. Thomas clarified the distinction between systemic heparin
and heparin in the dwells, explaining heparin in the dwells is "just to sit there in the port.
It's not to go anywhere." Nurse Myers testified she interpreted Dr. Tyner's no-heparin
order as a routine request to avoid systemic heparin for 24 to 48 hours postsurgery and
viewed the circumstances for the heparin in the dwells order as "completely different."
As a result, she did not view them as conflicting and did not pass the no-heparin order
6
onward to Nurse DeGuzman. Nurse DeGuzman also testified she did not think the orders
were in conflict, and Nurses Ani Sekayan and Sue Allard, who assisted in Janis's care,
agreed.7
For the battery claim, the parties stipulated there was no written consent for
dialysis prior to May 6. George testified he was aware Janis was fluid overloaded and
they needed to reduce the fluid; he recalled Dr. Tyner told him they would need to do
something else besides drugs to do that, although he did not use the word dialysis.
George understood the dialysis process removed fluid from Janis, what the dialysis
machine was (and that this was its purpose), and that it was essential to her survival. He
never questioned the use of dialysis to either Dr. Tyner or Dr. Thomas. He also recalled
Dr. Tyner told him about the need to insert a catheter.
Dr. Tyner testified he spoke with George daily and probably several times per day,
especially as the situation became more difficult. He viewed Janis as being at risk of
dying and felt dialysis had to be done right away. Although it was not his role to obtain
consent for dialysis, he testified it would have been his standard to explain that it was
necessary to remove fluid and dialysis was the only means. George never told him he
was opposed to dialysis. Dr. Tyner recalled he did speak with George about the vascath
and felt there was consent for that. As for Dr. Thomas, he testified he spoke with George
on several occasions, including about Janis's need for dialysis. He too felt Janis was at
risk of dying; he viewed dialysis as an emergency procedure and stated it would have
7 Although Nurse DeGuzman did not testify in person at the trial, her deposition testimony was read to the jury. 7
been unreasonable to wait for affirmative approval to proceed. He initially testified he
did not recall or think he obtained consent for dialysis on May 4 and did not remember if
he did so on May 5 or May 6; he subsequently recalled he could not get in touch with
George.
Nurse Leary opined there was no documented informed consent for three dialysis
treatments. Dr. Landers found George was fully aware Janis was receiving dialysis and
had no reason to think he objected to it. He further noted dialysis was commenced in
connection with efforts to save Janis's life.
With respect to the platelet transfusions, George testified Dr. Tyner recommended
Janis provide blood, but did not mention blood transfusions. Dr. Tyner testified he did
inform the Sanchezes there could be a need for a blood transfusion. Nurse DeGuzman,
who performed the May 5 transfusion, explained her practice was to check for a consent
and the records showed Janis had one (although she could not recall whether the
particular form would constitute informed consent). Nurse Sekayan, who carried out the
May 7 transfusion, recalled there was a consent in Janis's chart and said she would not
have sought further consent except at physician direction. As for the experts, Nurse
Leary testified the April 1 form did not suffice for the postsurgery transfusions, because
circumstances had changed. Dr. Landers found the form sufficient to provide consent for
the transfusions and that the standard of care did not require additional consent.
At the conclusion of the trial, the jury received a special verdict form containing
separate questions on negligence and battery. The first negligence question asked
whether Scripps had been negligent in the care and treatment of Janis. The jury answered
8
"No" and, per the form, was not required to answer the remaining negligence questions.
The second question asked whether Scripps nurses performed medical procedures on
Janis without consent. The jury answered "No" and again was not required to answer the
other battery questions.
The Sanchezes moved for JNOV or, in the alternative, for a new trial, contending
the evidence did not support the verdict and also claiming Scripps failed to establish any
justification for lack of consent. The trial court denied the motion. It concluded there
was evidence to support the negligence verdict, noting the witness testimony that the no-
heparin order applied systemically and immediately postsurgery and Dr. Landers's
opinions that there was no conflict in the heparin orders and the nurses complied with the
standard of care. On battery, the court found George provided written consent for
dialysis on May 6 and the jury could infer earlier consent based on his awareness of
Janis's condition, understanding of dialysis, and lack of objection. It also found Janis
signed the April 1 form, providing consent for the blood transfusions, and that Dr.
Landers opined the standard of care did not require additional consent. Finally, the trial
court found Scripps presented evidence in support of the emergency defense.
Scripps filed its memorandum of costs and the Sanchezes moved to tax costs.
Relevant here, the Sanchezes claimed expert costs were not permitted absent a court
order and that no experts were court-ordered; they also pointed out some experts never
testified. The court granted the motion as to the experts who did not testify, but
otherwise found Scripps had made two section 998 offers to waive costs, the offers were
9
reasonable under the circumstances, and Scripps could recover its remaining expert
witness costs under section 998, subdivision (c).
The Sanchezes timely appealed.
II
DISCUSSION
A. Sufficiency of the Evidence
1. Standard of Review
The Sanchezes challenge the judgment and order denying JNOV and a new trial
based on the sufficiency of the evidence.
The parties disagree as to the applicable standard of review. Scripps contends
substantial evidence review applies and we agree. (Wilson v. County of Orange (2009)
169 Cal.App.4th 1185, 1188 ["When a party contends insufficient evidence supports a
jury verdict, we apply the substantial evidence standard of review"]; Sweatman v.
Department of Veterans Affairs (2001) 25 Cal.4th 62, 68 [in reviewing a JNOV denial,
the Court of Appeal determines whether "any substantial evidence . . . supports the jury's
conclusion"]; Charles D. Warner & Sons, Inc. v. Seilon, Inc. (1974) 37 Cal.App.3d 612,
617 [abuse of discretion review applies to denial of new trial motion based on sufficiency
of the evidence "in reviewing the trial court's exercise of discretion, . . . our power begins
and ends with a determination as to whether there is any substantial evidence,
contradicted or uncontradicted, which will support the conclusion reached by the jury.].")
In applying substantial evidence review, we review the record to "determine
whether there is any substantial evidence, contradicted or not contradicted, to support the
10
findings below. We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing party,
drawing all reasonable inferences and resolving all conflicts in its favor." (Brown, supra,
171 Cal.App.4th at p. 1567.) "We do not reweigh evidence or assess the credibility of
witnesses on review for substantial evidence." (San Diego Gas & Electric Co. v. Schmidt
(2014) 228 Cal.App.4th 1280, 1292 (Schmidt).)
The Sanchezes, however, contend their challenge involves the application of law
to undisputed facts and we should apply de novo review. They identify the following
issues: whether the jury reasonably could find that Nurse Myers's "discontin[uation]" of
the no-heparin order was not negligent; whether the jury could excuse consent for
dialysis, which they state "the patient was never informed of"; and whether the April 1
form, which they describe as "contain[ing] no statement of consent" provides consent for
postoperation blood transfusions. Although we agree independent review may be
appropriate when the facts are agreed or undisputed (Nguyen v. Calhoun (2003)
105 Cal.App.4th 428, 437), that is not the case here. As we discuss post, the record
contains evidence from which the jury could find the no-heparin order expired and was
not discontinued, George was informed about and aware of the dialysis process, and the
April 1 form provided consent for the transfusions.8
8 Scripps moves for waiver on the grounds the Sanchezes failed to set forth all material evidence on point. The Sanchezes' treatment of Scripps's evidence is cursory, at best, but we deny the request and choose in the interests of justice to consider their arguments. 11
2. Sufficiency of the Evidence on Negligence
The Sanchezes base their negligence claim on an alleged conflict between the
heparin orders and the nurses' failure to resolve it, as well as Nurse Myers's purported
discontinuation of Dr. Tyner's order. In order to prove a claim of medical negligence, the
plaintiff must establish the defendant breached the standard of care, which "requires that
medical service providers exercise that reasonable degree of skill, knowledge and care
ordinarily possessed and exercised by members of their profession under similar
circumstances." (Alef v. Alta Bates Hospital (1992) 5 Cal.App.4th 208, 215.) "The
standard of care against which the acts of a medical practitioner are to be measured is a
matter peculiarly within the knowledge of experts; it presents the basic issue in a
malpractice action and can only be proved by their testimony, unless the conduct required
by the particular circumstances is within the common knowledge of laymen." (Ibid.)
Here, the jury found Scripps was not negligent in its treatment of Janis. The trial
court found there was substantial evidence to support this verdict and we agree. Expert
witness Dr. Landers opined the heparin orders were not in conflict and the nurses
complied with the standard of care. Dr. Tyner and the nurses supported these
conclusions, testifying the no-heparin order applied systemically and immediately
postoperation and either stating or implying it was not in conflict with the later order for
12
heparin in the dwells.9 Indeed, Dr. Tyner himself ordered heparin in the dwells on
May 6. Dr. Thomas likewise distinguished systemic heparin from heparin in the dwells.
The Sanchezes contend this evidence was insufficient, arguing their expert,
Nurse Leary, provided uncontradicted expert testimony the nurses fell below the standard
of care, Dr. Landers's testimony lacked evidentiary value and was otherwise deficient,
and there was no lawful basis on which Nurse Myers could have "discontinued"
Dr. Tyner's no-heparin order. We reject these contentions.
Nurse Leary's testimony was not uncontradicted. Although she opined the heparin
orders were in conflict and the nurses' failure to resolve the conflict fell below the
standard of care, Dr. Landers disputed each of these opinions. To the extent the
Sanchezes suggest there is no conflicting evidence because Dr. Landers's views lack
evidentiary value, we disagree. Expert testimony constitutes substantial evidence "if
based on conclusions or assumptions supported by evidence in the record," and
Dr. Landers's testimony has such support. (Roddenberry v. Roddenberry (1996)
44 Cal.App.4th 634, 651.)
The Sanchezes' specific objections to Dr. Landers are similarly unpersuasive.
They note Nurse Myers was not deposed and testified last at trial, so Dr. Landers could
not have considered her conduct. But their expert lacked Nurse Myers's testimony, for
9 The Sanchezes criticize Dr. Tyner's testimony, contending among other things that if he meant the postoperative heparin order was time limited, he should have said so, and that his testimony was vague. We reject these arguments as going to witness credibility and the weight of the evidence, which we do not reassess on substantial evidence review. (Schmidt, supra, 228 Cal.App.4th at p. 1292.) 13
the same reason and, regardless, it was not critical to Dr. Landers's conclusions. They
contend Dr. Landers's opinions depended on his view the doctors were collaborating and
the evidence undermines this finding. However, Dr. Landers first testified the orders
were not in conflict and then elaborated on the facts reflecting a lack of conflict,
including not only the doctors' collaboration, but also Janis's worsening condition. The
jury could have found Dr. Landers's opinions did not rely on the collaboration finding.
The Sanchezes also criticize Dr. Landers for failing to address the purportedly
expanded purpose of Dr. Tyner's no-heparin order. They rely on Dr. Tyner's June 17
transfer summary, in which he noted Janis's lower platelet count and that "a heparin
antibody was sent on May 1st and all heparin was removed and discontinued." Nurse
Leary opined this statement reflected Dr. Tyner wanted heparin removed because of the
lower platelet count and the no-heparin order remained in effect on May 1. However,
Dr. Tyner testified he did not issue any order on May 1 to remove and discontinue
heparin and the transfer summary statement referred to, if anything, his postoperative no-
heparin order.10 Moreover, Dr. Landers did testify as to the scope of the postoperative
10 The Sanchezes cite testimony from Dr. Tyner that purportedly reflects an expanded purpose, but the testimony is equivocal at best. In response to their question regarding how he accomplished the discontinuation referenced in the transfer summary, he said, "I did that in my post-op order." They then asked "When you were writing on May 1st, 'And all Heparin was removed and discontinued,' is that your intention at that point in time that this patient is not going to be receiving any Heparin exposure?" He responded "That's what -- again, it was on my post-op order." The cited testimony also does not reflect the Sanchezes asked him directly if he issued an expanded order on May 1. 14
no-heparin order, finding it was limited to systemic, postsurgery heparin and implicitly
rejecting any expanded scope.11
Finally, they contend Nurse Myers's decision not to pass on Dr. Tyner's no-heparin
order discontinued the order in violation of the law and the Scripps medical order policy
and the jury could not reasonably have found this conduct other than negligent. First,
based on the testimony of Dr. Landers, Dr. Tyner, and the nurses that the no-heparin
order was intended to apply immediately postoperation, the jury could have found Nurse
Myers did not discontinue anything. Second, and more important, the Sanchezes identify
no expert testimony to suggest this purported discontinuation by Nurse Myers falls below
the standard of care, as required to establish negligence. (Alef, supra, 5 Cal.App.4th
at p. 215.) At most, they argue their expert found the two heparin orders presented a
conflict requiring resolution by the nurses, an opinion contradicted by Scripps's expert.
The jury reasonably could have concluded Nurse Myers did nothing wrong in perceiving
no conflict and declining to pass on Dr. Tyner's order.
We conclude substantial evidence supports the jury's finding that Scripps was not
negligent.
3. Sufficiency of the Evidence on Battery
The Sanchezes' battery claim rests on their contention that Scripps carried out five
medical procedures without consent: dialysis on May 5, 6, and 7 and platelet transfusions
11 The Sanchezes also contend Dr. Landers implied that because Janis needed dialysis, she also needed heparin, and the evidence negates this implication. However, the negligence issue is not whether Janis needed heparin, but rather, whether the nurses met the standard of care. Dr. Landers's conclusion that they met the standard does not depend on the inference that Janis actually needed heparin. 15
on May 5 and 7. To establish medical battery, a plaintiff must prove the defendant
"perform[ed] a procedure without obtaining any consent." (Saxena v. Goffney (2008)
159 Cal.App.4th 316, 324.) Consent may be provided by an authorized person when the
patient is unable to consent and may be express or implied. (Cobbs v. Grant (1972)
(Bradford).) The jury decided the Scripps nurses did not perform medical procedures on
Janis without consent. The trial court found sufficient evidence to support this verdict, as
do we.12
First, there was sufficient evidence for the jury to find consent to dialysis. The
doctors recalled they spoke with George regularly; Dr. Thomas testified he discussed
Janis's need for dialysis and Dr. Tyner stated it would have been his practice to do so.
George testified he knew what dialysis was, understood it was necessary to save Janis's
life, and did not object to the process. Given George's awareness of dialysis and its role
in Janis's treatment, it would have been reasonable for the jury to infer consent from his
lack of objection. (See Kritzer v. Citron (1950) 101 Cal.App.2d 33, 39 (Kritzer) [finding
the "jury was privileged to infer a consent from the facts that the plaintiff submitted to the
operation without objection and . . . [the husband] made no protest . . . ."].) George then
12 Scripps contends nurses are required only to document consent, not obtain it, and suggest a documentation failure by Scripps's nurses could not have damaged Janis. Because we find substantial evidence of consent, we do not reach this issue.
16
signed written consents for dialysis and the permacath, evidence of express consent.13
(See Bradford, supra, 215 Cal.App.2d at p. 454.)
The Sanchezes disagree, contending dialysis was never proposed to George.
However, the evidence reflects the doctors did discuss dialysis with George, even if
Dr. Tyner never used the precise term. The Sanchezes also suggest the doctors "admitted
making no effort" to obtain informed consent until May 7. The record reflects no such
admissions. Dr. Tyner simply said it was not his role to obtain consent for dialysis and
he did obtain consent for the vascath. Dr. Thomas, meanwhile, first did not recall if he
obtained consent and then said he was unable to reach George, neither of which is a
concession he made no effort to do so.
Second, there was substantial evidence of consent to the platelet transfusions. The
April 1 form was titled "Blood Transfusion, Patient and Physician Acknowledgment of
Consent," suggesting its purpose is to reflect consent. The form itself reflects Janis's
acknowledgement that she received information regarding the possible risks of blood
transfusions. In addition, George testified Dr. Tyner said they might need blood on hand
and Dr. Tyner recalled discussing transfusions with the Sanchezes (although George did
not remember this). The nurses who performed the transfusions viewed the form as
providing consent, although one could not recall specifically whether the form was
sufficient for informed consent. Dr. Landers opined the transfusions did not require
13 The Sanchezes state Scripps admitted there was no consent to dialysis until May 6. The record reflects Scripps stipulated only that there was no written consent prior to May 6, not no consent at all. 17
additional consent. Based on all of this evidence, the jury could conclude there was
consent for the platelet transfusions.
The Sanchezes contend the April 1 form was intended only to document the
provision of information regarding blood transfusions, not consent, and the deterioration
in Janis's condition postsurgery required new consent anyway. However, they identify no
evidence presented to the jury to prove the April 1 form was not a consent form. If
anything, Nurse Leary's testimony that the postsurgery transfusions required additional
consent suggests she found the form sufficient to provide at least some consent (indeed,
she acknowledges the earlier "authorization"). Dr. Landers and at least one nurse
disagreed new consent was required. The jury had no reason to view the April 1 form as
anything but a consent form and could reasonably find the later transfusions required no
additional consent.
The Sanchezes identify several cases to support their consent arguments, but none
undermine the sufficiency of the evidence. They cite Cobbs, supra, 8 Cal.3d 229, 239-
243 and other authorities for the general proposition that consent must be informed, but
their argument, as we understand it, is that there was no consent for the procedures at
issue, informed or otherwise. They also purport to distinguish Bradford and Kritzer, both
of which found consent, suggesting neither establishes consent can be inferred from a
failure to object when there has been no disclosure. (See Kritzer, supra, 101 Cal.App.2d
at p. 38 [patient verbally confirmed consent to procedure, after circumstances changed];
Bradford, supra, 215 Cal.App.2d at p. 454 [patient's written consent to a bronchoscopy
encompassed subsequent biopsy, which was a normal incident of the bronchoscopy].)
18
However, there is evidence of disclosure here, in that the doctors spoke with George
about dialysis and he was aware of the process, and the cases reflect consent can be
implied, including through lack of objection. (See Kritzer, at p. 39 [observing the jury
could infer consent from lack of objection by plaintiff or her husband]; Bradford,
at p. 454 [recognizing "[c]onsent . . . may be implied from the circumstances"].)14
Finally, the Sanchezes argue the trial court erred in finding Scripps provided
evidence of emergency in its JNOV/new trial order, noting the jury never answered the
question and contending there was insufficient evidence to support the ruling. We need
not reach the issue. The Sanchezes are correct the jury did not reach the issue, but it was
because they did not have to, having found consent. The trial court's ruling was
unnecessary, but also harmless; it did not impose (or fail to impose) liability inconsistent
with the jury's verdict. (Compare Dee v. PCS Property Management, Inc. (2009)
174 Cal.App.4th 390, 406 (Dee) [rejecting challenge to causation rulings where jury
found no negligence and was not required to decide causation, finding any error would be
harmless] with Hansen v. Sunnyside Products, Inc. (1997) 55 Cal.App.4th 1497, 1511
(Hansen) [reversing JNOV on comparative negligence following a negligence verdict for
defendant where, among other things, the "jury never reached" the issue "because the
special verdict form told them they need go no further"].) Even if the Sanchezes could
14 The Sanchezes also challenge consent based on noncompliance with the Scripps informed consent policy in the alleged absence of an emergency. It was for the jury to weigh the relevance of the policy in determining whether there was consent. To the extent the Sanchezes are suggesting implied consent can exist only in an emergency, we disagree. (Kritzer, supra, 101 Cal.App.2d at p. 39 ["Plaintiffs' argument that consent may be implied only where an emergency exists overlooks the fact that in an emergency . . . , there is actually no consent whatsoever to an invasion of the patient's interests].) 19
demonstrate there was no substantial evidence to support the emergency ruling, this
"would not require reversal." (Dee, at p. 406.)15 In any event, we observe the record
does reflect ample evidence of exigent circumstances throughout the relevant timeframe.
We find there is substantial evidence to support the jury's finding that Scripps
nurses did not perform procedures without consent.
B. Award of Costs Under Section 998
The Sanchezes contend the trial court abused its discretion in awarding Scripps
expert costs under section 998, arguing the offers were not reasonable.16 We review the
court's award of expert witness fees under section 998 for abuse of discretion. (Jones v.
Dumrichob (1998) 63 Cal.App.4th 1258, 1262 (Jones).) Applying this standard, we
reject the Sanchezes' contentions.
"The purpose of section 998 is to encourage the settlement of litigation without
trial. [Citation.] To effectuate the purpose of the statute, a section 998 offer must be
15 We note it was the Sanchezes who alleged in their JNOV/new trial motion that Scripps had not presented evidence to justify lack of consent, although the jury did not reach this portion of the verdict form. The trial court's decision to rule on emergency not only was superfluous, but also may have been procedurally improper (although harmless under the circumstances). (See Hansen, supra, 55 Cal.App.4th at p. 1511 [observing "multiple procedural problems" with JNOV, including a ruling on an issue the jury had not reached]; Simmons v. Ware (2013) 213 Cal.App.4th 1035, 1047 [finding it "procedurally improper" for trial court to grant JNOV on issue, where, among other things, the issue was never presented to the jury].)
16 Section 998, subdivision (c)(1), provides in part: "If an offer made by a defendant is not accepted and the plaintiff fails to obtain a more favorable judgment or award, . . . the court . . . , in its discretion, may require the plaintiff to pay a reasonable sum to cover costs of the services of expert witnesses, who are not regular employees of any party, actually incurred and reasonably necessary in either, or both, preparation for trial . . . , or during trial . . . , of the case by the defendant." 20
made in good faith to be valid. [Citation.] Good faith requires that the pretrial offer of
settlement be 'realistically reasonable under the circumstances of the particular case.
Normally, therefore, a token or nominal offer will not satisfy this good faith
requirement, . . . .' [Citation.] The offer must 'carry with it some reasonable prospect of
acceptance.' " (Jones, supra, 63 Cal.App.4th at p. 1262.)
A section 998 offer for a waiver of costs may have "significant monetary value"
where the party is "waiving [its] considerable cost bill." (Jones, supra, 63 Cal.App.4th
at p. 1263 [finding no abuse of discretion in awarding expert fees pursuant to a section
998 offer consisting of a cost waiver, but no monetary amount]; see Adams v. Ford Motor
Co. (2011) 199 Cal.App.4th 1475, 1485 (Adams) ["[A] section 998 offer has value
beyond the monetary award provided if it also includes a waiver of costs . . . ."]; Bates v.
Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital, Inc. (2012) 204 Cal.App.4th 210, 214, 222
[finding section 998 offer to waive costs and refrain from pursuing malicious prosecution
claim "had substantial value when weighed against appellant's prospects of success"].)
"The reasonableness of a . . . section 998 settlement offer is evaluated in light of 'what the
offeree knows or does not know at the time the offer is made.' " (Adams, at p. 1485.)
Here, Scripps's section 998 offers proposed a waiver of costs and attorney fees. Its
costs bill, including the disputed expert witness fees, totaled over $287,000, of which
approximately $235,000 was witness fees. The court awarded over $250,000. The
Sanchezes cannot reasonably contend these amounts are insubstantial. (Jones, supra,
63 Cal.App.4th at p. 1264 ["Facially, respondent's offer carried a significant value to
appellants because, if accepted, it would have eliminated appellants' exposure to the very
21
costs which are the subject of this appeal, a sum appellants can hardly claim now to be de
minimis"]; accord Adams, supra, 199 Cal.App.4th at p. 1485.) It should have been
apparent to the Sanchezes that Scripps was incurring significant expert fees, at least as of
the second section 998 offer in August 2013. By that time, the case had been going on
for over two years and Scripps had designated seven retained experts and dozens of
unretained experts. Further, Scripps did in fact prevail at trial. That "result itself
constitutes prima facie evidence that the offer was reasonable . . . ." (Jones,
at p. 1264.)17
The record supports the trial court's conclusion that the section 998 offer was
reasonable "under all of the circumstances." We find the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in awarding Scripps its expert witness costs.
C. Appeal Not Frivolous
Scripps filed a motion for sanctions against the Sanchezes and their attorney for
filing a frivolous appeal. Although we conclude the appeal lacked merit for the reasons
stated, we do not find the appeal to be frivolous and, therefore, deny the motion.
17 The Sanchezes argue token offers are appropriate only for meritless cases and settlements with other defendants reflect their case was not lacking in merit. Those settlements are irrelevant to the Sanchezes' case against Scripps, which the jury decided in Scripps's favor. Moreover, we find Scripps's offer had value, meaning even if the Sanchezes' case had some merit, the trial court still could have found the offer was not a mere token. (Jones, supra, 63 Cal.App.4th at p. 1264.) 22
III
DISPOSITION
The judgment and postjudgment orders are affirmed. The motion for sanctions is
denied. Respondent is awarded costs on appeal.
MCCONNELL, P. J.
WE CONCUR:
NARES, J.
PRAGER, J.*
* Judge of the San Diego Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice pursuant to article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution. 23
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court affirmed the judgment in favor of Scripps Health, finding substantial evidence supported the jury's verdict that the hospital was not negligent in its medical treatment of the patient and did not commit medical battery by performing procedures without consent.
Issues
Whether substantial evidence supports the jury's verdict that Scripps Health was not negligent in its medical treatment of the patient.
Whether substantial evidence supports the jury's verdict that Scripps Health did not commit medical battery by performing procedures without consent.
Disposition. Affirmed.
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“The standard of care against which the acts of a medical practitioner are to be measured is a matter peculiarly within the knowledge of experts; it presents the basic issue in a malpractice action and can only be proved by their testimony”
“To establish medical battery, a plaintiff must prove the defendant "perform[ed] a procedure without obtaining any consent."”