Fisher v. Blankenship
Fisher v. Blankenship
Opinion of the Court
In this automobile negligence action, defendants Derrick Blankenship, Greg Nickel, and Leanna G. Nickel appeal by leave granted the trial court’s order denying their motion for summary disposition. On appeal, we must determine whether the trial court erred when it refused to dismiss the suit of plaintiffs Brian Fisher (Fisher) and Kim Fisher on the ground that they failed to establish that Fisher’s injury amounted to a serious impairment of body function or a permanent serious disfigurement. Because we conclude that Fisher’s injury met both the serious impairment and permanent serious disfigurement thresholds, we affirm. We have decided this appeal without oral argument under MCR 7.214(E).
I. BACKGROUND
Elaintiffs sued defendants to recover damages for injuries that Fisher sustained in an automobile accident in February 2004. Fisher was stopped at a red light when Blankenship struck Fisher’s truck from behind.
Fisher sustained damage to one of his front teeth, which was “pushed all the way back.” He also received an abrasion to the bridge of his nose, and reported left knee and right hand pain. Later that same day, Fisher went to the emergency room of a hospital. The hospital staff treated him for his abrasion and confirmed that he had sustained a dental injury. The staff released him with a prescription for Tylenol and recommended that he see a dentist about the tooth.
Michael Harris, D.D.S., informed plaintiff that he had fractured his tooth and would have to have it removed. Initially, Dr. Harris replaced the missing front tooth with a single implanted post and crown in March or April 2004. However, because of the existing condition of Fisher’s surrounding teeth, this was only a temporary measure. Fisher, who was 41 years old at the time of the accident, admitted that he had “some dental issues” before the accident. He had lost teeth in the back of his mouth, and Dr. Harris had told him that he would eventually need dentures to replace his top front teeth. Indeed, Fisher acknowledged that, before the accident, he and Dr. Harris had discussed that he might need to have dentures of the same type that he now has when he turned 50 or 55 years of age. However, the accident and resulting loss of the front tooth apparently accelerated Fisher’s need for dentures. Ultimately Dr. Harris decided that the best course of action was to extract all of Fisher’s top front teeth — fourteen in total — and replace them with a partial upper denture, which attached to implanted posts. This procedure was performed in March 2007.
Fisher stated that the process involved in removing and replacing the denture each day was frequently painful, frustrating, and upsetting. He stated that he has problems with a severe gag reflex and that the process could take between 45 minutes to one hour when having difficulty. As of the date of his deposition, he had not sought counseling to address these problems or his discomfort with his current appearance and he was not taking medication to deal with the discomfort.
Defendants moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10), arguing that there was no genuine issue of material fact that Fisher’s injury did not amount to a serious impairment of body function or a permanent serious disfigurement as required by MCL 500.3135(1). The trial court denied the motion, explaining that material questions of fact existed concerning how the injury had affected Fisher’s employment, family life, and his household duties and whether he suffered a permanent serious disfigurement.
Defendants argue that the trial court should have granted their motion for summary disposition on the ground that plaintiffs failed to show that Fisher suffered a threshold injury. We review de novo a trial court’s decision on a motion for summary disposition. Auto Club Group Ins Co v Burchell, 249 Mich App 468, 479; 642 NW2d 406 (2002).
Under MCL 500.3135(1), a person is subject to tort liability for noneconomic loss caused by his or her use of a motor vehicle only if the injured person has suffered death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement. A “serious impairment of body function” is “an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects the person’s general ability to lead his or her normal life.” MCL 500.3135(7).
A. NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE INJURY
To establish whether an injury constitutes a serious impairment, the reviewing court is to first determine whether a factual dispute exists “concerning the nature and extent of the person’s injuries; or if there is a factual dispute, that it is not material to the determination whether the person has suffered a serious impairment of body function.” Kreiner v Fischer, 471 Mich 109, 131-132; 683 NW2d 611 (2004). If there is a material factual dispute, a court may not decide the issue as a matter of law. If no material question of fact exists regarding the nature and extent of the plaintiffs injuries, the question is one of law. Id. at 132.
In the present case, plaintiffs argue that there is a material factual dispute concerning the nature and extent of Fisher’s injury. Specifically, plaintiffs rely on
Defendants do not dispute that Plaintiff [lost] his front tooth as a result of this motor vehicle accident. Moreover, Defendants do not dispute that three years after the accident, Plaintiff chose to have his remaining upper teeth removed and to use an upper dental implant for his top teeth. The dispute in this case is whether [Fisher’s] injury impacted his overall ability to lead his normal life to satisfy the statutory threshold of a serious impairment of a body function; and whether he suffered a permanent serious disfigurement.
Given these assertions, defendants ask this Court to reject plaintiffs’ attempts to establish a question of fact concerning the nature and extent of Fisher’s injury. We agree that there is no material dispute concerning the nature and extent of Fisher’s injury. However, we reach this conclusion on the basis of defendants’ admission that the nature and extent of the injury includes Fisher’s loss of teeth beyond the first, which necessitated the dentures.
On appeal, defendants repeatedly referred to Fisher’s loss of a single tooth. However, defendants also repeatedly argued that there was no material factual dispute concerning the nature and extent of Fisher’s injury, and they acknowledged that plaintiffs’ position is that Fisher’s loss of teeth and their replacement by a prosthetic device constituted a serious impairment of body function and serious disfigurement. Defendants also specifically rely on MCL 500.3135(2)(a) for the proposition that whether Fisher’s lost teeth and need for a prosthe
B. FISHER’S ABILITY TO LEAD HIS NORMAL LIFE
When a court determines the nature and extent of a plaintiffs injuries as a matter of law, it must then proceed to the second step in the analysis and determine whether “an ‘important body function’ of the plaintiff has been impaired.” Kreiner, 471 Mich at 132. When a court finds an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function, it then must determine whether “the impairment affects the plain
With regard to residual impairments, the Kreiner Court noted, “[s]elf-imposed restrictions, as opposed to physician-imposed restrictions, based on real or perceived pain do not establish this point.” Id. at 133 n 17. However, this Court has held that “[t]he necessary corollary of this language is that physician-imposed
As a preliminary matter, we disagree with defendants’ implicit contention that, since Fisher eventually would have had to use dentures or some other device because of his existing condition, his loss of teeth could not constitute a threshold injury. Although there is evidence that Fisher already had dental problems, the aggravation or triggering of a preexisting condition can constitute a compensable injury. See Wilkinson v Lee, 463 Mich 388, 394-395; 617 NW2d 305 (2000). Thus, a jury could reasonably find that Fisher suffered a serious impairment based on the accelerated loss of teeth caused by the accident. Notwithstanding this, defendants also argue that Fisher can essentially lead his normal life with his prosthesis; and, for that reason, the loss of teeth does not amount to a serious impairment of body function.
In Moore v Cregeur, 266 Mich App 515, 516-517; 702 NW2d 648 (2005), this Court discussed serious impairment in the context of a plaintiff whose accident left her with retina damage that resulted in permanent loss of visual acuity, a deterioration in her vision to 20/60, and
Defendants suggest that, because plaintiff can still pursue all these activities, albeit with the aid of devices such as magnifiers and special lighting, or with retraining, the injuries do not rise to the level of affecting plaintiffs general ability to lead her normal life. We reject this application of the Kreiner standard. Although “minor changes in how a person performs a specific activity may not change the fact that the person may still ‘generally’ be able to perform that activity,” Kreiner, supra at 131, we do not believe that plaintiffs inability to perform the activities she performed before the accident without the aid of special devices and significant retraining constitutes a “minor change” in how plaintiff performs those activities. By this standard, plaintiff could have lost her right eye entirely and the loss still would not have affected her general ability to lead her normal life because she could learn to perform the same activities with just one eye. The fact that plaintiff has had to take special steps to pursue the activities she routinely pursued in the past is clear evidence that her vision loss has affected her general ability to lead her normal life. [Id. at 520-521.]
We find Moore applicable here. Fisher cannot eat without the “special device” of his denture implant. He also presented evidence of his pain and difficulty in using this device
Under the facts of this case, Fisher’s loss of teeth and the concomitant need for a prosthesis constitutes a serious impairment of body function as a matter of law.
III. PERMANENT SERIOUS DISFIGUREMENT
As we have already noted, there is no material factual dispute concerning the nature and extent of Fisher’s injuries. For that reason, whether Fisher’s injuries constitute a permanent serious disfigurement is a question of law for the court. MCL 500.3135(2)(a).
In order to determine whether Fisher’s injuries meet the disfigurement threshold, we must first determine what type of injury the Legislature contemplated when
Under the plain language of MCL 500.3135(1), in order to meet the disfigurement threshold, a plaintiff must have a disfigurement that is both permanent and serious. To disfigure something is to “mar the appearance or beauty of,” to “deform,” or to “deface.” Random House Webster’s College Dictionary (1997). Hence, with regard to a person, a disfigurement is something that mars, deforms, or defaces the person’s appearance. Further, the disfigurement is permanent if it will exist perpetually or is otherwise “long-lasting,” and will be considered serious if it is “significant” or “not trifling.” Id. Thus, a threshold disfigurement is a long-lasting and significant change that mars or deforms the injured person’s appearance.
In assessing whether a particular change in appearance meets the disfigurement threshold, this Court has held that the determination depends on the physical characteristics of the injury rather than the effect of the injury on the plaintiffs ability to lead a normal life. Kosack v Moore, 144 Mich App 485, 491; 375 NW2d 742 (1985). Thus, the focus must be on the outward appearance of the injury, which necessarily entails a case-by-
In this case, it is clear that Fisher’s loss of teeth mars or deforms his overall appearance. Thus, the loss of teeth is a disfigurement. It is also abundantly clear that the disfigurement will last for the remainder of his life. Consequently, Fisher has suffered a permanent disfigurement. The only question is whether the disfigurement is significant enough to be considered “serious” within the meaning of MCL 500.3135(1).
It seems beyond dispute that, in the absence of any corrective measures, the loss of fourteen teeth would
Applying the above considerations to this case, we conclude that Fisher’s ability to partially conceal his disfigurement through the use of dentures does not render his disfigurement less serious. Rather, we conclude that the need for such a prosthesis is evidence that the disfigurement itself is so serious that one cannot reasonably expect Fisher to appear in public without it. Further, even when he uses the dentures, his appearance is significantly altered: his upper lip protrudes, he drools, and his speech is altered. Therefore, taking into consideration the effect of Fisher’s injury on his appearance with regard to the full spectrum of his life activities, we conclude that Fisher’s injury amounts to a permanent serious disfigurement.
The trial court erred to the extent that it denied defendants’ motion for summary disposition because it concluded that there were questions of fact regarding the nature and extent of Fisher’s injuries. The nature
Affirmed. As the prevailing parties, plaintiffs may tax costs under MCR 7.219(A).
Indeed, we note that defendants’ statements might even amount to a formal concession regarding the nature and extent of Fisher’s injury such that defendants could be precluded from asserting otherwise before a jury. See Radtke v Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone, 453 Mich 413, 420; 551 NW2d 698 (1996) (noting that judicial admissions are “ ‘formal concessions in the pleadings in the case or stipulations by a party or its counsel that have the effect of withdrawing a fact from issue and dispensing wholly with the need for proof of that fact’ ”) (citation omitted).
We note that we have reviewed the video evidence in which Fisher demonstrated how he inserts his dentures.
In addition, there is some evidence that Fisher’s denture system might not he a permanent solution. Dr. Harris admitted that Fisher may or may not have to undergo more surgery or have more implants “since no one knows how long mini-implants last. So far they have been successful for five years.” Thus, there is evidence that Fisher’s residual impairment might worsen with time.
For this reason, the trial court erred to the extent that it determined that summary disposition was inappropriate because there was a question of fact regarding whether Fisher’s injuries amounted to a permanent serious disfigurement.
We acknowledge that Kosack, Nelson, and Owens were all decided before the Legislature amended MCL 500.3135 in 1995. See 1995 PA 222. However, with 1995 PA 222, the Legislature did not effect a change in the definition of a permanent serious disfigurement, and we find the analyses employed in these cases with regard to assessing whether an injury constitutes a permanent serious disfigurement to be persuasive.
We note that this case is not one in which the injured person was able to obtain a permanent cosmetic correction of the disfigurement. Under such cases, the permanent correction might very well mitigate the seriousness of the disfigurement to such a degree that it would no longer meet the threshold.
An injured person’s ability to readily conceal a disfigurement might also be relevant to a determination of damages.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting.) I dissent. I do not disagree with the majority that there is no factual dispute regarding the nature and extent of plaintiff’s
I. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Our review of a trial court’s decision on a motion for summary disposition is de novo. Amerisure Ins Co v Plumb, 282 Mich App 417, 423; 766 NW2d 878 (2009). Summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10) should be granted where the evidence shows that there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Id.
II. SERIOUS IMPAIRMENT
MCL 500.3135(1) states in relevant part: “A person remains subject to tort liability for noneconomic loss caused by his or her ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle only if the injured person has suffered death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement.” (Emphasis added.) “Serious impairment of body function” is defined as “an objectively manifested impairment of an important body function that affects the person’s general ability to lead his or her normal life.” MCL 500.3135(7). It follows that to determine whether a person has suffered a serious impairment of an important body function, courts must consider whether a plaintiff is generally able to lead the normal life he or she led before the accident. Kreiner v Fischer, 471 Mich 109, 132-133; 683 NW2d 611 (2004). This analysis is highly plaintiff-specific: for example, a plaintiff who can no longer throw a baseball may or may not be “seriously impaired” depending on whether the plaintiff was a professional baseball player or “an accountant who likes to play catch with his son every once in a while.” Id. at 134 n 19. The overall course of the specific plaintiffs “entire
[i]n determining whether the course of the plaintiffs normal life has been affected, a court should engage in a multifaceted inquiry, comparing the plaintiffs life before and after the accident as well as the significance of any affected aspects on the course of the plaintiffs overall life. Once this is identified, the court must engage in an objective analysis regarding whether any difference between the plaintiffs pre- and post-accident lifestyle has actually affected the plaintiffs “general ability” to conduct the course of his life. [Id. at 132-133.]
Our Supreme Court has articulated a non-exhaustive list of objective factors to assist courts in evaluating whether a plaintiffs general ability to conduct his or her normal life has been affected. Id. at 133. Those factors include:
(a) the nature and extent of the impairment, (b) the type and length of treatment required, (c) the duration of the impairment, (d) the extent of any residual impairment, and (e) the prognosis for eventual recovery. [Id,.]
Turning to the facts of this case, it is my opinion that there is no genuine issue of material fact that plaintiff did not suffer a serious impairment of body function. Plaintiff admitted at his deposition that his injuries do not affect his ability to perform the normal tasks of daily life. No physicians or dentists have restricted his activities in any way. He remains employed as a machine operator at Textron Fasteners, the same job he held before the accident, and he conceded that the condition of his mouth did not affect his ability to
Objectively viewed, and based on plaintiff’s own testimony, there is no “difference between the plaintiffs pre- and post-accident lifestyle [that] has actually affected the plaintiffs ‘general ability’ to conduct the course of his life.” Id. at 133.
III. PERMANENT SERIOUS DISFIGUREMENT
The record also demonstrates no genuine issue of material fact that plaintiff did not suffer a permanent serious disfigurement. With regard to determining whether an injury is a “permanent serious disfigurement” under § 3135(1), the disfigurement must, at
Here, viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to plaintiff, he has suffered at most a permanent disfigurement:
Plaintiff complains of his appearance when wearing the denture. But even when objectively considering his subjective reaction, plaintiffs disfigurement cannot be considered serious. As noted, pictures of plaintiff depict a normal-looking man. Further, plaintiff conceded at his deposition that his denture looks better than his old teeth, and his friends have told him that his new teeth looked better than his originals. Thus, even by his own testimony, plaintiff does not suffer from a disfigurement severe enough to be considered “serious” within the meaning of § 3135(1). Defendants’ motion for summary judgment should have been granted on this basis as well.
IV CONCLUSION
The trial court erred in denying defendants summary disposition, and the majority now compounds that error. Particularly with respect to the issue of serious
Because Kim Fisher’s claims are derivative in nature, “plaintiff” refers to Brian Fisher only.
Fisher testified that he would have needed the dental work performed eventually, even absent the fracture to the front tooth resulting from the accident. Several of his hack teeth had already been replaced.
At the time of his deposition, plaintiff had only had the denture for four months.
The majority’s attempts to favorably compare the facts of the instant case to Caiger v Oakley, 285 Mich App 389; 775 NW2d 828 (2009), is unavailing. In Caiger, as a result of injuries, the plaintiff lost his employment, continued to suffer chronic pain, remained medically restricted from continuing his trade, and was permanently prevented from engaging in his hobby of woodworking. Comparatively, the effect of plaintiffs injuries in this case is minuscule.
Although MCL 500.3135(2) does not define “serious,” it is defined in Black’s Law Dictionary (5th ed) as “important; weighty; momentous; grave; great. ...”
I have assumed for sake of argument that plaintiffs condition is permanent. Black’s Law Dictionary (5th ed) defines “permanent” as “ [continuing or enduring in the same state . . . without fundamental or marked change, not subject to fluctuation ... fixed ....” Here, plaintiffs disfigurement — his missing teeth — was remedied with a denture so that he no longer suffers from the disfigurement; in other words, the condition was fixable. Moreover, this disfigurement, as caused by the accident, was also not permanent in the sense that he would have had to
Reference
- Cited By
- 53 cases
- Status
- Published