[Cite as Miller v. Andrews,

.]

COURT OF APPEALS RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

CAROL S. MILLER : JUDGES: : Plaintiff-Appellant/ : Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J. Cross-Appellee : Hon. W. Scott Gwin, J. : Hon. John W. Wise, J. -vs- : : Case No. 12CA44 DANA H. ANDREWS, M.D., ET AL. : : Defendants-Appellees/ : Cross-Appellants : OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Appeal from the Richland County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2010 CV 0116 H

JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND REMANDED IN PART

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: June 13, 2013

APPEARANCES:

For Appellant/Cross-Appellee: For Appellees/Cross-Appellants:

MICHAEL L. INSCORE GERALD J. TODARO 13 Park Ave. West, Suite 400 KAREN L. CLOUSE Mansfield, OH 44902-1741 2075 Marble Cliff Office Park Columbus, OH 43215 Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 2

Delaney, P.J.

{¶1} Plaintiff-Appellant/Cross-Appellee Carol S. Miller appeals the May 14,

2012 judgment entry of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas that journalized

a jury verdict in favor of Defendants-Appellees/Cross-Appellants Dana Andrews, M.D.

and American Health Network of Ohio.

{¶2} Defendant-Appellees/Cross-Appellants Dana Andrews, M.D. and

American Health Network of Ohio appeal the May 14, 2012 judgment entry of the

Richland County Court of Common Pleas that awarded sanctions to Miller based on a

discovery issue.

APPEAL OF PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT CAROL S. MILLER

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

{¶3} Plaintiff-Appellant/Cross-Appellee Carol S. Miller, born in 1942, was

admitted to MedCentral Health System on December 17, 2008 with a diagnosis of

acute bilateral pulmonary emboli and deep vein thromboses (DVT) in both legs. DVT

is a blood clot in the veins of the lower leg. A pulmonary embolus occurs when the

blood clot in the vein of the leg breaks away and enters the pulmonary system. A

pulmonary embolus can result in death. The physicians at MedCentral Health System

administered the medication Heparin to treat the blood clots causing the DVT and

pulmonary emboli. Heparin is a blood thinner. While on Heparin, Miller experienced a

drop in her platelet count. A side effect of the use of Heparin is an immune response

called Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT reduces the amount of platelets

in the system and can cause clots to form, which is converse to the purpose of

Heparin. HIT is diagnosed by determining if there are antibodies in the system. Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 3

MedCentral ordered a test to determine whether Miller had HIT, but the results of the

test were not in her record; however, MedCentral diagnosed Miller with HIT.

MedCentral stopped the administration of Heparin and switched Miller to the blood

thinner medication called Lovenox, which is low molecular weight Heparin.

MedCentral continued to give Lovenox to Miller until her discharge from the hospital

on December 21, 2008. Upon her discharge, Miller was prescribed Coumadin, a

blood thinner medication taken orally.

{¶4} On December 26, 2008, Miller was readmitted to MedCentral due to

mental confusion. She suffered a seizure in the emergency room and experienced

respiratory failure. There was no explanation for her symptoms. On January 8, 2009,

Miller was discharged from MedCentral.

{¶5} Instead of returning home after her discharge from the hospital, Miller

was transferred to Winchester Terrace Nursing Home. The purpose of transferring

Miller to Winchester Terrace was for rehabilitation physical and occupational therapy

due to her lengthy hospital stay and to monitor her INR levels. INR diagnoses

whether Miller is receiving therapeutic levels of Coumadin. MedCentral provided

Winchester Terrace with Miller’s discharge papers. The discharge papers included

Miller’s diagnoses of pulmonary emboli, DVT, and HIT. Miller was taking Coumadin at

the time of her admission to Winchester Terrace.

{¶6} The medical director of Winchester Terrace is Defendant-

Appellee/Cross-Appellant Dana Andrews, M.D. Dr. Andrews is employed by

Defendant-Appellee/Cross-Appellant American Health Network of Ohio. Dr. Andrews

is an internal medicine practitioner. In addition to being the medical director of Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 4

Winchester Terrace, Dr. Andrews has a private medical practice. He divides his time

between overseeing the residents of Winchester Terrace and his private patients. The

staff of Winchester Terrance includes registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.

The nurses and support staff attend to the daily supervision and health needs of the

residents. When Dr. Andrews is not present at the nursing home, the staff contacts

Dr. Andrews by telephone or fax as to the care of the residents, such as medicine

adjustments or issues with pain. Dr. Andrews conducts weekly rounds at Winchester

Terrace and physically examines the residents under his care.

{¶7} When Miller was transferred to Winchester Terrace on January 8, 2009,

Dr. Andrews was not present and he did not physically examine Miller. Dr. Andrews

was provided with her discharge papers from MedCentral by the staff of Winchester

Terrace. Upon Miller’s admission, Winchester Terrace contacted Dr. Andrews to alert

him that Miller’s INR was low and not at therapeutic levels. An INR at subtheraputic

levels could result in the reoccurrence of a DVT. Coumadin is a blood thinner

medication; it is administered orally and takes a few days to take effect. Heparin and

Lovenox are blood thinner medications and are administered subcutaneously.

Heparin and Lovenox take immediate effect. In order to remedy her low INR, on

January 9, 2009, Dr. Andrews ordered the administration of Lovenox as a bridge

therapy until the Coumadin was at therapeutic levels. At that time he initially ordered

the use of Lovenox, Dr. Andrews was not aware Miller was diagnosed with HIT by

MedCentral.

{¶8} Miller began physical therapy at Winchester Terrace on January 9, 2009.

Her physical therapy included walking therapy. According to the nursing records, Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 5

Miller began to complain of pain in her left leg. During the three nursing shifts, the

nurses documented Miller’s pain complaints and showed Miller’s pain waxed and

waned from severe pain to low pain. Leg pain is consistent with a DVT. Dr. Andrews

initially prescribed the use of Tylenol to control Miller’s pain. Dr. Andrews physically

examined Miller on January 14, 2009. On January 17, 2009, Dr. Andrews prescribed

Darvocet for Miller’s leg pain. On January 19, 2009, Dr. Andrews prescribed a low

dose Duragesic patch for Miller’s leg pain. Dr. Andrews conducted a physical

examination of Miller and saw that her left leg was swollen and tender. Dr. Andrews

consulted with a local vascular surgeon for treatment recommendations for a patient

experiencing pain with a DVT. Based on the recommendation, Dr. Andrews ordered

the staff to wrap Miller’s left leg with an ACE bandage, elevate the leg, and increase

the pain medication.

{¶9} On January 22, 2009, during the shift of 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., a nurse

failed to document her periodic checks of Miller’s condition, including her left leg.

During the same shift, the nurse made a progress note that Miller’s left leg appeared

edematous (swollen), discolored, and the foot was pale. At 8:00 a.m. on January 22,

2009, a nurse from Winchester Terrace contacted Dr. Andrews to advise him Miller’s

left foot was cold, purplish, and pulseless with no movement or sensation.

{¶10} Miller was transferred to MedCentral at 9:00 a.m. on January 22, 2009.

Miller was taken by life flight to The Ohio State University Medical Center. On January

23, 2009, Miller’s left leg was amputated above the knee. Pathologic examination of

the leg tissue did not show any evidence of an arterial clot. Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 6

{¶11} On January 22, 2010, Miller filed a professional negligence action

against Dr. Andrews and American Health Network of Ohio in the Richland County

Court of Common Pleas. The matter went to trial by jury beginning April 5, 2012.

{¶12} At trial, Miller presented the expert testimony of Dr. Vogel, a

hematologist; Dr. Shoag, an internist; and Dr. Collier, a vascular surgeon. The experts

opined Miller suffered an ischemic event in her left leg caused by arterial thrombosis

or massive venous occlusion. Miller’s experts testified Dr. Andrews fell below the

standard of care when he prescribed Lovenox to Miller based on MedCentral’s

diagnosis of HIT. Further, Dr. Andrews fell below the standard of care because

Miller’s worsening condition of her left leg should have caused Dr. Andrews to do a

more intensive examination of the leg and have Miller evaluated by a hematologist or

vascular surgeon. The experts testified that with the proper intervention, Miller’s leg

could have been saved.

{¶13} Dr. Andrews and American Health Network presented the expert

testimony of Dr. Cefalu, a nursing home care expert; Dr. Balko, a pathologist; and Dr.

Naslund, a vascular surgeon. The experts stated within a reasonable degree of

medical certainty Dr. Andrews did not fall below the standard of care by prescribing

Lovenox to Miller. Miller was not definitively diagnosed with HIT nor were Miller’s

symptoms consistent with HIT. Miller’s symptoms were consistent with a DVT and Dr.

Andrews treated her symptoms accordingly. Miller suffered a complication from a

DVT, which resulted in the ischemic damage to her left leg. Finally, the experts

testified that the nursing home staff failed to recognize the symptoms of an ischemic

event and transmit the information to Dr. Andrews in a timely fashion. Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 7

{¶14} Based on the evidence presented, the jury found Dr. Andrews did not fall

below the standard of care and was therefore not negligent in providing medical care

to Miller.

{¶15} The trial court journalized the verdict on May 14, 2012. It is from this

decision Miller now appeals.

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

{¶16} Miller raises six Assignments of Error:

{¶17} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN INSTRUCTING THE JURY

REGARDING THE USE OF HINDSIGHT AND AFTER ACQUIRED INFORMATION IN

DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT THE DEFENDANT PHYSICIAN WAS

NEGLIGENT.

{¶18} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN SUBMITTING JURY

INTERROGATORIES THAT WERE CONFUSING, MISLEADING AND

INCONSISTENT WITH THE GENERAL JURY INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THE

STANDARD OF CARE.

{¶19} “III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN INSTRUCTING THE JURY THAT

USE BY ANOTHER PHYSICIAN OF A DIFFERENT METHOD OF TREATMENT

DOES NOT IN AND OF ITSELF PROVE NEGLIGENCE WHERE NO EVIDENCE OF

SUCH DIFFERENT METHOD WAS PRESENTED.

{¶20} “IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GIVING REPETITIVE JURY

INSTRUCTIONS UPON THE ISSUE OF THE STANDARD OF CARE AND UPON

THE SIGNIFICANCE THAT COULD BE ATTACHED TO A BAD RESULT. Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 8

{¶21} “V. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION

FOR PARTIAL DIRECTED VERDICT AT THE CLOSE OF THE EVIDENCE AS TO

THE AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE ASSERTING NEGLIGENCE OF NURSING HOME

EMPLOYEES AND BY SUBMITTING INSTRUCTIONS AND INTERROGATORIES TO

THE JURY WITH REGARD THERETO.

{¶22} “VI. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GIVING AN INSTRUCTION TO THE

JURY WITH REGARD TO REMOTE CAUSE.”

ANALYSIS

I.

{¶23} Miller argues in her first Assignment of Error the trial court erred in

overruling counsel’s objection as to the inclusion of a jury instruction on hindsight in its

standard of care instructions. The trial court gave a jury instruction entitled, “Standard

of Care Not Determined by Hindsight or After Acquired Knowledge.” The instruction

read:

In determining whether Dr. Andrews was negligent, you are to consider

his conduct in light of all the facts before him under the same or similar

circumstances. You must consider his care based on the then known

facts and the existing state of medical knowledge at the time the events

were occurring. You are not to evaluate his care based on after-acquired

information.

(T. 1122).

{¶24} The jury instruction is not found in the Ohio Jury Instructions, but was

developed by the Ohio State Bar Association. The OSBA Jury Instruction states: Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 9

In determining whether (defendant’s name) was negligent, you are to

consider (his, her, its, their) conduct in light of all of the facts before (him,

her, it, them) under the same or similar circumstances. You are not to

evaluate (his, her, its, their) care based on after acquired information, but

you may consider (defendant’s name) care based on the then known

facts and the existing state of (medical, nursing, technical) knowledge at

the time the events were occurring.

{¶25} The trial court has the duty to instruct the jury on the applicable law on all

issues raised by the pleadings and evidence, and it must give jury instructions that

correctly and completely state the law. Pallini v. Dankowski,

,

(1969); Marshall v. Gibson,

,

(1985); Murphy v. Carrollton Mfg. Co.,

,

(1991); Groob v. Keybank,

,

,

. A jury charge should be “a plain, distinct and unambiguous statement of the law

as applicable to the case made before the jury by the proof adduced.” Marshall,

,

, citing Parmlee v. Adolph,

(1875),

paragraph two of the syllabus. Furthermore, “[a] charge ought not only be correct, but

it should also be adapted to the case and so explicit as not to be misunderstood or

misconstrued by the jury.”

citing Aetna Ins. Co. v. Reed,

, 295

(1877).

{¶26} The giving of jury instructions is within the sound discretion of the trial

court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. State v.

Martens,

,

(1993). In order to find an abuse of Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 10

discretion, we must determine that the trial court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary,

or unconscionable and not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v.

Blakemore,

,

(1983). Jury instructions must be

reviewed as a whole. State v. Coleman,

,

(1988).

Whether the jury instructions correctly state the law is a question of law, which we

review de novo. Murphy v. Carrollton Mfg. Co.,

,

(1991).

{¶27} In arguing the use of the hindsight instruction was in error, Miller cites to

this Court’s decision in Moore v. Alliance Obstetrics, Inc., 5th Dist. No. 2001CA00006,

. Moore was a medical negligence action alleging the physician failed

to diagnose a pulmonary embolism suffered by the decedent after her hysterectomy.

The trial court gave the jury following instruction:

When examining the conduct of the defendant, with respect to the

standard of care, the conduct or care should be judged prospectively,

looking forward in time. The care and conduct of the defendant must be

judged in light of the circumstances apparent to him at the time, and not

by looking backward retrospectively.

Id. at *3.

{¶28} We found the jury instruction on hindsight to be ambiguous and

confusing. We held:

We find the jury instruction as given by the trial court in this case was

ambiguous and confusing. The jury is told to judge appellee's conduct or

care prospectively looking forwards in time [and] are then told to judge Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 11

appellee's care and conduct in light of the circumstances at that time, not

retrospectively. Notions of further, present, and past injury are all

mentioned in the instruction. The jurors are instructed to judge

appellee's conduct and/or care “at the time” while “looking forward.”

They are told not to look back retrospectively when the standard

contemplates retrospective, factual inquiry. Though we believe we

understand the intent of the instruction, we find a jury could easily be

confused by it. After reviewing the jury charge as a whole, we find the

jury charge probably mislead the jury in a matter materially effecting

appellant's substantial rights.

Id.

{¶29} Since our decision in Moore, this Court has affirmed the use of a

hindsight jury instruction similar to that in the present case in Thompson v. Capaldo,

5th Dist. No. 08 CA 1,

. In that case, the trial court instructed the jury:

In determining whether or not Dr. Capaldo is negligent, you are to

consider his conduct in light of all the facts before him under the same or

similar circumstances and not to evaluate his care based on after-

acquired information. You may consider Dr. Capaldo's care based on

the then-known facts and the existing state of medical knowledge at the

time the events were occurring.

Id. at ¶ 58.

{¶30} The Eighth and the Third appellate districts have reviewed the hindsight

instruction or a conceptually similar hindsight instruction. In Holda v. Blankfield, M.D., Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 12

8th Dist. No. 84350,

, the plaintiff’s medical negligence action was

based on the physicians’ failure to diagnose the decedent’s heart disease before she

suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. The court analyzed the use of a hindsight jury

instruction worded as follows:

Next, in determining whether the physician was negligent, you

should consider his care in light of all the attendant circumstances on the

date and at the time of the alleged negligent event. You should not

judge the physician by after-acquired knowledge or research.

***

The test of the existence of medical negligence is not hindsight,

but one of foresight, considering all of the then-known facts and with the

state of medical knowledge at the time the caregivers acted.

Id. at ¶ 38.

{¶31} The majority in Holda found Moore to be distinguishable and inapplicable

to its case. Id. at ¶ 19. In a concurring opinion, Judge Gallagher expanded upon the

majority analysis:

Appellant asserts this instruction was defective because the “after

acquired knowledge” clause was not supported by the evidence and the

“hindsight” portion of the instruction inadequately expressed the law and

was ambiguous, misleading, and confusing. I disagree.

* * * where the record does not indicate that an “after acquired

knowledge or research” clause was necessary, it cannot be said that the

instruction was inherently prejudicial. The facts of the case presented to Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 13

the jury clearly defined the alleged errors of the treating physicians.

These alleged errors were framed in the context of a treatment “time-line”

and made it clear when the purported negligence occurred. The jury, for

whatever reason, declined to find the physicians negligent.

***

It is also important to address appellant's reliance on the instruction

given in Moore v. Alliance Obstetrics, Inc., Stark App. No.2001 CA 00006,

, in comparison to the “hindsight” instruction given here.

In Moore, the trial court gave the following instruction:

“When examining the conduct of the defendant, with respect to the

standard of care, the conduct of care should be judged prospectively,

looking forward in time. The care and conduct of the defendant must be

judged in light of the circumstances apparent to him at the time, and not

by looking backward retrospectively ‘with the wisdom born of the event’.

[sic] The standard is one of conduct, and not of consequence.”

This instruction is distinguishable from the instruction given in the

present case where the trial court clearly remarked “you should consider

his care in light of all the attendant circumstances on the date and at the

time of the alleged negligent event * * *.” As the majority noted, this is an

accurate statement of the law.

Lastly, appellant fails to support the assertion that the “hindsight”

instruction was erroneous. “Actionable negligence does not consist of

failing to take extraordinary measures which hindsight demonstrates Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 14

would have been helpful.” Bender v. First Church of the Nazarene (1989),

,

, quoting 70 O.Jur.3d (1986),

Negligence, Section 9, at 46-47 (footnotes omitted).

“A hindsight charge instructs the jury on the distinction between

foresight and hindsight, the former of which is the basis for a negligence

claim. It instructs the jury that an after-the-fact assessment of facts or

evidence cannot be the basis of a negligence claim so long as the initial

assessment was made in accordance with the reasonable standards of

medical care. In a medical malpractice case, a hindsight charge is

authorized where the evidence raises an issue as to whether the

negligence claim is based on later acquired knowledge or information not

known or reasonably available to the defendant physician at the time the

medical care was rendered.” Mercker v. Abend,

,

(internal quotes and citations omitted).

The court in Mercker noted that the claims there were, like here, not

based on “after acquired knowledge”; nevertheless, the court noted:

“In her appellate brief, Mercker argues that [her] claims against

[Abend] were not based upon later acquired knowledge or information not

known or reasonably available. But jury charges are not limited to a

plaintiff's characterization of the lawsuit. A trial court has a duty to charge

the jury on the law applicable to issues which are supported by the

evidence. If there is even slight evidence on a specific issue, it is not error Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 15

for the court to charge the jury on the law related to that issue.”

(Internal quote and citation omitted.)

***

at ¶ 39 – 47.

{¶32} The Third District in Clements v. Lima Memorial Hosp., 3rd Dist. No. 1-

09-24,

, appeal not allowed,

,

,

, analyzed this jury instruction as to foreseeability:

Reasonable foreseeability of harm is an essential ingredient of negligence

in the action brought against the defendants. The test for foreseeability is

not whether a defendant should have foreseen the injury exactly as it

happened to the specific person. The test is whether under all the

circumstances a reasonably prudent person would have anticipated that

injury was likely to result to someone from the act or failure to act. The

test, therefore, is one of foreseeability or foresight, not hindsight.

Id. at ¶ 74.

{¶33} The plaintiffs argued “foresight, not hindsight” was an inaccurate

statement of law. The court disagreed:

With respect to the Clements' issue with the phrase “foresight, not

hindsight,” we find that this was not an inaccurate statement regarding

the law. Even though this language is absent from the Ohio Jury

Instructions (hereinafter “OJI”), the OJI instructions are only models or

guidelines and are not mandatory. State v. Burchfield (1993),

,

. With respect to foreseeability, the Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 16

question is one looking forward from the time of the purported negligent

action (foresight), not looking back after the injury has occurred

(hindsight). Grabill v. Worthington Industries, Inc. (1994),

,

(“[i]t is nearly always easy, after an

[incident] has happened to see how it could have been avoided. But

negligence is not a matter to be judged after the occurrence.”) * * *

Id. at ¶ 75.

{¶34} As in Holda, we find the jury instruction in Moore to be distinguishable

from that of the present case. We stated in Moore that while we understood the intent

of the jury instruction, we found instructing the jurors to consider the past, present,

and future in determining whether the physician was negligent was confusing and

ambiguous. In the present case, the jurors were instructed to consider Dr. Andrews’

conduct in light of the facts before a physician under same or similar circumstances.

This is in accord with our decision in Thompson.

{¶35} The concept of same or similar circumstances underpins the hindsight

theory. Information acquired after the negligent event is outside the framing of same

or similar circumstances. In Bruni v. Tatsumi,

,

(1976), at paragraph one of the syllabus, the Supreme Court of Ohio held:

In order to establish medical malpractice, it must be shown by a

preponderance of evidence that the injury complained of was caused by

the doing of some particular thing or things that a physician or surgeon of

ordinary skill, care and diligence would not have done under like or

similar conditions or circumstances, or by the failure or omission to do Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 17

some particular thing or things that such a physician or surgeon would

have done under like or similar conditions and circumstances, and that

the injury complained of was the direct and proximate result of such

doing or failing to do some one or more of such particular things.

Bruni supports the hindsight instruction.

{¶36} On review of the present case, we have examined the instructions as a

whole, and we find that they are fairly balanced and include accurate statements of

the law. Accordingly, we cannot find that the trial court abused its discretion in giving

this instruction.

{¶37} Miller’s first Assignment of Error is overruled.

II.

{¶38} Miller contends in her second Assignment of Error the trial court erred in

submitting confusing interrogatories to the jury. We disagree.

{¶39} Counsel for Miller objected to Interrogatory No. 1 and No. 2 stating, “On

the jury interrogatories, I’m going to object to No. 1 because it refers to the violation of

being below the appropriate standard of care rather than just saying he was negligent,

which is contrary to OJI.” (T. 1146-1147). The trial court stated, “Well, just a second.

They’re the same thing.” Counsel replied, “I understand they’re the same thing.” (T.

1147).

{¶40} Interrogatory No. 1 states, “Do you find by a preponderance of the

evidence that Dana H. Andrews, M.D., provided care and treatment to Carol S. Miller

that was below the appropriate standard of care? You will deliberate, and you will

answer that first question. If you find that the conduct of the Defendant fell below the Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 18

medical standard required of him, you answer that question by checking yes. If you

find that the conduct of the doctor met the standard of care required of him, you will

answer that question no.” (T. 1132). Interrogatory No. 2 read, “State in what respects

you find that the Defendant Dana H. Andrews, M.D., provided care or treatment that

was below the appropriate standard of care.” (T. 1133).

{¶41} Civ. R. 49(B) governs the use of interrogatories and reads in relevant

part: “ * * * [t]he court shall inform counsel of its proposed action upon the requests

prior to their arguments to the jury, but the interrogatories shall be submitted to the

jury in the form that the court approves. The interrogatories may be directed to one or

more determinative issues whether issues of fact or mixed issues of fact and law.”

{¶42} The Supreme Court of Ohio, interpreting Civ. R. 49(B), has held that

Civ.R. 49(B) “does not require the trial judge to act as a * * * mere conduit who must

submit all interrogatories counsel may propose.” Ziegler v. Wendel Poultry Serv., Inc.,

,

(1993), citations omitted. “The court retains

limited discretion to reject proposed interrogatories where they are ambiguous,

confusing, redundant, or otherwise legally objectionable. Proper jury interrogatories

must address determinative issues and must be based upon the evidence presented.”

.

{¶43} Reviewing the jury instructions and interrogatories as a whole, we find no

error. The jury instructions sufficiently explain the appropriate standard of care in

relation to negligence. The jury instructions stated in part:

This is a medical negligence claim brought by the Plaintiff, Mrs. Carol

Miller, to recover compensation for injuries claimed to have been caused Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 19

by the negligence of the Defendants, Dr. Andrews and American Health

Network. The Plaintiff must prove by the greater weight of the evidence

that the Defendant physician was negligent and that his negligence was

the proximate cause of injury to the Plaintiff. A physician is negligent if

the physician fails to meet the required standard of care.

***

If you find by the greater weight of the evidence that Dr. Andrews failed

to meet the standard of care, then you shall find that he was negligent.

***

You shall decide whether the treatment used by the Defendant was in

accordance with the required standard of care.

(T. 1119-1121).

{¶44} Miller’s second Assignment of Error is overruled.

III.

{¶45} Miller argues in her third Assignment of Error the trial court erred in

including the different methods jury instruction. The jury instruction stated:

Although some other physician might have used a method of treatment

different from that used by the Defendant, this circumstance will not by

itself prove that the Defendant was negligent. You shall decide whether

the treatment used by the Defendant was in accordance with the

required standard of care.

(T. 1121). Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 20

{¶46} The giving of jury instructions is within the sound discretion of the trial

court and will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. State v.

Martens,

,

(3rd Dist. 1993). “The trial court retains

discretion on how to conform the jury instructions to the evidence presented at trial.”

State v. Condon,

, 2003–Ohio–2335,

(1st

Dist.), citing State v. Guster,

,

(1981). In order to

find an abuse of that discretion, we must determine the trial court's decision was

unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable and not merely an error of law or judgment.

Blakemore v. Blakemore,

,

(1983). Jury instructions

must be reviewed as a whole. State v. Coleman,

,

(1988).

{¶47} The evidence in this case supports the inclusion of the different methods

instruction. Plaintiff’s expert, Dr. Vogel testified the use of Heparinoid drugs should

not be used in a patient with HIT. Defendants’ expert, Dr. Naslund testified that

Lovenox was Dr. Andrews’ best choice for Miller’s anti-coagulation therapy in the

nursing home setting.

{¶48} Miller’s third Assignment of Error is overruled.

IV.

{¶49} Miller contends in her fourth Assignment of Error the jury instructions

were duplicative as to the standard of care, causing prejudice to Miller.

{¶50} We stated in Cole v. Beallor, 5th Dist. No. 1999CA00080,

(Dec. 30, 1999): Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 21

“ * * * The mere fact that a legal proposition is repeated in an instruction

is not ground for reversal, provided it is correct in itself, unless it appears

that the party complaining was prejudiced thereby, or that such repetition

was unnecessary and was made by way of emphasis or for the purpose

of influencing the decision of the jury.” Billie v. Mutchler (September 30,

1994), Columbiana App. No. 93-C-04, unreported, at 3, citing 89 Ohio

Jurisprudence 3d 388-390, Trial, Sec. 308. The decision to repeat jury

instructions is within the trial court's discretion. State v. Carver (1972),

, 289.

{¶51} Miller argues the trial court’s use of the “bad results” and “guarantee”

instructions together weighted the instructions, causing prejudice to Miller. The bad

results instruction, found in OJI, read, “The fact that the doctor’s treatment did not

fulfill the patient’s expectations does not by itself prove the doctor was negligent.” (T.

1121). The guarantee instruction read, “A physician treating a patient in practicing his

medical specialty is not a guarantee of favorable results. The mere fact that a bad

result or an unexpected result or a disappointing result followed the treatment which

the Defendant physician administered does not in itself form a basis for you to find that

the Defendants failed in the duty they owed to this patient to exercise ordinary care in

the practice of his medical specialty.” (T. 1121-1122).

{¶52} In Miller v. Defiance Regional Med. Ctr., 6th Dist. No. L-06-1111, 2007-

Ohio-7101, the trial court used the same jury instructions in its medical negligence

action. The Sixth District relied on Callahan v. Akron Gen. Med. Ctr, 9th Dist. No.

Civ.A. 22387,

, to find that the trial court's instructions as a whole Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 22

were “fairly balanced” and included “accurate statements of the law.”

.

The Miller court stated the appellant's heavily weighted argument implied bias on the

part of the trial court. The court reviewed the jury instructions as a whole and found

they were fair and accurate.

{¶53} Pursuant to Miller and Callahan, we have reviewed the jury instructions

as a whole and we find them to be fair and accurate. There was no abuse of

discretion by the trial court to include the instructions.

{¶54} Miller’s fourth Assignment of Error is overruled.

V.

{¶55} In Miller’s fifth Assignment of Error, she argues the trial court erred in

denying her motion for directed verdict on the affirmative defense of negligence by

non-parties raised by Dr. Andrews and American Health Network of Ohio. At the

conclusion of the defendants’ case, Miller moved for a partial directed verdict upon the

“empty chair” affirmative defenses asserting negligence of non-parties. Miller argued

defendants failed to present expert testimony that the non-parties fell below the

standard of care. The trial court denied the motion for directed verdict as to the

employees and agents of Winchester Terrace. The trial court instructed the jury in

part:

The Defendant Dana Andrews, M.D., claims negligence by other medical

providers who rendered care to Carol Miller but who are not defendants

in this case. If you find that Dr. Andrews was negligent and that such

negligence proximately caused injury to Carol Miller, then your verdict

must be for the Plaintiff and against Dr. Andrews. However, in that Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 23

event, you will also be asked to answer interrogatories, which I will

further explain to you later, in determining whether any other medical

provider about whom you have heard evidence was negligent and

whether that negligence proximately caused or contributed to cause

injury to Carol Miller.

(T. 1123).

{¶56} Interrogatory No. 5 asked the jury to determine whether the agents or

employees of Winchester Terrace provided care or treatment below the standard of

care. (T. 1134).

{¶57} Interrogatory No. 1 asked the jury if they found by the preponderance of

the evidence that Dr. Andrews provided care or treatment to Miller that was below the

appropriate standard of care. If the answer of six or more jurors was no, the jurors

were instructed to sign the general verdict form in favor of Dr. Andrews and proceed

no further. (T. 1132-1133). The jury answered “no” to Interrogatory No. 1. The jury

signed the general verdict form in favor of Dr. Andrews and American Health Network

of Ohio. (T. 1149).

{¶58} An error in a charge or an error in charging, however, “ * * * may not

always work to the prejudice of a party in the case * * *.” Dunn v. Higgins,

,

(1968); and, when special interrogatories are submitted

to a jury, the answers “ * * * are to be relied upon to determine whether substantial

justice has been afforded in a particular case * * *.”

. An error in charging

on contributory negligence, comparative negligence or assumption of risk is not

prejudicial when the jury answers “no” to the first interrogatory asking whether the Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 24

defendant is negligent. Sech v. Rogers,

,

(1983). In such case, the inquiry into whether it was error for the trial court to have so

charged is immaterial and moot since a finding that defendant is not negligent

obviates “ * * * the need for the jury to address the affirmative defenses * * *.”

Johnson v. Toledo Cardiology Assoc., Inc., 6th Dist. No. L-89-292,

(Mar. 29, 1991), *2 citing Sech v.

; Wagner v. Ohio Bldg.

Restoration, 6th Dist. No. L-84-394,

, (Aug. 30, 1985).

{¶59} We therefore find any error asserted by Miller is harmless based on the

jury’s verdict finding Dr. Andrews and American Health Network of Ohio not negligent.

{¶60} Miller’s fifth Assignment of Error is overruled.

VI.

{¶61} Miller argues in her sixth Assignment of Error the trial court erred in

instructing the jury on remote cause. We disagree.

{¶62} The jury instructions stated, “A person is not responsible for injury to

another if his or her negligence is a remote cause and not a proximate cause. A

cause is remote when the result could not have been reasonably foreseen or

anticipated as being the natural or probable cause of injury.” (T. 1119).

{¶63} Miller argues the language of the last sentence is nonsensical. Miller

does not in her appellate brief point to the record where counsel objected to the

instruction. Further, based on the reasoning in the fifth Assignment of Error, we find

any error to be harmless because the jury did not reach the issue of proximate cause

based on its finding that Dr. Andrews did not fall below the standard of care.

{¶64} Miller’s sixth Assignment of Error is overruled. Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 25

CROSS-APPEAL OF DEFENDANTS-APPELLEES DANA ANDREWS, M.D. AND

AMERICAN HEALTH NETWORK OF OHIO

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

{¶65} The deposition of defense expert Mathew Lee, M.D. was scheduled for

February 23, 2012 in Richmond, Virginia. Plaintiff’s counsel traveled to Richmond on

February 22, 2012. The deposition began on February 23, 2012 at 10:20 a.m. and

went until 11:45 a.m. The deposition adjourned at 11:45 a.m. under plaintiff counsel’s

objection due to defense counsel’s flight arrangements.

{¶66} On March 5, 2012, Miller filed a motion in limine for sanctions or for an

order compelling discovery with regard to a deposition of Dr. Lee. In her motion, Miller

requested attorneys fees and costs associated with the February 23, 2012 deposition.

{¶67} A video conference deposition was held with Dr. Lee on March 13, 2012.

{¶68} Dr. Lee did not testify at trial.

{¶69} The trial court did not hold an oral hearing on the motion for sanctions.

On May 14, 2012, in its judgment entry journalizing the jury verdict, the trial court

ordered sanctions against defendants in the amount of $5,235.37 for expenses related

to the termination of Dr. Lee’s deposition.

{¶70} It is from this decision Dr. Andrews and American Health Network of

Ohio appeal.

ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR

{¶71} Dr. Andrews and American Health Network of Ohio raise one

Assignment of Error in their Cross-Appeal: Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 26

{¶72} “THE TRIAL COURT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH THE

REQUIREMENTS OF R.C. 2323.51 AND ABUSED ITS DISCRETION IN ORDERING

THE DEFENDANTS TO PAY SANCTIONS IN THE FORM OF COSTS RELATED TO

THE DEPOSITION OF DEFENSE EXPERT MATTHEW LEE, M.D.”

ANALYSIS

{¶73} The trial court awarded sanctions to Miller under R.C. 2323.51(A)(2)(i).

The statute defines frivolous conduct under this subsection as conduct that, “* * *

obviously serves merely to harass or maliciously injure another party to the civil action

or appeal or is for another improper purpose, including, but not limited to, causing

unnecessary delay or a needless increase in the cost of litigation.”

{¶74} R.C. 2323.51 provides that a trial court may award court costs,

reasonable attorney fees, and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with

the civil action or appeal to any party to the civil action or appeal who was adversely

affected by frivolous conduct. Huntsman. v. Lowery, 5th Dist. No.2003CA00210,

2004–Ohio–753, ¶ 11.

{¶75} In order to award sanctions, R.C. 2323.51(B)(2)(a) requires a trial court

to set a date for a hearing to determine whether the conduct was frivolous and

whether the frivolous conduct adversely affected a party to the action. The trial court

must provide notice of the hearing to each party or counsel of record who allegedly

engaged in the frivolous conduct and to any party who was allegedly adversely

affected by the frivolous conduct. R.C. 2323.51(B)(2)(b). The trial court must then

conduct a hearing at which the court “allows the parties and counsel of record involved

to present any relevant evidence, including evidence of reasonable attorney's fees. Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 27

R.C. 2323.51(B)(2)(c) and 2323.51(B)(5)(a). See Hunt v. Allen, 5th Dist. No. 11-CA-

70,

.

{¶76} In this case, the trial court did not comply with R.C. 2323.51(B)(2).

Accordingly, the portion of the May 14, 2012 judgment entry awarding sanctions in

favor of Miller is reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings consistent

with R.C. 2323.51.

{¶77} The sole Assignment of Error of Dr. Andrews and American Health

Network of Ohio is sustained. Richland County, Case No. 12CA44 28

CONCLUSION

{¶78} The six Assignments of Error of Plaintiff-Appellant/Cross-Appellee Carol

S. Miller are overruled.

{¶79} The May 14, 2012 judgment entry of the Richland County Court of

Common Pleas journalizing the general verdict in favor of Defendants-

Appellees/Cross-Appellants Dana H. Andrews, M.D. and American Health Network of

Ohio is affirmed.

{¶80} The sole Assignment of Error of Defendants-Appellees/Cross-Appellants

Dana H. Andrews, M.D. and American Health Network of Ohio is sustained. The May

14, 2012 judgment entry as to sanctions against Defendants-Appellees/Cross-

Appellants only is reversed and the matter remanded for further proceedings

consistent with R.C. 2323.51.

By: Delaney, P.J.

Gwin, J. and

Wise, J. concur.

HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY

HON. W. SCOTT GWIN

HON. JOHN W. WISE

PAD:kgb/PM