{ "id": 8185511, "name": "IVAN HAYES Plaintiff v. RANDY ALAN PETERS, M.D., SALEM GASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATES, P.A., and FORSYTH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, INC., Defendant", "name_abbreviation": "Hayes v. Peters", "decision_date": "2007-06-19", "docket_number": "No. COA06-1157", "first_page": "285", "last_page": "289", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "184 N.C. App. 285" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "261 S.E.2d 908", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "914" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "299 N.C. 351", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8575088 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "359" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/299/0351-01" ] }, { "cite": "572 S.E.2d 101", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "103" }, { "page": "103" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "356 N.C. 415", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 1511250 ], "year": 2002, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "417" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/356/0415-01" ] }, { "cite": "401 S.E.2d 657", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "659", "parenthetical": "noting that the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur is approved in two limited circumstances: (1) injuries resulting from surgical instruments or other foreign objects left in the body following surgery; and (2) injuries to a part of the patient's anatomy outside of the surgical field" }, { "page": "659" }, { "page": "659", "parenthetical": "finding no error in the trial court's refusal to instruct the jury on res ipsa loquitur when the doctrine did not apply to the injury sustained" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "102 N.C. App. 332", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8523883 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "335", "parenthetical": "noting that the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur is approved in two limited circumstances: (1) injuries resulting from surgical instruments or other foreign objects left in the body following surgery; and (2" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/102/0332-01" ] }, { "cite": "609 S.E.2d 249", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "252" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "168 N.C. App. 694", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8471804 ], "year": 2005, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "699" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/168/0694-01" ] }, { "cite": "336 S.E.2d 116", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "118" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "77 N.C. App. 689", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8525060 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "692" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/77/0689-01" ] }, { "cite": "536 S.E.2d 359", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "362" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "140 N.C. App. 375", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 12127594 ], "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "378-79" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/140/0375-01" ] }, { "cite": "423 S.E.2d 320", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "322" }, { "page": "323", "parenthetical": "holding that the plaintiff's res ipsa loquitur claim failed because a layman would have no basis for concluding that the defendant was negligent in the plaintiff's bone marrow harvest procedure" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "108 N.C. App. 145", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8523038 ], "year": 1992, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "149" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/108/0145-01" ] }, { "cite": "176 S.E.2d 161", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "167" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "277 N.C. 94", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8561932 ], "year": 1970, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "104" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/277/0094-01" ] }, { "cite": "254 S.E.2d 611", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "626", "parenthetical": "citing Sutton v. Duke, 277 N.C. 94, 104, 176 S.E.2d 161, 167 (1970)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "297 N.C. 181", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8568312 ], "year": 1979, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "204", "parenthetical": "citing Sutton v. Duke, 277 N.C. 94, 104, 176 S.E.2d 161, 167 (1970)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/297/0181-01" ] }, { "cite": "577 S.E.2d 411", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "414" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "156 N.C. App. 503", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 9191271 ], "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "507" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/156/0503-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 487, "char_count": 8486, "ocr_confidence": 0.742, "pagerank": { "raw": 7.454604561672697e-08, "percentile": 0.44436586843480064 }, "sha256": "47e7157345e8fad3d97c063e7aa3e3c596f29a5914f145757d39ae8619800459", "simhash": "1:534d3d601c3b0652", "word_count": 1394 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T19:54:59.559545+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges HUNTER and LEVINSON concur." ], "parties": [ "IVAN HAYES Plaintiff v. RANDY ALAN PETERS, M.D., SALEM GASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATES, P.A., and FORSYTH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, INC., Defendant" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "STEELMAN, Judge.\nPlaintiff\u2019s complaint did not sufficiently state a claim for medical malpractice under the common law doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, thus the trial court properly dismissed it pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6).\nIn January of 2004, Ivan Hayes (\u201cplaintiff\u2019) reported difficulty swallowing to his primary care physician. Plaintiff was referred to Dr. Randy Alan Peters (\u201cDr. Peters\u201d), a specialist in Gastroenterology. On 23 January 2004, plaintiff was placed under general anesthesia for an esophagastroduodenoscopy (\u201cprocedure\u201d) ordered by Dr. Peters. About twenty minutes into the procedure, plaintiff became unresponsive and emergency procedures were implemented. An emergency CT scan revealed air emboli in plaintiff\u2019s central nervous system. A right hemispheric stroke resulted, leaving plaintiff physically and mentally debilitated.\nOn 12 December 2005, plaintiff filed a complaint for medical malpractice under the common law doctrine of res ipsa loquitur against defendants Dr. Peters, Salem Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., and Forsyth Memorial Hospital, Inc. On 24 January 2005, an amended complaint was filed to correct the name of the hospital defendant. On 28 February 2006, defendant Forsyth Memorial Hospital, Inc., moved to dismiss plaintiff\u2019s complaint pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rules 9(j) & 12(b)(6). On 15 March 2006, defendants Dr. Peters and Salem Gastroenterology Associates, P.A., also moved to dismiss plaintiff\u2019s complaint pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rules 9(j) & 12(b)(6). On 17 April 2006, Judge Spivey heard the motions to dismiss. On 11 May 2006, Judge Spivey granted each of the motions to dismiss pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6). Plaintiff appeals.\nIn his first and second arguments, plaintiff contends that the trial court erroneously granted defendants\u2019 motions to dismiss pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6) because the complaint properly alleged a claim for medical malpractice under the common law doctrine of res ipsa loquitur. We disagree.\nThe grant of a motion to dismiss is reviewed de novo on appeal. Lea v. Grier, 156 N.C. App. 503, 507, 577 S.E.2d 411, 414 (2003). A motion to dismiss based on N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6) should be granted when the plaintiff has failed \u201cto state a claim upon which relief can be granted.\u201d N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6) (2004). \u201c[D]espite the liberal nature of the concept of notice pleading, a complaint must nonetheless state enough to give the substantive elements of at least some legally recognized claim or it is subject to dismissal under Rule 12(b)(6).\u201d Stanback v. Stanback, 297 N.C. 181, 204, 254 S.E.2d 611, 626 (1979) (citing Sutton v. Duke, 277 N.C. 94, 104, 176 S.E.2d 161, 167 (1970)).\nThe common law doctrine of res ipsa loquitur has been described by this Court:\nRes ipsa loquitur is a doctrine addressed to those situations where the facts or circumstances accompanying an injury by their very nature raise a presumption of negligence on the part of defendant. It is applicable when no proof of the cause of an injury is available, the instrument involved in the injury is in the exclusive control of defendant, and the injury is of a type that would not normally occur in the absence of negligence.\nBowlin v. Duke University, 108 N.C. App. 145, 149, 423 S.E.2d 320, 322 (1992). In order for the doctrine to apply, an average juror must be able to infer, through his common knowledge and experience and without the assistance of expert testimony, whether negligence occurred. Diehl v. Koffer, 140 N.C. App. 375, 378-79, 536 S.E.2d 359, 362 (2000).\nRes ipsa loquitur has been limited in medical malpractice cases because most medical treatment involves inherent risk and is of a scientific nature. Schaffner v. Cumberland County Hospital System, Inc., 77 N.C. App. 689, 692, 336 S.E.2d 116, 118 (1985). This Court has encouraged \u201ctrial courts to remain vigilant and cautious about providing res ipsa loquitur as an option for liability in medical malpractice cases other than in those cases where it has been expressly approved.\u201d Howie v. Walsh, 168 N.C. App. 694, 699, 609 S.E.2d 249, 252 (2005); see, e.g., Grigg v. Lester, 102 N.C. App. 332, 335, 401 S.E.2d 657, 659 (1991) (noting that the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur is approved in two limited circumstances: (1) injuries resulting from surgical instruments or other foreign objects left in the body following surgery; and (2) injuries to a part of the patient\u2019s anatomy outside of the surgical field).\nIn the instant case, plaintiff relies on res ipsa loquitur to support his claim that his stroke was the result of negligence on the part of defendants. Taking the allegations in plaintiffs complaint as true, we do not believe the average juror would, based on his common knowledge or experience, be able to infer whether plaintiff\u2019s injury resulted from a negligent act. In addition, we do not find air emboli to be either a foreign object or injury outside of the scope of the surgical field to bring plaintiff\u2019s claim within the categories this Court has approved for the application of res ipsa loquitur. See Grigg, at 335, 401 S.E.2d at 659. Expert testimony would be necessary for the average juror to determine whether a stroke was an injury that would not normally occur in the absence of negligence. Cf. Bowlin, at 149-50, 423 S.E.2d at 323 (holding that the plaintiff\u2019s res ipsa loquitur claim failed because a layman would have no basis for concluding that the defendant was negligent in the plaintiff\u2019s bone marrow harvest procedure); Grigg, at 335, 401 S.E.2d at 659 (finding no error in the trial court\u2019s refusal to instruct the jury on res ipsa loquitur when the doctrine did not apply to the injury sustained). This assignment of error is without merit.\nIn his third argument, plaintiff contends that N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 9(j), is unconstitutional. We decline to address plaintiff\u2019s argument.\n\u201cThe certification requirements of Rule 9(j) apply only to medical malpractice cases where the plaintiff seeks to prove that the defendant\u2019s conduct breached the requisite standard of care \u2014 not to res ipsa loquitur claims.\u201d Anderson v. Assimos, 356 N.C. 415, 417, 572 S.E.2d 101, 103 (2002); see also N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 9\u00a9 (2001).\nIn the instant case, plaintiff asserted only a res ipsa loquitur claim in his complaint. As to this claim, the certification requirements of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 9(j) were not implicated. See Anderson, at 417, 572 S.E.2d at 103. Thus, the question of the constitutionality of N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 9(j) is not properly before us in this case. See State ex rel. Edmisten v. Fayetteville Street Christian School, 299 N.C. 351, 359, 261 S.E.2d 908, 914 (1980). Accordingly, we decline to address plaintiffs third argument.\nAFFIRMED.\nJudges HUNTER and LEVINSON concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "STEELMAN, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Hatfield, Mountcastle, Deal, Van Zandt & Mann, L.L.P., by John P. Van Zandt, III, and Marc Hunter Eppley, for plaintiff - appellant.", "Wilson & Coffey, L.L.P., by Linda L. Helms, for defendant-appellees Randy Alan Peters, M.D., and Salem Gastroenterology Associates, P.A.", "Horton and Gsteiger, P.L.L.C., by Elizabeth Horton, for defendant-appellee Forsyth Memorial Hospital, Inc." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "IVAN HAYES Plaintiff v. RANDY ALAN PETERS, M.D., SALEM GASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATES, P.A., and FORSYTH MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, INC., Defendant\nNo. COA06-1157\n(Filed 19 June 2007)\n1. Medical Malpractice\u2014 stroke during surgery \u2014 res ipsa loquitur \u2014 12(b)(6) dismissal\nThe trial court did not err by granting defendants\u2019 motions to dismiss a medical malpractice action under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(6) because plaintiff relied on res ipsa loquitur to support his claim that his stroke during a procedure was the result of negligence. The average juror would not be able to infer negligence based on common knowledge or experience, and air emboli are not a foreign object or injury outside the scope of the surgical field.\n2. Medical Malpractice\u2014 action based on res ipsa loquitur\u2014 Rule 9(i) certification \u2014 not required\nThe certification requirements of N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 9(j) were not implicated in a medical malpractice case where plaintiff asserted only a res ipsa loquitur claim. The constitutionality of Rule 9Q) was not properly before the court in this case.\nAppeal by plaintiff from judgment entered 12 May 2006 by Judge Ronald E. Spivey in Forsyth County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 29 March 2007.\nHatfield, Mountcastle, Deal, Van Zandt & Mann, L.L.P., by John P. Van Zandt, III, and Marc Hunter Eppley, for plaintiff - appellant.\nWilson & Coffey, L.L.P., by Linda L. Helms, for defendant-appellees Randy Alan Peters, M.D., and Salem Gastroenterology Associates, P.A.\nHorton and Gsteiger, P.L.L.C., by Elizabeth Horton, for defendant-appellee Forsyth Memorial Hospital, Inc." }, "file_name": "0285-01", "first_page_order": 317, "last_page_order": 321 }