{ "id": 8524754, "name": "SHIRLEY S. STALLINGS v. JERRY M. GUNTER, JERRY M. GUNTER, D.D.S., P.A., A Professional Corporation, ROY WILLIAM KELLY, JR., ROY WILLIAM KELLY, JR., D.D.S., P.A., A Professional Corporation", "name_abbreviation": "Stallings v. Gunter", "decision_date": "1990-08-07", "docket_number": "No. 8927SC1251", "first_page": "710", "last_page": "716", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "99 N.C. App. 710" } ], "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": "84 S.E.2d 175", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1954, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "176" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "240 N.C. 794", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8611961 ], "year": 1954, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "795" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/240/0794-01" ] }, { "cite": "440 F.Supp. 1088", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F. Supp.", "case_ids": [ 3965353 ], "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1098", "parenthetical": "the 'continuing course of treatment' doctrine is applicable \"even if there are no further acts of malpractice in the continued treatment\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f-supp/440/1088-01" ] }, { "cite": "369 S.E.2d 683", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "687", "parenthetical": "plaintiff could wait until the end of treatment \"to complain of any negligence which occurred during that treatment\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "235 Va. 607", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Va.", "case_ids": [ 2099831 ], "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "613", "parenthetical": "plaintiff could wait until the end of treatment \"to complain of any negligence which occurred during that treatment\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/va/235/0607-01" ] }, { "cite": "365 S.E.2d 717", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "719", "parenthetical": "treatment \"after\" the negligent act is within the 'continuing course of treatment' doctrine" }, { "page": "720" }, { "page": "720", "parenthetical": "the treatment must be \"for the same injury\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "89 N.C. App. 250", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8521315 ], "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "255", "parenthetical": "treatment \"after\" the negligent act is within the 'continuing course of treatment' doctrine" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/89/0250-01" ] }, { "cite": "247 S.E.2d 287", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "293" }, { "page": "294" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "38 N.C. App. 50", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8551832 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "58" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/38/0050-01" ] }, { "cite": "325 S.E.2d 469", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "475" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "312 N.C. 626", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4757989 ], "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "633" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/312/0626-01" ] }, { "cite": "293 S.E.2d 415", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "418", "parenthetical": "citation omitted" }, { "page": "418", "parenthetical": "citation omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "306 N.C. 364", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8568776 ], "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "367", "parenthetical": "citation omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/306/0364-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 633, "char_count": 15410, "ocr_confidence": 0.751, "pagerank": { "raw": 5.096065330827283e-07, "percentile": 0.9381915702421261 }, "sha256": "31c9e37da15f6023a35de5745f6eafbab896c7d16b9986c8e73daf841b769f66", "simhash": "1:3a33cf34c9d0b272", "word_count": 2474 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:38:52.620321+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges ORR and LEWIS concur." ], "parties": [ "SHIRLEY S. STALLINGS v. JERRY M. GUNTER, JERRY M. GUNTER, D.D.S., P.A., A Professional Corporation, ROY WILLIAM KELLY, JR., ROY WILLIAM KELLY, JR., D.D.S., P.A., A Professional Corporation" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "GREENE, Judge.\nPlaintiff appeals the trial court\u2019s grant of defendant\u2019s Rule 56 motion to dismiss her complaint based on the statute of repose for professional malpractice suits, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 l-15(c) (1988).\nThe record shows that plaintiff Shirley S. Stallings was a dental patient of defendants prior to the time of suit. Defendant Dr. Roy W. Kelly (\u201cKelly\u201d), a general dentist, provided dental treatment to plaintiff beginning in March, 1976. In 1981, plaintiff consulted with defendant Dr. Jerry M. Gunter (\u201cGunter\u201d), an orthodontist, about applying braces to plaintiff\u2019s teeth. Gunter applied the braces, and while plaintiff was wearing braces, Kelly provided dental treatment to plaintiff on 12 November 1982, 3 October 1983, 7 May 1984, and 17 July 1984. Gunter removed plaintiff\u2019s braces on 23 January 1985. On 25 January 1985, a dental hygienist in Kelly\u2019s office cleaned plaintiff\u2019s teeth and took bite-wing radiographic (x-ray) photographs. On 6 February 1985, Kelly had a full series of x-rays of plaintiff\u2019s teeth taken and developed, which showed \u201csignificant resorption or dissolving of the roots\u201d of' plaintiff\u2019s teeth. Kelly immediately informed plaintiff of the damage and referred her tg a dental specialist, Dr. Evangelo Vagianos, for treatment of the root problems, who provided further dental treatment. Plaintiff continued to receive dental treatment from Kelly on these dates: 10 April 1985 (Kelly filled a tooth cavity in plaintiff\u2019s teeth); 19 March 1986 (Kelly examined plaintiff\u2019s teeth when she presented herself without appointment); 17 July 1986 (Kelly examined plaintiff\u2019s teeth); and 12 November 1986 (Kelly \u201csplinted\u201d plaintiff\u2019s front teeth at the request of Dr. Vagianos).\nOn 30 December 1987, plaintiff filed suit against Gunter and his professional corporation. Gunter answered, denying plaintiff\u2019s allegations and asserting statutes of limitation and repose in bar of plaintiff\u2019s suit.\nPlaintiff deposed Kelly on 20 January 1989, producing these questions and answers:\nQ. Do you consider it to be any part of your responsibility to ascertain the level of Mrs. Stallings\u2019 periodontal disease during the course of orthodontic treatment, to ascertain whether her overall dental picture was being aggravated or affected as a result of her ongoing orthodontic treatment?\nA. Yes.\nQ. Do you feel that anything that you did or failed to do, or anything that you saw or failed to see, in association with any of the evaluations that you conducted of her during the time that orthodontic treatment was being rendered, was a departure from standards of care applicable to your practice?\nA. Yes.\nOn 10 March 1989, plaintiff moved to amend her complaint to add Kelly and his professional corporation as defendants. The court allowed plaintiff\u2019s motion the same day and she filed an amended complaint on 10 March 1989, alleging that defendant\u2019s careless, negligent and reckless \u201cfailure] to inform the plaintiff [of the possible injuries associated with orthodontic treatment], . . . failure] to monitor the plaintiff\u2019s peridontal condition . . . to consult with . . . Gunter or refer the plaintiff or to provide appropriate treatment\u201d from approximately December, 1981 until SO July 1985, caused \u201csevere damage\u201d to her teeth, as well as pain and suffering and monetary damages.\n\u00ab\nDefendant Kelly and his corporate defendant moved to dismiss plaintiff\u2019s complaint according to Rule 12(b)(6), asserting that the \u201clast act\u201d allegedly causing plaintiff\u2019s damage occurred on 17 July 1984, so that N.C.G.S. \u00a7 l-15(c) required plaintiff to file suit against Kelly within four years of that date, 17 July 1988, and her failure to do so barred her suit against these defendants.\nThe trial court received and considered \u201cmaterials outside of the pleadings in this cause\u201d including plaintiff\u2019s affidavit, and depositions by defendant Kelly and plaintiff\u2019s dental specialist. Because it considered these materials, the court heard defendants\u2019 motion as one for summary judgment according to Rule 56. The court concluded that the \u201clast act of the Kelly defendants which gave rise to the plaintiff\u2019s cause of action occurred no later than January 25, 1985 . . The court further concluded that plaintiff\u2019s action was barred by operation of G.S. \u00a7 l-15(c) \u201cfrom maintaining an action against the Kelly defendants after January 25, 1989, or four years from the last act of the Kelly defendants which gave rise to the plaintiff\u2019s cause of action.\u201d\nAfter plaintiff gave notice of appeal, plaintiff settled her causes of action against defendants Gunter and Gunter\u2019s professional corporation.\nThe issues are: (I) whether the professional malpractice statute of repose bars plaintiff\u2019s suit because plaintiff failed to bring suit within four years of defendant\u2019s \u2018last act\u2019 of malpractice; and (II) whether the statute of repose was tolled because of defendant\u2019s alleged concealment of his alleged negligent acts.\nThis appeal presents only issues related to the statute of repose, since the trial court found \u201cgenuine issues of material fact as to whether the action is barred by the statute of limitations . . .\u201d The \u2018statute of repose,\u2019 as it has become known, provides in part:\nExcept where otherwise provided by statute, a cause of action for malpractice arising out of the performance of or failure to perform professional services shall be deemed to accrue at the time of occurrence of the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action . . . [provided further, that in no event shall an action be commenced more than four years from the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action . . .\nN.C.G.S. \u00a7 1-15(c) (emphasis added).\nI\nPlaintiff argues that the \u201ccontinuing course of treatment\u201d doctrine applies to the statute of repose and that pursuant to the doctrine, the statute of repose began running on 12 November 1986, the last time defendant treated plaintiff. Because plaintiff filed her action against Kelly on 10 March 1989, well within four years of 12 November 1986, plaintiff contends that the statute of repose does not bar the action. In opposition, defendant Kelly argues that the statute of repose began to run no later than 25 January 1985, and since plaintiff filed her action more than four years after 25 January 1985, the statute of repose bars the action.\nN.C.G.S. \u00a7 145(c) is a \u201c \u2018hybrid\u2019 \u201d statute having both a substantive and procedural effect. Bolick v. American Barmag Corp., 306 N.C. 364, 367, 293 S.E.2d 415, 418 (1982) (citation omitted). The substantive component of the statute is known as a statute of repose and provides that \u201cin no event shall an action be commenced more than four years from the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action . . .\u201d N.C.G.S. \u00a7 145(c). The procedural component of \u00a7 145(c) is known as the statute of limitation and provides that a cause of action for malpractice is \u201cdeemed to accrue with the time of occurrence of the last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action . . Id.\nTraditionally, statutes of repose begin \u201c \u2018to run at a time unrelated to the traditional accrual of the cause of action.\u2019 \u201d Bolick, at 366, 293 S.E.2d at 418 (citation omitted). Application of this traditional rule led to the not uncommon result that the statute of repose barred plaintiff\u2019s cause of action before the cause of action had accrued for purposes of the statute of limitation. See Black v. Littlejohn, 312 N.C. 626, 633, 325 S.E.2d 469, 475 (1985). However, after the North Carolina legislature amended \u00a7 145(c), the starting date for running of the statute of repose became the same date as that for accrual of the cause of action, \u201cthe last act of the defendant giving rise to the cause of action.\u201d Therefore, pursuant to \u00a7 145(c), the current statute of repose cannot expire before accrual of the action.\nThe \u201ccontinuing course of treatment\u201d doctrine has been accepted as an exception to the rule that \u201cthe action accrues at the time of the defendant\u2019s negligence.\u201d Ballenger v. Crowell, 38 N.C. App. 50, 58, 247 S.E.2d 287, 293 (1978). According to this doctrine, the action accrues at the conclusion of the physician\u2019s treatment of the patient, so long as the patient has remained under the continuous treatment of the physician for the injuries which gave rise to the cause of action. Id.; see generally, Comment, The Continuous Treatment Doctrine: A Toll on the Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice in New York, 49 Albany L.Rev. 64, 65 (1984) (hereafter \u201cComment\u201d). It is not necessary under this doctrine that the treatment rendered subsequent to the negligent act itself be negligent, if the physician continued to treat the patient for the particular disease or condition created by the original act of negligence. Callahan v. Rogers, 89 N.C. App. 250, 255, 365 S.E.2d 717, 719 (1988) (treatment \u201cafter\u201d the negligent act is within the \u2018continuing course of treatment\u2019 doctrine); see Grubbs v. Rawls, 235 Va. 607, 613, 369 S.E.2d 683, 687 (1988) (plaintiff could wait until the end of treatment \u201cto complain of any negligence which occurred during that treatment\u201d) (emphasis in original); see also Holdridge v. Heyer-Schulte Corp., 440 F.Supp. 1088, 1098 (1977) (the \u2018continuing course of treatment\u2019 doctrine is applicable \u201ceven if there are no further acts of malpractice in the continued treatment\u201d); Comment, at 77, n.51 (the \u201csubsequent treatment does not have to be negligent\u201d).\nTo take advantage of the \u2018continuing course of treatment\u2019 doctrine, plaintiff must \u201cshow the existence of a continuing relationship with his physician, and . . . that he received subsequent treatment from that physician.\u201d Id., at 72 (emphases added). Mere continuity of the general physician-patient relationship is insufficient to permit one to take advantage of the continuing course of treatment doctrine. Callahan, at 255, 365 S.E.2d at 720. Subsequent treatment must consist of \u201ceither an affirmative act or an omission, [which] must be related to the original act, omission, or failure which gave rise to the cause of action.\u201d Comment, at 76-77; see Callahan, at 255, 365 S.E.2d at 720 (the treatment must be \u201cfor the same injury\u201d); see also 1 D. Louisell & H. Williams, Medical Malpractice \u00a7 13.08 (1981) (the statute is tolled as long as the patient receives treatment from the doctor \u201cfor the particular disease or condition\u201d created by the negligent act). However, plaintiff is not entitled to the benefits of the \u2018continuing course of treatment\u2019 doctrine if during the course of the treatment plaintiff knew or should have known of his or her injuries. Ballenger, at 60, 247 S.E.2d at 294; Louisell & Williams, at \u00a7 13.08.\nBecause the \u2018continuing course of treatment\u2019 doctrine affects determination of the accrual date, and the accrual date under \u00a7 l-15(c) is the starting date for the running of the statute of limitation and statute of repose, it is correct to use the \u2018continuing course of treatment\u2019 doctrine to determine the start date for running of the statute of repose. It is only by using the doctrine that a court can determine defendant\u2019s relevant \u2018last act.\u2019\nHaving determined that it is correct to apply the \u2018continuing course of treatment\u2019 doctrine to determine the starting point for the statute of repose, we also determine that plaintiff does not have the benefit of the \u2018continuing course of treatment\u2019 doctrine after 6 February 1985, because on 6 February 1985, defendant informed plaintiff of her problems with her teeth and gums. Therefore, that is the date that plaintiff knew of her injuries and she no longer had the benefit of the doctrine. Even if we applied the doctrine, 6 February 1985 was the last date of defendant Kelly\u2019s treatment acts or omissions related in any manner to defendant Kelly\u2019s alleged original negligent acts of failing to inform plaintiff of the \u201cnumerous problems that could result and did result from orthodontic treatment in her case when he knew that she was going to undergo orthodontic treatment.\u201d Since plaintiff filed suit on 10 March 1989, defendant Kelly\u2019s \u2018last act\u2019 had to occur no earlier than 10 March 1985 for plaintiff to bring suit within the four-year statute of repose time limit, but its occurrence on 6 February 1985 bars her action. Accordingly, the statute of repose began to run no later than 6 February 1985, and plaintiff\u2019s failure to file her action within four years of that date is fatal to her cause of action.\nII\nPlaintiff argues in the alternative that the statute of repose should be tolled by defendant Kelly\u2019s alleged fraudulent concealment of his negligent acts. We disagree.\nFraudulent concealment can operate to toll the running of the statute of limitation after the action has accrued. Connor v. Schenck, 240 N.C. 794, 795, 84 S.E.2d 175, 176 (1954). However, whether fraudulent concealment can toll the running of the statute of repose after accrual of the action presents a different question. Substantive rights, such as those created by the statute of repose are not subject to tolling. See Restatement of Law 2d, Torts \u00a7 899, Comment g (1979). Accordingly, fraudulent concealment, which is an affirmative defense not pled in this case, cannot operate to toll the running of the statute of repose.\nAffirmed.\nJudges ORR and LEWIS concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "GREENE, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Kelso & Ferguson, by Lloyd T. Kelso, for plaintiff-appellant.", ", Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, by James P. Cooney III, for defendant-appellees Roy William Kelly, Jr. and Roy William Kelly, Jr., D.D.S., P.A." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "SHIRLEY S. STALLINGS v. JERRY M. GUNTER, JERRY M. GUNTER, D.D.S., P.A., A Professional Corporation, ROY WILLIAM KELLY, JR., ROY WILLIAM KELLY, JR., D.D.S., P.A., A Professional Corporation\nNo. 8927SC1251\n(Filed 7 August 1990)\n1. Physicians, Surgeons, and Allied Professions \u00a7 13 (NCI3d) \u2014 professional malpractice \u2014 statute of repose \u2014 continuing course of treatment doctrine\nThe \u201ccontinuing course of treatment\u201d doctrine may be used in determining the starting date for the professional malpractice statute of repose set forth in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 145(c).\nAm Jur 2d, Physicians, Surgeons, and Other Healers \u00a7\u00a7 320-322.\n2. Physicians, Surgeons, and Allied Professions \u00a7 13 (NCI3d) \u2014 malpractice by dentist \u2014 continuing course of treatment \u2014 start of statute of repose\nIn a malpractice action against a dentist based on his alleged failure to inform plaintiff of possible injuries from orthodontic treatment and to monitor her periodontal condition, the continuing course of treatment doctrine did not postpone the starting point for the statute of repose after 6 February 1985, the date defendant informed plaintiff of her injuries and the last date of any acts or omissions by defendant related to plaintiff\u2019s allegations of negligence. Accordingly, plaintiff\u2019s failure to file her action within four years after 6 February 1985 was fatal to her action. N.C.G.S. \u00a7 145(c).\nAm Jur 2d, Physicians, Surgeons, and Other Healers \u00a7\u00a7 320-322.\n3. Limitation of Actions \u00a7 8.1 (NCI3d); Physicians, Surgeons, and Allied Professions \u00a7 13 (NCI3d)\u2014 medical malpractice \u2014 statute of repose \u2014fraudulent concealment\nFraudulent concealment cannot toll the running of the statute of repose after a medical malpractice claim has accrued.\nAm Jur 2d, Physicians, Surgeons, and Other Healers \u00a7\u00a7 320-322.\nAPPEAL by plaintiff from order entered 20 June 1989 by Judge Kenneth A. Griffin in GASTON County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 11 May 1990.\nKelso & Ferguson, by Lloyd T. Kelso, for plaintiff-appellant.\n, Kennedy Covington Lobdell & Hickman, by James P. Cooney III, for defendant-appellees Roy William Kelly, Jr. and Roy William Kelly, Jr., D.D.S., P.A." }, "file_name": "0710-01", "first_page_order": 740, "last_page_order": 746 }