New Health Care Liability Action Opinion: Summary Judgment for Defendant Reversed Because Plaintiff Demonstrated That There Was a Genuine Issue of Material Fact as to the Applicable Standard of Care, Its Breach, and Causation; Intervening and Superseding Cause Does Not Exist at Present

The Tennessee Court of Appeals recently released its decision in Davis v. Ellis, No. W2019-01367-COA-R3-CV (Tenn. Ct. App. Nov. 5, 2020).  The syllabus from the slip opinion reads:

This is a health care liability case. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Appellee/doctor finding that Appellant’s expert witness failed to connect the decedent’s death to Appellee’s alleged deviation from the standard of care. We conclude that Appellant presented sufficient evidence, at the summary judgment stage, to create a dispute of fact concerning deviation from the standard of care and causation. Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s grant of summary judgment. 

Here is a link to the decision:

http://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/daviskerryopn.pdf.

NOTE: This is a must-read opinion for any lawyer who practices in the area of health care liability (f.k.a., medical malpractice) where the case is governed by Tennessee substantive law.  It addresses expert testimony as to the applicable standard of care, causation of injury, and intervening-superseding causes, which makes it a great primer for a new lawyer and a great refresher for the seasoned practitioner.