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SU\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X75+ ` hp x 5  &  d dD)1dxd<:zTop of For7G(X7    5+ ` hp x 5?W%2A`Arial?  SU\  `&Times New RomanS7Z(X75+ ` hp x 5  D)2dxd0KS.SampleKT<6X9`(Courier NewKSU\  `&Times New RomanS0.Strong 8dl6TypewriterKT<6X9`(Courier NewKSU\  `&Times New RomanS42Variable: 8HTML MarkupB      2 0CommentB   !"#$ 35;AGMSY_11.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.(O$3#37=CIQYag1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(#$  0  (|G2$ !.8ydd8         0  4Pi)<6X9`(Courier New\  `&Times New Roman d%2A`Arial(|3O$ !.8ydd8     VVVV'dxd)!dxdx( $ Figure  1   Shipley P.J.GasawayHadleyherniationlamiaotony intrapertonealrefiledneurosurgicaldispositiveAlmanDonnelly S.WAss'nMilomDellingerlaminectomieslicensureLippitt^_X`YE<<CLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3O$ !.8ydd8     ($$   1  X[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8C HKKKK  R$      2  4  _Tenn.CodeAnn.2926115(b)provides:  Nopersoninahealthcareprofessionrequiringlicensureunderthelawsofthisstateshallbecompetenttotestifyinany  courtoflawtoestablishthefactsrequiredtobeestablishedbysubsection(a),unlessthepersonwaslicensedtopractice H inthestateoracontiguousborderingstateaprofessionorspecialtywhichwouldmakethepersonsexperttestimony  L relevanttotheissuesinthecaseandhadpracticedthisprofessionorspecialtyinone(1)ofthesestatesduringtheyear  precedingthedatethattheallegedinjuryorwrongfulactoccurred....  Tenn.CodeAnn.29-26-115(a)-(b)  R$      1  4  _Tenn.Ct.App.R.10provides:  TheCourt,withtheconcurrenceofalljudgesparticipatinginthecase,mayaffirm,reverseormodifytheactionsofthe  trialcourtbymemorandumopinionwhenaformalopinionwouldhavenoprecedentialvalue.Whenacaseisdecided H bymemorandumopinion,itshallbedesignated MEMORANDUMOPINION,shallnotbepublished,andshallnot  L becitedorreliedonforanyreasoninanyunrelatedcase.   !.8ydd8     _  y8XXdd8  @ yINTHECOURTOFAPPEALSOFTENNESSEE  @kk$ATNASHVILLE#y(#Ԉ &   August5,2002Session  L XXy #yXX#MARYB.HARRISv.STEVENR.ABRAM,etal.XXy   J @@ AppealfromtheCircuitCourtforDavidsonCounty  J @@No.00C3570MariettaShipley,Judge  6 @@*AV) ` dE< ` A    @@TTNo.M200102192_COA_ԄR3CVFiledNovember22,_2004_   AV) ` dE<` A      Theplaintifffiledthismedicalmalpracticeactionagainstherneurosurgeonandhispracticeafter   hercolonwasperforatedduringasurgicalprocedureonherspine.Thedefendantsfiledamotion   forsummaryjudgmentsupportedbyanaffidavitoftheneurosurgeonstatingthathecompliedwith t therecognizedstandardofacceptableprofessionalpracticeapplicabletoneurosurgeons.The ` plaintifffiledaresponserelyingonthedepositionsofherownexperttorefutetheneurosurgeons L affidavit.Thetrialcourtdeterminedthattheopinionoftheplaintiffsexpertfailedtomeetthe 8x requirementsofTenn.CodeAnn.29-26-115(a)(1)and(2)andgrantedthemotionforsummary $d judgment.Weaffirm.#yXX#XXy P  Tenn.R.App.P.3AppealasofRight;JudgmentoftheCircuitCourtAffirmed  (   #yXM#XX.yBenH.Cantrell,P.J.,M.S.,PatriciaJ.Cottrell,J.,andJohnH.Gasaway,III,Sp.J.,delivered  theopinionofthecourt.  HughP.Garner,Chattanooga,Tennessee,fortheappellant,MaryB.Harris.  C.J.GideonandEdwardA.Hadley,Nashville,Tennessee,fortheappellees,StevenR.Abram,and \ NeurologicalSurgeons,P.C. H    MEMORANDUMOPINION UXXXXd Q#  1      #XXXUX. ##yXX- # XXy  "`" #yXX #  XXy@) I.  #8 $   OnMarch19,1997,MaryB.HarriswasadmittedtoSt.ThomasHospitalsufferingfrom Z%!& severelowerbackandleftlegpain.ShewasseenbyDr.StevenR.Abrams,aneurosurgeon,who F&"' diagnosedherwitharecurrentherniationwithfreefragmentationofthevertebraldiscatL4L5.The 2'r#( followingday,Dr.AbramsperformedalumbarlaminectomyonMs.Harris.Followingthesurgery, (^$) Ms.Harriscomplainedofsevereabdominalpain.ACTscanofherabdomenrevealedfree  _intraperitoneal_Ԁandpelvicfluid.Dr.EugeneP.Chambersimmediatelyperformedexploratory  surgerywhichrevealedasmallbowelperforation.Dr.Chambersperformedabowelresectionto  repairtheperforation,andMs.HarriswasdischargedfromSt.ThomasHospitalonMarch31,1997.    In1998,Ms.HarrisfiledacomplaintagainstDr.AbramsandNeurologicalSurgery,P.C. \ assertingthatDr.Abrams violatedthestandardofcareforspinalsurgerywhenhecutintoand H  perforatedthebowel.ThecasewastriedinDecemberof1999.Atthecloseoftheplaintiffsproof, 4 t thetrialcourtgrantedthedefendantsmotionforadirectedverdictwithrespecttoMs.Harriss  ` claimsforlostincome,lostearnings,andmedicalandhospitalexpenses.Thetrialcourttookthe  L  remainderofthedefendantsmotionforadirectedverdictunderadvisement.Thefollowing  8  morningMs.Harrisvoluntarilydismissedherremainingclaimforpersonalinjury.  $    OnDecember7,2000,Ms.HarrisrefiledessentiallythesamecomplaintagainstDr.Abrams   andNeurologicalSurgery,P.C.OnJanuary26,2001,thedefendantsfiledamotionforsummary   judgmentassertingthat(1)theplaintiffsclaimsforlostincome,lostearnings,andmedicaland   hospitalexpensesarebarredbythedoctrinesofresjudicataandcollateralestoppelduetothe  directedverdictinthepriorsuitand(2)Dr.Abramscompliedwiththerecognizedstandardof l acceptableprofessionalpracticeapplicabletoneurosurgeonspracticinginNashville,Tennessee. X ThemotionwassupportedbytheaffidavitofDr.Abrams.Theplaintiffrespondedbysubmitting D twodepositionsofDr.AlanB.Lippitt,anorthopedicsurgeonpracticinginAtlanta,Georgia. 0p   Thetrialcourtfirstdeterminedthattheplaintiffsclaimsforlostincome,lostearnings,and H medicalandhospitalexpensesweredeterminedinthefirstsuitandcannotberevivedbyavoluntary 4 nonsuit.ThetrialcourtthenconcludedthatDr.Lippittfailedto opineexactlywhatthestandard   ofcareisandthatthedefendantactedwithlessthanorfailedtoactwithordinaryandreasonable   careinaccordancewithsuchstandard.Thetrialcourtgrantedthemotionforsummaryjudgment  anddismissedthecaseonAugust3,2001.  @) II.  | @*  Theplaintiffraisestwoissuesonappeal: T  8  8`   (1) Whetherthetrialcourterredinholdingthatthedirected ,"l! verdictinthe firstcaseastoplaintiffsclaimforlostwages, #X" medicalexpensesandfuturemedicalexpensesprecludedplaintiff $D # fromclaimingthosesamedamageswherenocertificationwasmade $0!$ pursuanttoRule54.02oftheTennesseeRulesofCivilProcedure.%"%` x` x 8  8`   (2) Whetherthetrialcourterredinholdingthatplaintiffsexpert '#' witnesswasnotcompetenttoofferproofsufficienttorefute ($( DefendantAbramsaffidavitthathecompliedwiththestandardof )%) carebecausePlaintiffsexpertdidnotpracticethespecialtyof x*&*  neurosurgeryin1997,wasnotawareoftheneurosurgicalstandardof d+'+ careinAtlantaorNashville,andcouldnotstatewheretheDefendant  deviatedfromthestandardofcare.` x` x    Weaddressthesecondissuefirst.    Summaryjudgmentsenablecourtstoconcludecasesthatcanandshouldberesolvedon \ dispositivelegalissues.Byrdv.Hall,847S.W.2d208,210(Tenn.1993);AirportProps.Ltd.v.Gulf H  CoastDev.,Inc.,900S.W.2d695,697(Tenn.Ct.App.1995).Theyareappropriateonlywhenthe 4 t movingpartycandemonstratethatnogenuineissuesofmaterialfactexistandthatheorsheis  ` entitledtojudgmentasamatteroflaw.Tenn.R.Civ.P.56.04;Byrd,847S.W.2dat210;Planet  L  Rock,Inc.v.RegisIns.Co.,6S.W.3d484,490(Tenn.Ct.App.1999).Becausesummaryjudgments  8  presentpurequestionsoflaw,ourreviewisdenovowithnopresumptionofcorrectnessastothe  $  trialcourtsjudgment.Gonzalesv.AlmanConstr.Co.,857S.W.2d42,44(Tenn.Ct.App.1993).     Medicalmalpracticecasesmaybeadjudicatedbysummaryjudgmentinproper   circumstances.Donnellyv.Walter,959S.W.2d166,168(Tenn.Ct.App.1997);Estateof   Hendersonv.Mire,955S.W.2d56,59-60(Tenn.Ct.App.1997).Adefendantseekingsummary  judgmentinamedicalmalpracticecasebearstheburdenofshowingthatnogenuineissuesof l materialfactexistandthatitisentitledtoajudgmentasamatteroflaw.Thedefendantmaymeet X thisburdenbydemonstratingthattheplaintiffwillbeunabletoproveanessentialelementofhisor D hercase,Byrd,847S.W.2dat212-13,becausetheinabilitytoproveanessentialelementofaclaim 0p necessarilyrendersallotherfactsimmaterial.Alexanderv.MemphisIndividualPracticeAssn,870 \ S.W.2d278,280(Tenn.1993);Straussv.Wyatt,Tarrant,Combs,Gilbert&Milom,911S.W.2d H 727,729(Tenn.Ct.App.1995).Onceadefendanthasnegatedanessentialelementoftheplaintiffs 4 claim,theplaintiffmaynotrestonhisorherpleadingbutmustrespondwithappropriateevidentiary   materialsdemonstratingthatthereisagenuineissueoffactfortrial.Fowlerv.HappyGoodman   Family,575S.W.2d496,498(Tenn.1978);Dellingerv.Pierce,848S.W.2d654,656(Tenn.Ct.  App.1992).  @^^( III.  |    `     h   Aplaintiffsburdenofproofinamedicalmalpracticecaseisgovernedbystatute.Tenn. T  CodeAnn.29-26-115(a)(Supp.2003)requirestheplaintifftoprove,throughexperttestimony,the @!  following: ,"l! 8  8`   (1) Therecognizedstandardofacceptableprofessionalpractice $D # intheprofessionandthespecialtythereof,ifany,thatthedefendant $0!$ practicesinthecommunityinwhichthedefendantpracticesorina %"% similarcommunityatthetimetheallegedinjuryorwrongfulaction &#& occurred;'#'` x` x 8  8`   (2) Thatthedefendantactedwithlessthanorfailedtoactwith )%) ordinaryandreasonablecareinaccordancewithsuchstandard;andx*&*` x` x   d+'+ 8  8`   (3) Asaproximateresultofthedefendantsnegligentactor   omission,theplaintiffsufferedinjurieswhichwouldnototherwise  haveoccurred.` x` x     ThetrialcourtdeterminedthatDr.Lippitt simplyfailedtomeetprongs1and2ofthe p statuteandfounditunnecessarytoaddressthethirdelement.Weagree. \   Dr.Abramsaffidavitstatesthathecompliedwiththerecognizedstandardofacceptable 4 t professionalpracticeapplicabletoneurosurgeonspracticinginNashville,Tennesseein1997andthat  ` nothinghedidorfailedtodocausedMs.Harristosufferanyinjurythatwouldnothaveotherwise  L  occurred.BecauseDr.Abramsaffidavitnegatedtheessentialelementsoftheplaintiffscaseset  8  forthinTenn.CodeAnn.29-26-115(a)(1)and(2),theburdenshiftedtotheplaintifftosetforth,  $  throughexpertmedicaltestimony,specificfactsshowingthatagenuineissueofmaterialfactexists   astothosetwoelements.ThedispositiveissueonappealiswhetherthedepositionsofDr.Lippitt   submittedinoppositiontothedefendantsmotionforsummaryjudgmentestablishagenuinedispute   ofmaterialfactwithrespecttothosetwoelementssufficienttorendersummarydisposition   inappropriate.    Dr.LippittisanorthopedicsurgeonpracticinginAtlanta,Georgia.Althoughorthopedic X surgeonsperformlumbarlaminectomies,Dr.Lippitthasnotperformedoneinoverten_years_Ԁbuthas D actedasafirstassistanttoaneurosurgeoninsuchsurgeries.Dr.Abrams,ontheotherhand,isa 0p neurosurgeonpracticinginNashville,Tennessee.Tenn.CodeAnn.29-26-115(a)(1)requiresthe \ plaintifftoprove,byexperttestimony, therecognizedstandardofacceptableprofessionalpractice H intheprofessionandthespecialtythereof,ifany,thatthedefendantpracticesinthecommunityin 4 whichthedefendantpracticesorinasimilarcommunityatthetimetheallegedinjuryorwrongful   actionoccurred.Dr.Lippitthoweverdiscussedanationalstandardofcareforperformingalumbar   laminectomy.Heconcededthathewas notawareoftheneurosurgicalstandardofcarein  Nashville,Tennessee.      Inaddition,Dr.LippittpresumedthatDr.Abramsdeviatedfromthestandardofcaresolely | becauseMs.Harrissbowelwasinjuredduringthesurgery.However,adefendantwillnotbe h presumednegligent,andinjuryalonedoesnotraiseapresumptionofthedefendantsnegligence. T  Tenn.CodeAnn.29-26-115(c)&(d);EstateofHendersonv.Mire,955S.W.2d56(Tenn.Ct. @!  App.1997).Theplaintiffmustsetforth,byexperttestimony,specificfactsdemonstratingthatthe ,"l! defendantactedwithlessthanorfailedtoactwithordinaryandreasonablecareinaccordancewith #X" therecognizedstandardofcare.f  g ԀDr.Lippittadmittedhe cannotidentifyasinglethingthatDr. $D # Abramsdidorfailedtodothatweredeviationsfromthestandardofcareandconcededthatabowel $0!$ perforation canhappenunderthebestofcircumstances. %"%   WehavereviewedDr.Lippittsdepositionsandhavedeterminedthattheyfailtosetforth '#' specificfactsestablishingthestandardofcareforneurosurgeonsinNashville,Tennesseeorasimilar ($( community.Moreover,Dr.LippittsdepositionsdonotsetforthspecificfactsshowingthatDr. )%) Abramsactedwithlessthanorfailedtoactwithordinaryandreasonablecareinaccordancewith x*&*  thestandardofcare.Accordingly,Dr.Lippittstestimonysimplyfailstoraiseagenuineissueof d+'+ materialfactastowhethertherequirementsofTenn.CodeAnn.2926115(a)(1)and(2)have  beenmet.        WenotethatwehavenotdeterminedthatDr.Lippittisincompetenttoofferproofinthis  casepursuanttoTenn.CodeAnn.2926115(b)c Q#  2      .Indeed,Tenn.CodeAnn.2926115(b)only p requiresthatanexpertbelicensedandpracticinginaspecialtywhichwouldmakehisorher \ testimonyrelevanttotheissuesinthecase.Thestatutedoesnotrequireanexperttopracticeinthe H  samespecialtyasthedefendant.ThefactthatDr.Lippittdidnotpracticeneurosurgeryorperform 4 t laminectomiesdoesnotnecessarilyrenderhimincompetenttotestifyregardinganyofthefactors  ` setforthinTenn.CodeAnn.2926115(a).Rather,summaryjudgmentisappropriatebecausethe  L  depositionsofDr.Lippittfailtoestablishagenuineissueofmaterialfactregardingeitherthe  8  recognizedstandardofcareforneurosurgeonsinNashvilleorthefailureofDr.Abramstoactin  $  accordancewiththatstandardasrequiredbyTenn.CodeAnn.2926115(a).     Becausetheplaintifffailedtocomeforthwithexpertmedicaltestimonyestablishing   requiredelementsofhercasewhenfacedwiththedefendantstestimonynegatingthoseelements,   thetrialcourtdidnoterringrantingsummaryjudgmenttothedefendant.Inlightofthisconclusion,  weneednotaddresstheplaintiffsotherissueregardingwhetherthedirectedverdictinthepriorcase l precludestheplaintifffromraisingthesameclaimsforlostwages,medicalexpensesandfuture X medicalexpensesinthiscase. D    `  @dd) IV.  \   Weaffirmthejudgmentofthetrialcourtandremandthecasetothetrialcourtforsuch 4 furtherproceedingsasmaybenecessary.WealsotaxthecostsoftheappealtoMaryB.Harrisand   hersuretyforwhichexecution,ifnecessary,mayissue.      `     h     PERCURIAM