Date: 07-14-2009

Case Style: Adriana Lee v. Detroit Medical Center and Children's Hospital, et al.

Case Number: 282268

Judge: Owens

Court: Michigan Court of Appeals on appeal from the Circuit court of Wayne County

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Defendant's Attorney:

Description: Plaintiff, Adriana Lee, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Rufus Young, Jr., appeals as of right the trial court’s November 13, 2007 order granting defendants Detroit Medical Center (DMC), Children’s Hospital, Dr. Ahm Mahbobul Huq, Dr. Jayshree Rao, and Dr. Vince Truong summary disposition and dismissing plaintiff’s statutory liability claims against them without prejudice. Defendants DMC and Children’s Hospital cross-appeal, arguing that the trial court erred in denying their motion for summary disposition as to plaintiff’s vicarious liability claims. We affirm in part and reverse in part and remand.

I. Facts and Procedural History

This case arises from the murder of plaintiff’s four-year-old brother, Rufus Young, Jr., while in the care of his foster parents, Tara and Roderick Hall. Rufus Young, Jr., was born September 28, 1998, to Lynda Lee and Rufus Young, Sr. Lee used crack cocaine and alcohol during her pregnancy, and Rufus Jr. tested positive for cocaine at birth.

After years1 of involvement by the Family Independence Agency (FIA)2 and Child Protective Services (CPS), Rufus Jr. and his four siblings were removed from their biological parents in March 2002 because of child neglect.3

Rufus Jr. and his sister, Junette, were initially placed in the foster home of Sonceria Cooperwood. Cooperwood recalled that Rufus Jr. had urinary problems, eczema,4 and dental problems while in her care. She also noted that Rufus Jr. had a hearty appetite and that, at night, he would take food from the refrigerator and hide it under his pillow. Cooperwood took Rufus Jr. to the emergency room at Children’s Hospital on March 25, 2002, because of a rash on his face and trunk. He was diagnosed with contact dermatitis. On April 3, 2002, Rufus Jr. was examined by Dr. Anthony Clarke, a pediatrician, who also noted that Rufus had eczema, as well as enuresis,5 and that he ate until he vomited and hoarded food.

In late April 2002, Cooperwood became unable to care for the children, and they were placed with Tara and Roderick Hall on April 23, 2002. At the time of placement with the Halls, Rufus Jr. was described as “chunky.” In subsequent updated services plans, Rufus Jr. was described as “robust . . . [with] an enormously healthy appetite.” However, as of January 2003, Rufus Jr.’s weight had dropped to 28 pounds.

On January 2, 2003, Rufus Jr. was taken to his family doctor, Dr. Dennis Treece, due to multiple concerns, including Rufus Jr.’s refusal to toilet train, his inability to gain weight, and his weight loss. Dr. Treece referred Rufus Jr. for a developmental assessment at Children’s Hospital for his “failure to thrive.”

On February 15, 2003, Drs. Rao and Truong saw Rufus Jr. in the emergency room of Children’s Hospital. Dr. Truong, a first-year resident at the time, did the initial physical examination of Rufus Jr.. He then advised Dr. Rao of his findings, and she conducted her own physical examination of Rufus Jr. Tara Hall advised the doctors that she was there for a second opinion on why Rufus Jr. was not growing and because Rufus Jr. was having tremors. She gave a history of tremors, weight loss, and she advised of the upcoming appointment at Children’s Hospital regarding his failure to thrive. Tara Hall also advised that there was a history of physical abuse by the biological parents, as well as drug and alcohol exposure at birth.

In his report, Dr. Truong noted that Rufus Jr.’s skin had “multiple bruising suggesting history of abuse.” Dr. Truong testified that he observed both old and new bruises on Rufus Jr.. He further noted that Rufus Jr. was withdrawn, underweight, and mildly shaking during the exam. Dr. Truong testified that he did not suspect any abuse by the foster mother because she seemed very concerned, very genuine, and very caring. He did not feel that filing a Form 32006 was warranted in this case because the history given by Tara Hall was consistent with his findings, so he had no suspicion of foul play.

Dr. Rao signed off on Dr. Truong’s report, stating, “I find the history and physical examination to be consistent with that documented by the resident.” However, she testified that the note in Dr. Truong’s report, which states that there were bruises, was incorrect. She states that it should have said marks or scars,7 not bruises, because there were no bruises on Rufus Jr. And if there had been bruises on Rufus Jr., Dr. Rao noted that she would have contacted the hospital’s social worker. Like Dr. Truong, Dr. Rao did not suspect any abuse by the foster mother.

On February 25, 2003, Rufus Jr. was seen by Dr. Ahm Mahburol Huq, a neurologist at Children’s Hospital. Dr. Huq ordered further testing to determine the reason for Rufus Jr.’s failure to gain weight. Dr. Huq testified that he did not notice any bruises or marks on Rufus Jr., and he had no reason to suspect any ongoing or current abuse or neglect.

Rufus Jr. was again seen by Dr. Treece on March 5, 2003. Dr. Treece referred Rufus Jr. to Dr. Clarke for assistance with Rufus Jr.’s failure to thrive. Dr. Treece did not recall any marks or bruises on Rufus Jr. when he examined him.

On April 5, 2003, Rufus Jr. was left for the day with his foster father, Roderick Hall. Tara Hall returned late in the evening and went to bed. In the early morning of April 6, 2003, Rufus Jr. was found unresponsive in his bedroom. Paramedics were called, and Rufus Jr. was taken to Sinai-Grace Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was performed, revealing that Rufus Jr. died of cerebral edema that resulted from head trauma. The report noted that Rufus Jr. had suffered 11 blows to the head, as well as numerous blows to his body. His death was deemed a homicide. On April 8, 2003, Roderick Hall confessed. He was convicted of second-degree murder, and he was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison.

On December 20, 2004, plaintiff filed suit against defendants, alleging that defendants breached their statutory duty to report suspected child abuse and neglect under MCL 722.623 and 722.633.8 On July 3, 2007, defendants Dr. Rao, Dr. Huq, DMC, and Children’s Hospital moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7), (8), and (10), asserting that they were entitled to dismissal of plaintiff’s statutory claims because they were really claims for medical malpractice, requiring the filing of affidavits of merit under MCL 600.2912d. Dr. Truong concurred in this motion on July 6, 2007.

Dr. Huq filed a separate motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10), asserting that he was entitled to summary disposition because plaintiff’s experts testified that he was not required to file a report of suspected child abuse or neglect. Additionally, defendants DMC and Children’s Hospital also moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (8), arguing that they were entitled to dismissal of plaintiff’s vicarious liability claims because MCL 722.633 does not provide for liability for anyone other than the person who fails to report. Plaintiff opposed defendants’ motions. The trial court entered an order on November 13, 2007, dismissing without prejudice plaintiff’s statutory liability claims against defendants Dr. Rao, Dr. Huq, Dr. Truong, DMC, and Children’s Hospital and denying defendants’ DMC and Children’s Hospital’s motion to dismiss plaintiff’s vicarious liability claims, and this appeal followed.

II. Statutory Claim for Damages

Plaintiff argues that the trial court erred in dismissing plaintiff’s claims against defendants for breach of their statutory reporting duties. We agree. This Court reviews a trial court’s decision on a motion for summary disposition de novo. Feyz v Mercy Mem Hosp, 475 Mich 663, 672; 719 NW2d 1 (2006). “A motion for summary disposition brought [under] MCR 2.116(C)(8) tests the legal sufficiency of the complaint on the allegations of the pleadings alone.” Id. A motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(10) tests the factual sufficiency of the complaint. Corley v Detroit Bd of Ed, 470 Mich 274, 278; 681 NW2d 342 (2004). When reviewing a motion for summary disposition under (C)(10), this Court must consider the pleadings, affidavits, depositions, admissions, and other documentary evidence submitted in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Id.9

Plaintiff’s claim is based on defendants’ failure to report suspected abuse and neglect under MCL 722.623, which provides, in pertinent part, as follows:

(1) An individual is required to report under this act as follows:

(a) A physician, dentist, physician’s assistant, registered dental hygienist, medical examiner, nurse, person licensed to provide emergency medical care, audiologist, psychologist, marriage and family therapist, licensed professional counselor, social worker, licensed master’s social worker, licensed bachelor’s social worker, registered social service technician, social service technician, a person employed in a professional capacity in any office of the friend of the court, school administrator, school counselor or teacher, law enforcement officer, member of the clergy, or regulated child care provider who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect shall make immediately, by telephone or otherwise, an oral report, or cause an oral report to be made, of the suspected child abuse or neglect to the department. MCL 722.622 defines child abuse and child neglect as follows:

(f) “Child abuse” means harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare that occurs through nonaccidental physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or maltreatment, by a parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare, or by a teacher, a teacher’s aide, or a member of the clergy.

(j) “Child neglect” means harm or threatened harm to a child’s health or welfare by a parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare that occurs through either of the following:

(i) Negligent treatment, including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.

(ii) Placing a child at an unreasonable risk to the child’s health or welfare by the failure of the parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for the child’s health or welfare to intervene to eliminate that risk when that person is able to do so and has, or should have, knowledge of the risk.

MCL 722.633 sets forth the liability for failure to report:

(1) A person who is required by this act to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect and who fails to do so is civilly liable for the damages proximately caused by the failure.

(2) A person who is required by this act to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect and who knowingly fails to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00 or both.

Defendants assert that because the alleged failure to report occurred during medical treatment and required the use of defendants’ medical judgment, it is a medical malpractice claim, not an ordinary negligence claim. We disagree.

“The gravamen of an action is determined by reading the claim as a whole.” Simmons v Apex Drug Stores, Inc, 201 Mich App 250, 253; 596 NW2d 562 (1993). Further, our Supreme Court has articulated a two-part test to determine whether a claim sounds in ordinary negligence or medical malpractice. Kuznar v Raksha Corp, 481 Mich 169, 176-177; 750 NW2d 121 (2008), citing Bryant v Oakpointe Villa Nursing Ctr, Inc, 471 Mich 411, 422; 684 NW2d 864 (2004).

A medical malpractice claim is distinguished by two defining characteristics. First, medical malpractice can occur only “‘within the course of a professional relationship.”” Second, claims of medical malpractice necessarily “raise questions involving medical judgment.” Claims of ordinary negligence, by contrast, “raise issues that are within the common knowledge and experience of the [fact-finder].” Id. Therefore, a court must ask two fundamental questions in determining whether a claim sounds in ordinary negligence or medical malpractice: (1) whether the claim pertains to an action that occurred within the course of a professional relationship; and (2) whether the claim raises questions of medical judgment beyond the realm of common knowledge and experience. If both these questions are answered in the affirmative, the action is subject to the procedural and substantive requirements that govern medical malpractice actions. [Bryant, supra at 422 (citations omitted).]

In other words, if a jury can evaluate the reasonableness of an action only after the presentation of expert testimony, the claim sounds in medical malpractice. Id. at 423; see also Dorris v Detroit Osteopathic Hosp Corp, 460 Mich 26, 46; 594 NW2d 455 (1999). There is no dispute in this case that there was a professional, doctor-patient, relationship between the defendant doctors and Rufus Jr. See Dyer v Trachtman, 470 Mich 45, 50; 679 NW2d 311 (2004). Therefore, this case turns on the medical-judgment prong of the Bryant test.

Defendants contend that the determination as to whether there is “reasonable cause to suspect abuse” requires the use of medical judgment. However, the plain language of the statute contradicts defendants’ argument. The statute expressly states that it applies to more than just medical doctors. Indeed, it applies to several occupations outside of the medical field, e.g., social workers, any person employed in a professional capacity by any office of the friend of the court, school counselors and administrators, teachers, members of the clergy, and regulated child care providers. These persons do not have any medical education or training, and yet they also are mandated by statute to make the same determination based on the same standard: “reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect.” Therefore, because the same standard is applied to individuals outside the medical field, the determination as to whether there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse or neglect does not require the use of medical judgment.

Further, this Court has held that a person required to report under MCL 722.623 is not free to arrogate to himself the right to foreclose the possibility of a legal investigation by the state. People v Cavaiani, 172 Mich App 706, 715; 432 NW2d 409 (1988). Indeed, in Cavaiani, the defendant, a psychologist and family therapist, was told by his nine-year-old client that her father fondled her breasts. However, the defendant did not report the abuse because he was convinced, after talking with the father, that if there was any touching, it was accidental and not for sexual arousal or gratification. The defendant was charged with a misdemeanor under MCL 722.633 for failing to report the abuse. The trial court dismissed the charge against defendants, reasoning that the defendant may have concluded, based on his professional judgment, that the information supplied to him was inaccurate or a fantasy. This Court rejected the trial court’s reasoning, concluding that even if the defendant personally believed that there was no child abuse, he was still required to report the possibility and allow the state to investigate because the state has different interests. Id. at 715.

Likewise, in Williams v Coleman, 194 Mich App 606, 616-617; 488 NW2d 464 (1992), this Court rejected the defendant social workers’ argument that the decision to report involves significant decision making to assess the reasonableness and dependability of information, noting that Cavaiani refuted such an approach. Therefore, doctors are left with little, if any, discretion in reporting. Rather, if there is any “reasonable cause to suspect” [emphasis added] abuse or neglect, the doctor must report it immediately and let CPS investigate the case to determine the validity of the information provided.10

We also note that the Child Protection Law contains civil and criminal liability provisions (MCL 722.633) as well as an immunity provision (MCL 722.625). The provisions apply to mandated reporters as follows: (1) a person who knowingly fails to report when required to do so incurs criminal liability; (2) a person who fails to report when required to do so incurs civil liability; (3) a person who, in good faith, reports is immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred by that action.

MCL 722.625 then clarifies that the grant of immunity applies only to acts required by the Child Protection Law:

[t]his immunity from civil or criminal liability extends only to acts done pursuant to this act [reporting, cooperating or assisting as required by the act] and does not extend to a negligent act that causes personal injury or death or to the malpractice of a physician that results in personal injury or death.

Therefore, it is clear that an action against a doctor for complying with, or failing to comply with, the act is entirely separate from an action against that doctor for medical malpractice in treating the child. For example: a doctor suspects abuse because of broken bones and files a report under this act. In actuality, the child was not abused but suffers from brittle bone disease. As a result of the doctor’s failure to diagnose brittle bone disease, the child’s condition goes untreated and the child suffers further fractures. If the doctor were sued for wrongful reporting, the doctor would have statutory immunity from civil liability. However, if the doctor were sued for medical malpractice for failure to correctly diagnose and treat the child’s condition, the immunity provisions of the act would not protect the doctor. See Awkerman v Tri-County Orthopedic Group, PC, 143 Mich App 722; 373 NW2d 204 (1985).

Thus, the trial court erred in granting summary disposition on this matter.

III. Vicarious Liability

Defendants argue that the trial court erred in denying defendants DMC and Children’s Hospital’s motion for summary disposition as to plaintiff’s vicarious liability claims. We disagree. Again, this Court reviews de novo a trial court’s decision on a motion for summary disposition. Feyz, supra at 672. Likewise, statutory interpretation is a question of law that this Court also reviews de novo. Reed v Yackell, 473 Mich 520, 528; 703 NW2d 1 (2005). “Vicarious liability is indirect responsibility imposed by operation of law.” Theophelis v Lansing Gen Hosp, 430 Mich 473, 483; 424 NW2d 478 (1988). It is “‘based on a relationship between the parties, irrespective of participation, either by act or omission, of the one vicariously liable, under which it has been determined as a matter of policy that one person should be liable for the act of the other.’” Id. (citation omitted). Accordingly, “‘a master is responsible for the wrongful acts of his servant committed while performing some duty within the scope of his employment.”’ Rogers v J B Hunt Transport, Inc, 466 Mich 645, 651; 649 NW2d 23 (2002), quoting Murphy v Kuhartz, 244 Mich 54, 56; 221 NW 143 (1928).

Here, the trial court denied defendants’ motion for summary disposition as to plaintiff’s vicarious liability claim. Defendants DMC and Children’s Hospital challenge that ruling on appeal, arguing that there is no vicarious liability in this case under the plain language of MCL 722.633(1).

The goal of statutory construction is to discern and give effect to the intent of the Legislature. Neal v Wilkes, 470 Mich 661, 665; 685 NW2d 648 (2004). This Court must ascertain the legislative intent that may be inferred from the words of the statute. Koontz v Ameritech Services, Inc, 466 Mich 304, 312; 645 NW2d 34 (2002). “When the Legislature has unambiguously conveyed its intent in a statute, the statute speaks for itself, and judicial construction is not permitted.” Id. “‘Statutory language should be construed reasonably, keeping in mind the purpose of the act.’” Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, Inc v Dep’t of Treasury, 270 Mich App 539, 544; 716 NW2d 598 (2006) (citation omitted).

Generally, when a statute provides new rights and remedies, those remedies are exclusive. South Haven v Van Buren Co Bd of Comm’rs, 478 Mich 518, 529; 734 NW2d 533 (2007). However, statutes in derogation of the common law are narrowly construed. Rusinek v Schultz, Snyder & Steele Lumber Co, 411 Mich 502, 507-508; 309 NW2d 11 (1995). And wellsettled common law principles are not to be abolished by implication. Walters v Leech, 279 Mich App 707, 710; 761 NW2d 143 (2008).

MCL 722.633(1) provides the following civil remedy for violation of MCL 722.623: A person who is required by this act to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect and who fails to do so is civilly liable for the damages proximately caused by the failure. Defendants argue that the plain language of MCL 722.633 limits liability to individual liability only. However, a well-settled common law principle, such as the doctrine of vicarious liability, cannot be abolished by implication. And there is no language in the statute that expressly abolishes the doctrine.

Although governing a different subject matter entirely, the Michigan no-fault act, MCL 500.3101, et seq., has been the basis for several decisions that provide us guidance in this matter.

In each of the following cases the enactment of the law did not extinguish common-law doctrines that existed before the enactment of the no-fault act. In Adams v Auto Club Ins Ass'n, 154 Mich App 186, 194-195, 397 NW2d 262 (1986), the plaintiff argued that because there is no section of the no-fault act which entitles insurers to maintain actions against insureds to recover overpaid work-loss benefits unless duplicate payment is received from a collateral source, the defendant was not entitled to reimbursement for any overpayments made to plaintiff. The Adams Court disagreed and held that the enactment of the no-fault act did not extinguish common-law doctrines predating that legislation, specifically that the common-law rule permitting recoupment of payments not abolished by the no-fault act. In Bak v Citizens Ins Co of America, 199 Mich App 730, 737-738; 503 NW2d 94 (1993), this Court concluded that because the no-fault act did not specifically abrogate the common-law principle of mitigation, the defense remains available.

See also Struble v DAIIE, 86 Mich App 245, 250, 272 NW2d 617 (1978) (common-law tort rule “should not be considered as abrogated unless there is a clear intent to do so,” citing 73 Am Jur 2d, Statutes, § 181, p. 384); Rusinek v Schultz, Snyder & Steele Lumber Co, 411 Mich 502, 508; 309 NW2d 163 (1981) (no-fault act did not abolish common-law actions for loss of consortium).

A statute must not be construed to abrogate established common-law principles by implication.

Id. at 507-508. Thus, we have a line of Michigan cases that all conclude that the common law should not be abrogated by statute unless it clearly appears that was the legislative intent.

Here, there is no indication that the legislature intended to abrogate the common law doctrine of vicarious liability. The preamble to the Child Protection Law states that its purpose is, in part, “to provide for the protection of children who are abused and neglected.” Allowing entities such as hospitals to be the subject of vicarious liability would further the stated goal of protecting children from abuse and neglect by encouraging appropriate supervision and training of mandated reporters and by encouraging organization-wide policies that comport with Michigan law.

We conclude that an employer may be held liable for its employee’s failure to report under MCL 722.623, and the trial court did not err in denying defendants’ motion for summary disposition as to plaintiff’s vicarious liability claims.

The dissent argues that today’s decision “handicaps the doctors of this state” and “strips doctors of the protections inherent in a medical malpractice cause of action.” To the contrary, our decision requires nothing more of doctors than the plain language of the statute has always required of them: to report when they reasonably suspect that a child has been abused or neglected as defined by the statute. Neither the statute nor precedentially-binding appellate case law has ever provided that a doctor could only be sued for medical malpractice rather than for ordinary negligence for failure to report reasonably suspected abuse or neglect. Therefore, our decision does not take something from doctors that they possessed heretofore. In fact, we merely hold that doctors are held to the same standard as every other similarly situated person; that is, all of the other statutorily-mandated reporters.

In enacting the statute, the legislature knowingly included many occupations that regularly come in contact with children, such as teachers, school counselors, social workers, child care providers, physicians, dentists, nurses, and psychologists, among others, and required all of them to report on the same basis: if there is a reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect. The legislature could have provided different standards for reporting based on the differing knowledge and experience of those mandated to report; it did not do so. We cannot read different standards into the act. “It is axiomatic that when the language of an act clearly enunciates a standard . . . it is repugnant to attempt to judicially read into the act other requirements or conditions that operate to defeat or limit its aim.” Kidd v General Motors Corp, 414 Mich 578, 588; 327 NW2d 265 (1982).

The dissent alarmingly speculates that doctors will now “report all incidents involving a bump or a bruise” in order to protect themselves from “frivolous lawsuits.” This fear is belied by the words of the statute: it does not require every bump or bruise on a child be reported. Only those injuries that raise a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect must be reported. Most bumps and bruises are accidentally acquired in the course of a child’s play. However, some injuries are not innocently acquired. Some injuries, by their very nature, raise a reasonable suspicion of child abuse: facial bruises in the shape of the fingers of an adult hand, bruises to the back, buttocks, or legs in the shape of a looped electrical cord, rope burns to the wrists and ankles, a burn in the shape of an iron on a child’s back. Other injuries may not be suspicious in themselves, but may become reasonably suspicious because the explanation given does not match the injury: it could not have occurred in the manner given, or because the explanations given upon questioning change over time.

If a child is presented to a doctor with an inherently non-suspicious injury, the caregiver’s explanation is innocent, consistent, and reasonably explains the injury, and there are no other indicia of child abuse or neglect present, the doctor would not reasonably suspect child abuse or neglect and would not be under a duty to report. However, if a doctor reasonably suspected child abuse or neglect, that doctor would be statutorily required to report. As with all other mandated reports, the failure to report when required to do so would be judged by an ordinary negligence standard.

* * *

See: http://coa.courts.mi.gov/documents/OPINIONS/FINAL/COA/20090714_C282268_74_282268.OPN.PDF

Outcome: Affirmed in part and reversed in part and remanded for proceedings consistent with this opinion.

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Defendant's Experts:

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