The Law of Medical Malpractice in Maine: A Survey of Basic Considerations

The Law of Medical Malpractice in Maine: A Survey of Basic Considerations

The Law of Medical Malpractice in Maine:  A Survey of Basic Considerations

Maine medical malpractice law is among the most complex legal practice areas.  The statutes, case law, and regulations governing medical malpractice law in Maine are highly technical.  For instance, there are very strict and complicated filing deadlines that must be followed, or the injured patient’s case will not even be allowed to proceed, regardless of the actual substantive merits of the claim.  Similarly, there are myriad other esoteric rules in place that make successfully prosecuting a medical malpractice claim in Maine exceptionally difficult for anyone other than an experienced and knowledgeable medical malpractice lawyer.

Unfortunately, this complexity has given rise to a great deal of confusion, misunderstanding, false assumptions, and inaccurate beliefs about medical malpractice claims in Maine by both members of the general public as well as practicing lawyers.  This widespread lack of understanding is not in anyone’s best interests, especially injured patients and their loved ones who are desperate for accurate information and answers.

This article seeks to address the state of confusion by discussing both the broad fundamental principles and many of the key technical mechanics of Maine medical malpractice law in practice.  It is intended that this article do so in plain language with minimal use of legal jargon, so the material presented is easily accessible for both nonlawyers and legal practitioners alike.

Section I below discusses the broad basic principles and concepts of medical malpractice law in Maine.  After reading this Sect ion, the reader will have an understanding of the basic issues for consideration in a medical malpractice case.  Sections II through XI examine specific key technical aspects in initiating and prosecuting an action for medical malpractice in Maine.

Below is a list of topics covered in this article.

I. Overview of Basic Principles and Concepts

-What is Medical Malpractice in Maine?

-Required Elements of a Medical Malpractice Claim in Maine

-Introduction

-The Basic Elements

II. Filing Deadlines for Medical Malpractice Claims

-Introduction to Statute of Limitations

-Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims in Maine

-The Discovery Rule

-Introduction

-The Discovery Rule in Maine

-Special Provisions

-Minors

-Mental Illness

-Final Thoughts

III. Statute of Repose—Absolute Bar to Recovery

-Introduction

-Statute of Repose in Maine

IV. Immunities and Limitations on Liability

-Sovereign Immunity

-Introduction

-Sovereign Immunity in Maine

-Good Samaritan Law

-Introduction

-Good Samaritan Law in Maine

-Additional Immunities and Limitations on Liability

V. Presuit Requirements for Medical Malpractice Claims

VI. Required Elements of a Medical Malpractice Petition

-Basic Elements

-Notice Pleading

VII. Expert Medical Witnesses

-Introduction

-Who Qualifies as An Expert Medical Witness

-Admissibility of Expert Testimony

-Introduction

-Admissibility of Expert Testimony in Maine

VIII. Comparative Negligence

-Modified Comparative Negligence with 50% Bar Rule

-Apportionment of Fault with Multiple Defendants

IX. Limitation on Noneconomic Damages

X. Limitations on Attorney Fees

-Contingent Fee Arrangement

-Limitations on Attorney Fees in Maine

XI. Apologies and Gestures of Sympathy

XII. Website Disclaimer

 

I. Overview of Basic Principles and Concepts

What is Medical Malpractice in Maine?

Medical malpractice is a specific type of professional negligence by a healthcare provider.  In the medical malpractice context, negligence means that the healthcare provider’s actions deviated from or fell below the applicable accepted standards of medical practice.  When that negligence results in the patient sustaining injury, becoming ill, or illness worsening, then medical malpractice may have occurred.

Required Elements of a Medical Malpractice Claim in Maine

Introduction

It is important to understand that not all mistakes made (instances of negligence) by healthcare providers constitute compensable medical malpractice under Maine law.  Similarly, not all injuries following medical treatment amount to medical malpractice entitling the injured patient to compensation.  Some degree of risk is inherent in most medical procedures.  The law does not require healthcare providers to guarantee that no harm or unfavorable consequence will arise from treatment.  The law simply requires that healthcare providers meet the legally required standard of care while rendering medical treatment.  While negligence and subsequent injury are necessary factors for a legally valid medical malpractice claim, their mere presence alone is not sufficient for a compensable claim.

Maine medical malpractice law requires the injured patient to also prove causation between the negligence and the subsequent injury.  The negligence must be the actual cause in fact of the patient’s injury.  The law does not hold a healthcare provider who was negligent legally responsible for any and all injuries sustained by a patient simply because they happen to occur or manifest themselves after the negligent behavior.  That is, the negligent act must have been the actual cause of the injury, not simply precede it in time, for a viable medical malpractice claim.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court (“Supreme Court”) made this point clear when it explained: “Negligence alone on the part of an actor is not enough to impose liability.  Negligence is actionable only if it proximately causes an injury to another—that is, if it is a substantial factor in bringing about the harm and … there is no rule of law relieving the actor from liability because of the manner in which his negligence has resulted in harm.” [internal quotation marks omitted] Taylor v. Hill, 464 A.2d 938, 944 n.2 (Me. 1983).  That is, “[p]roof of an unfavorable result, without more, will not suffice to establish the liability of a physician.”  Caron v. Pratt, 336 A.2d 856, 859 (Me. 1975).

The Basic Elements

According to the Maine Supreme Court, the basic elements of a compensable medical malpractice claim that must all be proven by the plaintiff are as follows:

1. Standard of Care—the plaintiff must show evidence that establishes the applicable standard of care;
2. Breach—the plaintiff must demonstrate that the applicable standard of care was violated or breached; and
3. Causation—the plaintiff must establish the breach of the standard of care proximately caused the plaintiff’s injury. Cox v. Dela Cruz, 406 A.2d 620, 622 (Me. 1979).

The applicable standard of care for medical malpractice claims “is the care that an ordinarily competent physician [or healthcare practitioner] would provide under like circumstances.”  McLaughlin v. Sy, 589 A.2d 448, 452 (Me. 1991).  Whether a defendant owes the plaintiff a duty of care is a question of law, but the issues of breach and causation are questions of fact.  Welch v. McCarthy, 677 A.2d 1066, 1069 (Me. 1996).

The Maine Supreme Court clarified in McLaughlin that the Locality Rule is not the law in Maine.  McLaughlin, 589 A.2d at 452.  The Locality Rule holds that a healthcare practitioner is required to use that degree of knowledge, skill, care, and attention ordinarily exercised by such healthcare practitioners under like circumstances and in like localities or local communities.  However, the Supreme Court further clarified in McLaughlin that while strict adherence to the Locality Rule is not the law in Maine its formulation of the applicable standard of care, with approval of terms such as ‘like conditions’ and ‘community standards,’ is broad enough to encompass the degree of skill and care required of practitioners in similar localities.  As used by the Supreme Court, the foregoing terms are “considered interchangeable with the concept of ‘in like situation.’”  Id.  Accordingly, locality “is, at most, a factor in the overall circumstances.”  Id.

In a medical malpractice claim, the plaintiff bears the burden of proving the negligence of the defendant (breached the established standard of care) and proximate causation between the defendant’s negligent conduct and the plaintiff’s injuries.  Cyr v. Giesen, 108 A.2d 316, 318 (Me. 1954).  Importantly, the general rule is that “expert testimony is essential if that burden is to be met.”  Downer v. Veilleux, 322 A.2d 82, 84 (Me. 1974).  The rationale underlying the general rule for the necessity of expert medical witnesses is that lay people simply do not know what the applicable standard of care for a specific medical treatment is and whether or not it has been breached.  The Maine Supreme Court explained this issue as follows:

Professional testimony alone should be looked to for matters of fact or opinion peculiarly within the learning and experience of professional witnesses.  Thus, where the exercise of proper skill or care on the part of a physician or surgeon is in issue, expert medical testimony is ordinarily essential.  Accordingly, expert testimony is ordinarily required to establish the prevailing standard of skill and learning in the locality, and expert testimony is required to establish usual or proper practice in medical treatment, the propriety of particular conduct of the practitioner, and want of professional skill; and such testimony, although not conclusive in the sense that it must be accepted as true, is conclusive as against that of lay witnesses where the matter in issue is within the knowledge of experts only, and not within the common knowledge of laymen.  Cyr, 108 A.2d at 318 (quoting 70 C.J.S., Physicians and Surgeons, § 62, page 1006).

There is a recognized exception to the general rule.  “[U]nder some circumstances where the negligence and harmful results are sufficiently obvious as to lie within common knowledge, a verdict may be supported without expert testimony,” explained the Supreme Court.  Id.  Classic examples of situations that are considered within the common knowledge of lay jurors is when the wrong limb is amputated (left leg instead of right) and where a foreign object with no remaining therapeutic value is inadvertently left inside a patient following surgery.  In these types of scenarios, laypeople can draw upon their own common knowledge and experience to conclude that the defendant was negligent without the need for an expert to tell them so.

In order to recover damages for a medical malpractice claim, the plaintiff must also establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant’s negligence was a proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury.  Champagne v. Mid-Maine Medical Center, 711 A.2d 842, 845 (Me. 1998).  The Maine Supreme Court instructed that the “mere possibility of such causation is not enough; and when the matter remains one of pure speculation or conjecture, or the probabilities are at best evenly balanced, it becomes the duty of the court to direct a verdict for the defendant.”  Id. (quoting Restatement (Second) of Torts § 433B cmt. a, at 442 (1965)).

A thorough examination of the concept of proximate cause and the myriad rules and exceptions contained within it is well beyond the scope of this article.  But the Maine Supreme Court provided the following instructive overview of proximate cause:

Proximate cause is that cause which, in natural and continuous sequence, unbroken by an efficient intervening cause, produces the injury, and without which the result would not have occurred.

Evidence is sufficient to support a finding of proximate cause if the evidence and inferences that may reasonably be drawn from the evidence indicate that the negligence played a substantial part in bringing about or actually causing the injury or damage and that the injury or damage was either a direct result or a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the negligence.  The mere possibility of such causation is not enough, and when the matter remains one of pure speculation or conjecture, or even if the probabilities are evenly balanced, a defendant is entitled to a judgment.

A consequence of negligence is reasonably foreseeable if the negligence has created a risk which might reasonably be expected to result in the injury or damage at issue, even if the exact nature of the injury need not, itself, be foreseeable.  However, reasonable foreseeability does not equal causation.  To support a finding of proximate cause, there must be some evidence indicating that a foreseeable injury did in fact result from the negligence.

Proximate cause is generally a question of fact for the jury, but the court has a duty to direct a verdict for the defendant if the jury’s deliberation rests only on speculation or conjecture. [internal citations and quotation marks omitted]  Merriam v. Wanger, 757 A.2d 778, 780-781 (Me. 2000).

II. Filing Deadlines for Medical Malpractice Claims

 Introduction to Statute of Limitations

Filing deadlines are among the most important preliminary issues to consider with respect to any potential legal case.  In particular, medical malpractice claims must be initiated by a specific deadline, or you may be completely barred from proceeding with your lawsuit, even if you have a valid claim that would otherwise entitle you to recover damages for your injuries.

These strict filing deadlines are referred to as a statute of limitations.  Each state establishes deadlines by which you must file various types of legal claims in order to preserve your right to have the substantive merits of your case heard.  In addition to filing deadlines for initiating the lawsuit itself, a statute of limitations commonly prescribes other deadlines by which certain actions must be performed, or once again, you may be barred from proceeding with your lawsuit.

A statute of limitations can often be tolled or extended.  Tolling refers to delaying or pausing the running (or active countdown) of the applicable time period.  For example, if a statute is tolled for 90 days, then the countdown towards the deadline is paused for that duration of time.  The deadline to carry out a specified action under a statute of limitations can also be extended.  For instance, many statutes of limitations add a specified number of years to the applicable deadline if the prospective defendant engaged in fraud or other intentional actions in an attempt to conceal his or her liability.

Statute of Limitations for Medical Malpractice Claims in Maine  

In general, medical malpractice claims in Maine are subject to a three-year statute of limitations that is contained in Maine Revised Statutes (“MRS”) § 2902.  The statute states that “actions for professional negligence must be commenced within 3 years after the cause of action accrues.  For the purposes of this section, a cause of action accrues on the date of the act or omission giving rise to the injury.”  Id.

Maine’s standard statute of limitations governing medical malpractice claims is relatively harsh since the limitations period is triggered by the alleged negligent act or omission itself, rather than the discovery of the injury and likely cause.  This means that the statute of limitations can expire and bar any claim even before the injured party is aware or has reason to be aware of the injury or that he or she may have a claim.  In practice, it operates very similar to a statute of repose (see next Section for full discussion).

To help blunt the unforgiven nature of the statute of limitations to a limited extent, the Maine Supreme Court adopted the so-called Continuing Treatment doctrine in Baker v. Farrand, 26 A.3d 806, 816 (Me. 2011).  Basically, the doctrine holds that when multiple acts or omissions each constitute a breach of the applicable standard of care and, in combination, they all proximately caused the complained of injury the “cause of action must accrue from the date of the last act or omission that contributed to the alleged injury because only then was the alleged negligence complete.”  Id. at 815.  In Baker, the Supreme Court announced:

We therefore hold that, pursuant to section 2902, a plaintiff may bring a single action alleging continuing negligent treatment that arises from two or more related acts or omissions by a single health care provider or practitioner where each act or omission deviated from the applicable standard of care and, to at least some demonstrable degree, proximately caused the harm complained of, as long as at least one of the alleged negligent acts or omissions occurred within three years of the notice of claim.  Id. at 816.

The application of the Continuing Treatment doctrine allows those acts or omissions that would otherwise be time-barred (occurred more than three years prior to the commencement of the medical malpractice claim) to be included with a timely filed action as long as they are related to the act or omission that occurred within three years of the filing of the action.

It is often the case that a single day is the difference between whether a plaintiff may commence an action or is time-barred because the limitations period has expired.  Miscalculating when the last day of the limitations period is can literally result in an injured patient, even with a meritorious claim, being denied the chance at any recovery.  As such, it is critical to understand precisely how time is computed under Maine law in calculating the exact date the applicable limitations period ends.  Rule 6 of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure governs how time is calculated in the construction of state statutes.  It provides:

In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by these rules, by order of court, or by any applicable statute, the day of the act, event, or default after which the designated period of time begins to run is not to be included.  The last day of the period so computed is to be included, unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is not a Saturday, a Sunday, or a holiday.  When the period of time prescribed or allowed is less than 7 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays shall be excluded in the computation.

The Discovery Rule

Introduction

Every state has some version of the Discovery Rule.  In general, the Discovery Rule is an exception to the standard statute of limitations.  It tolls the applicable statute of limitations until the injury stemming from the alleged medical negligence is or should have been discovered by the plaintiff.  Injuries resulting from medical negligence often do not materialize until years after the negligent act, omission, or decision.  The rationale underlying the Discovery Rule is to prevent the statute of limitations barring a plaintiff from pursuing a medical malpractice claim until the injury has been discovered or should have been discovered.

The Discovery Rule in Maine

Maine recognizes the Discovery Rule for medical malpractice claims in one specific situation.  MRS § 2902 provides that the standard three-year statute of limitations “does not apply when the cause of action is based upon the leaving of a foreign object in the body, in which case the cause of action accrues when the plaintiff discovers or reasonably should have discovered the harm.”  The statute states that the term ‘foreign object’ does not include “a chemical compound, prosthetic aid or object intentionally implanted or permitted to remain in the patient’s body as part of the health care or professional services.”  Id.

Special Provisions

Minors

Minors are subject to a different limitations period than the standard three-year period that normally applies to medical malpractice claims.  MRS § 2902.  With respect to minors, the statute provides that “actions from professional negligence by a minor must be commenced within 6 years after the cause of action accrues or within 3 years after the minor reaches the age of majority, whichever first occurs.”  Id.

Mental Illness

Individuals who are deemed mentally ill are also subject to a different limitations period than the general three-year period that normally applies to medical malpractice claims.  MRS § 2902.  Under MRS § 853, a person entitled to bring a medical malpractice action who is mentally ill at the time of accrual of the action has three years to bring the action from the date the disability, i.e., mental illness, is removed.

Final Thoughts

The application of Maine’s medical malpractice statute of limitations is extremely nuanced, technical, and fact-driven.  The rules governing this area of the law can be overwhelmingly complex and confusing for anyone other than an experienced Maine medical malpractice attorney.  In order for potential plaintiffs to ensure the preservation of their right to prosecute their medical malpractice claim, it is advisable to contact an Maine attorney who specializes in medical malpractice law at the earliest possible opportunity.

III. Statute of Repose—Absolute Bar to Recovery

Introduction

Statutes of repose are procedurally related to statutes of limitations.  Both types of statutes involve the countdown towards a deadline by which time a specified action must be performed.  If the deadline is not met, they can both bar any further prosecution of a case without regard to the actual substantive merits of the claim.

Although they can be thought of as being related, there are critical differences between them.  The manner in which the running of each statute is triggered represents a subtle but very significant difference between the two types of statutes.  A statute of limitations is generally triggered when the cause of action accrues, i.e., when all essential elements are present and a claim becomes legally actionable.

In contrast, a statute of repose is triggered upon the occurrence of a specified event regardless of whether the cause of action has accrued.  In medical malpractice cases, that event is usually, but not always, the medical procedure that is alleged to have caused the subsequent injury.  The statute of repose begins to run as of the date of the procedure or other triggering event regardless of whether the cause of action has accrued.  Whereas, the corresponding statute of limitations typically does not begin to run until the plaintiff knows about the injury or deemed to know and all other elements of a viable cause of action exist.

Additionally, unlike a statute of limitations, a statute of repose can run and bar a right of action before it even exists.  A statute of repose serves as an absolute bar to recovery.  Once it runs, it extinguishes the claim entirely even if the claim is not yet time-barred by the applicable statute of limitations.  The statute of repose controls in that scenario.

While statutes of limitations are widely known and even understood by much of the general public, the same does not hold true with respect to statutes of repose.  In fact, even many practicing lawyers do not fully appreciate the critical differences between the two.  This is likely due to the fact that statutes of repose are relatively rare.  Every cause of action in every state is governed by an applicable statute of limitations, but relatively few causes of action are also covered by a statute of repose.

Statute of Repose in Maine

Maine does not have a separate statute of repose applicable to medical malpractice claims.  However, its standard statute of limitations shares important characteristics with that of a statute of repose.

For instance, notice that the triggering event is the alleged negligent act or omission.  In contrast to most statutes of limitations which begin to run when the plaintiff has knowledge or constructive knowledge of the injury and its factual cause, Maine’s statute of limitations begins to run immediately upon the occurrence of the alleged negligence and can expire even before the potential plaintiff is aware that he or she may have been injured thus forever barring any possible claim.  That harsh result is exactly like that of a statute of repose.

IV. Immunities and Limitations on Liability

Sovereign Immunity

Introduction

Sovereign immunity is the legal doctrine that holds the government is immune from lawsuits or other legal actions except when and to the extent it consents to them.  The doctrine traces its origins back to English common law where the king made the laws, so the king could do no wrong.  As a result, there could be no valid claim against a government entity.  The doctrine crossed the ocean and found its way to the United States in the early 1800s, and it was soon adopted in some form in nearly every state.  Today, most states have either limited or eliminated, to some extent, sovereign immunity by judicial action or statute.

Sovereign Immunity in Maine

The Maine Tort Claims Act governs suits against the state and governmental entities.  It provides: “Except as otherwise expressly provided by statute, all governmental entities shall be immune from suit on any and all tort claims seeking recovery of damages.  When immunity is removed by this chapter, any claim for damages shall be brought in accordance with the terms of” the Act.  MRS § 8103(1).

The Act provides for a few very limited exceptions to the state’s immunity from suit, but claims for personal injury due to medical malpractice is not one of the specified exceptions.  MRS § 104A.  Moreover, the Maine Supreme Court explicitly announced that state hospitals enjoy “the broad general immunity provided by the Tort Claims Act.”  Darling v. Augusta Mental Health Institute, 535 A.2d 421, 423 (Me. 1987).

However, medical malpractice actions against the state or its employees for wrongful death are permitted because the state waived immunity for such claims in MRS § 8104-C.  The Maine Supreme Court instructed that “claims of medical malpractice against governmental entities and their employees must be brought in accordance with the MTCA….” Hinkley v. Penobscot Valley Hospital, 794 A.2d 643, 647 (Me. 2002).  But the provision within the Act that authorizes wrongful death suits against a governmental entity or employee, i.e., MRS § 8104-C, expressly states that such actions must be brought in accordance with the general procedures for wrong death claims in Title 18-A, section 2-804.  Accordingly, wrongful death claims based on medical malpractice may be brought against the state or its employees, and the procedure set forth in MRS § 2-804 govern.

Good Samaritan Law

Introduction

The general rule in the United States holds that an individual is under no legal duty to provide assistance to someone in need during an emergency.  While there may, for some, be a moral obligation to aid others in emergency situations, there is no corresponding legal duty to do so.  It is a different story if an individual is responsible for creating the emergency situation from which a victim needs saving or an individual is under a pre-existing duty to save others from a specific situation (on-duty lifeguard has a duty to recuse swimmers under his or her watch).

In response, states have enacted Good Samaritan laws.  While they do not impose a legal duty to help others, they do eliminate a potential barrier for some in coming to the aid of others during an emergency.  Good Samaritan laws are designed to provide immunity from civil liability for individuals who voluntarily render assistance to those in need during an emergency situation.  As a public policy matter, society does not want concerns about potential civil liability stopping individuals from helping others in need of emergency assistance.

Good Samaritan Law in Maine

Maine has enacted a general Good Samaritan law that is codified in MRS § 164.  The statute provides immunity for individuals who, in good faith, render aid at an emergency scene.  It states:

Any person who voluntarily, without expectation of monetary or other compensation from the person aided or treated, renders first aid, emergency treatment or rescue assistance to a person who is unconscious, ill, injured or in need of rescue assistance, shall not be liable for damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by such person nor for damages for the death of such person alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such first aid, emergency treatment or rescue assistance, unless it is established that such injuries or such death were caused willfully, wantonly or reckless or by gross negligence on the part of such person….  This section shall not be construed to require a person who is ill or injured to be administered first aid or emergency treatment if such person objects thereto on religious grounds….  This section shall not apply if such first aid or emergency treatment or assistance is rendered on the premises of a hospital or clinic.

Notice that the immunity granted by Maine’s Good Samaritan law does not apply if the acts or omissions constitute willful, wanton or reckless conduct or gross negligence.  Thus, Good Samaritans are shielded from civil liability for ordinary negligence.

Also, notice that under Maine’s Good Samaritan law a person rendering emergency care or assistance at a hospital or clinic is not covered by the grant of immunity under the statute.

Additional Immunities and Limitations on Liability

There are numerous statutes providing some form of immunity or limitation on liability for various healthcare practitioners, emergency personnel, healthcare related entities, and specific scenarios scattered throughout the Maine Revised Statutes.  Many of the statutes medical malpractice plaintiffs are most likely to encounter are contained in Title 14, Chapter 741: Tort Claims.

V. Presuit Requirements for Medical Malpractice Claims

Before a medical malpractice action may be filed in court, the plaintiff must first file his or her complaint with a pre-litigation screening panel.  MRS § 2853.  This process is initiated by:

1. Serving a written notice of claim, setting forth, under oath, the professional negligence alleged and the nature and circumstances of the injuries and damages alleged, on the person accused of professional negligence. The notice of claim must be filed with the Superior Court within 20 days after completion of service; or
2. Filing a written notice of claim, setting forth, under oath, the professional negligence alleged and the nature and circumstances of the injuries and damages alleged, with the Superior Court. The claimant must serve the notice of claim on the person accused of professional negligence.  The return service must be filed with the court within 90 days after filing the notice of claim.  MRS § 2853.

According to MRS § 2851, the purpose of the mandatory prelitigation screening and mediation panels is:

1. To identify claims of professional negligence which merit compensation and to encourage early resolution of those claims prior to commencement of a lawsuit; and
2. To identify claims of professional negligence and to encourage early withdrawal or dismissal of nonmeritorious claims.

MRS § 2852

sets forth detailed procedures for the formation and operation of the panel, and MRS § 2854 details the procedures for the hearing.

At the end of the presentations during the hearing, the panel is required to make its findings in writing within 30 days by answering the following questions:

1. Whether the acts or omissions complained of constitute a deviation from the applicable standard of care by the health care practitioner or health care provider charged with that care;

2. Whether the acts or omissions complained of proximately caused the injury complained of; and

3. If negligence on the part of the health care practitioner or health care provider is found, whether any negligence on the part of the patient was equal to or greater than the negligence on the part of the practitioner or provider. MRS § 2855(1).

The applicable standard of proof used by the panel is as follows:

1. The plaintiff must prove negligence and proximate causation by a preponderance of the evidence; and

2. The defendant must prove comparative negligence by a preponderance of the evidence. MRS § 2855(2).

If the panel unanimously finds in favor of the plaintiff, the defendant “must promptly enter into negotiations to pay the claim or admit liability.”  MRS § 2858.  Alternatively, if the panel unanimously finds in favor of the defendant, “the claimant must release the claim or claims based on the findings without payment….”  Id.

In general, the “findings and other writings of the panel and any evidence and statements made by a party or a party’s representative during a panel hearing are not admissible and may not otherwise be submitted or used for any purpose in a subsequent court action and may not be publicly disclosed….”  MRS § 2857(1).  However, there are certain specified exceptions to the foregoing general rule listed in MRS § 2857 of which plaintiffs should be aware.

It should be noted that the applicable statute of limitations for filing an action in court “is tolled from the date upon which notice of claim is served or filed in Superior Court until 30 days following the day upon which the claimant receives notice of the findings of the panel.”  MRS § 2859.

If all parties to the claim agree, they can bypass the panel and commence a lawsuit in court.  MRS § 2853(5).  For a thorough discussion of all aspects of the panel process by the Maine Supreme Court, see Smith v. Hawthorne, 924 A.2d 1051, 1053-1055 (Me. 2007).

VI. Required Elements of a Medical Malpractice Petition

Basic Elements

In Maine, there is only one form of action, and it is known as a “civil action.”  Rule 2 of the Maine Rules of Civil Procedure.  Civil actions are commenced by filing a complaint with the appropriate court or by service of a summons and complaint.  Rule 3.  When the first method is used, “the complaint must be filed with the court within 20 days after completion of service.”  Id.  When the second method is used, “the return service shall be filed with the court within 90 days after the filing of the complaint.”  Id.

The complaint is one of the recognized forms of pleading under Maine law.  Rule 7(a).  Each allegation contained in the initial complaint “shall be simple, concise, and direct.  No technical forms of pleadings or motions are required.”  Rule 8(e)(1).  The plaintiff “may set forth two or more statements of a claim or defense alternately or hypothetically, either in one count … or in separate counts….”  Rule 8(e)(2).  In addition, the plaintiff may “state as many separate claims” as he or she “has regardless of consistency and whether based on legal or equitable grounds.”  Id.  Complaints “shall be so construed as to do substantial justice.”  Rule 8(f).

The complaint “shall contain (1) a short and plain statement of the claim showing that the pleader is entitled to relief, and (2) a demand for judgment for the relief which the pleader seeks.  Relief in the alternative or of several different types may be demanded.”  Rule 8(a).

The complaint “shall contain a caption setting forth the name of the court, the county in the Superior Court, the location of the District Court, the title of the action, the docket number, and a designation as a complaint.”  Rule 10(a).  In addition, the caption for a complaint “shall include the names of all the parties….”  Id.  Finally, the complaint must be dated.  Id.

All allegations of claim “shall be made in numbered paragraphs, the contents of each of which shall be limited as far as practicable to a statement of a single set of circumstances….”  Rule 10(b).  “Each claim founded upon a separate transaction or occurrence … shall be stated in a separate count … whenever a separation facilitates the clear presentation of the matters set forth.”  Id.

The complaint “shall be signed by at least one attorney of record in that attorney’s individual name, whose address shall be stated.”  Rule 11.  A plaintiff “who is not represented by an attorney shall sign the party’s” complaint and must include his or her address.  Id.

Notice Pleading

Maine is a notice pleading state.  Richards v. Soucy, 610 A.2d 268 (Me. 1992).  Under Maine’s notice pleading requirements, “the complaint need only provide defendant with fair notice of the claims against it.”  Jones v. Route 4 Truck & Auto Repair, 634 A.2d 1306, 1308 (Me. 1993). According to the Maine Supreme Court, “[f]air notice is achieved by a generalized statement alleging facts that would entitle plaintiff to relief.”  Id.  A complaint satisfies the notice pleading requirements if it “alleges facts that would entitle the plaintiff to relief upon some theory, or if it avers every essential element of recovery.”  Jackson v. Borkowski, 627 A.2d 1010, 1014 (Me. 1993).

Fact pleading is the other (less common) system of pleading.  For example, Oregon is a fact (or code) pleading state.  Davis v. Tyee Industries, Inc., 668 P.2d 1186, 1193 (Or. 1983).  According to the Oregon Supreme Court, “Oregon has been a code pleading state since statehood.  The general rule has been that a pleading must contain factual allegations which, if proved, establish the right to the relief sought.  This rule has been carried forward in the Oregon Rules of Civil Procedure” in Rule 18(A).  Id. at 1191-1192.  Essentially, fact pleading requires the plaintiff to allege specific facts that support his or her claim and not simply recite the generic elements of a cause of action in general terms.

The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure used in the Federal court system require notice pleading, which accounts for it being the more widely used pleading system in the country.

VII. Expert Medical Witnesses

Introduction

The general rule under medical malpractice law holds that expert witnesses are nearly always required.  The medical issues and related facts are generally far too complex for nonmedical professionals to understand without the aid of expert medical witnesses.  As a general rule of law, expert witnesses are needed to (1) establish the applicable standard of care, (2) help educate the judge and jury (or in furtherance of settlement negotiations) about what the defendant healthcare practitioner should have done or refrained from doing under the specific circumstances in the case, and (3) whether the defendant’s conduct breached the recognized standard of care for the profession or specialization.  Additionally, expert witnesses are needed to help determine whether the defendant’s medical negligence caused the plaintiff’s injury.

Who Qualifies as An Expert Medical Witness

The Maine Supreme Court has repeatedly instructed that whether a witness is qualified to testify as an expert witness on a specific issue “is a question of fact for the presiding judge, and his decision of such a question is usually final.”  Fayette v. Chesterville, 77 Me. 28, 33 (1885).  The trial judge is afforded “wide discretion” in making the determination of whether a proposed witness is qualified to testify as an expert.  Levesque v. Chan, 569 A.2d 600, 601 (Me. 1990).  Essentially, as long as the proposed expert provides sufficient evidence or testimony to persuade the trial judge that he or she possesses expertise on the specific issue he or she is offering testimony, then the expert is deemed qualified.

The law is clear in Maine that a “member of one specialty may testify to the standard of care applicable to another specialty as long as the witness is familiar with the standard of care and qualified to testify about it.”  Taylor v. Hill, 464 A.2d 938, 942 (Me. 1983).  That is, there is no strict prohibition against a member of one specialty testifying against a member of another specialty.  The guiding principle in Maine is whether the trial judge determines that the proposed expert possess expertise on the particular issue in question.

Additionally, “the diagnosis and treatment of some medical problems may be of concern to doctors of different specialties, and in an area of concurrent expertise, a common standard of care may be shared.”  Id. (quoting Baoust v. Kraut, 377 A.2d 4, 7 (Del. 1973).  The adoption of this principle underscores the Maine Supreme Court’s willingness to consider a proposed witness qualified as an expert provided that he or she establishes actual expertise on the issue in question, regardless of titles, practice areas, or other formalities.

Admissibility of Expert Testimony

Introduction

Trial courts must decide whether to admit expert opinion testimony about scientific principles and discoveries.  Simply put, courts must guard against allowing so-called junk science into evidence.  To achieve that objective, most states follow, to some extent, one of two general standards that have their origins in federal court cases, viz., the Frye and Daubert standards.

Under the Frye standard, expert testimony that is based upon a new scientific principle or discovery is admissible only if the principle or discovery is “sufficiently established to have gained general acceptance in the particular field in which it belongs.”  Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013, 1014 (D.C. Cir. 1923).

In comparison, the Daubert standard requires the trial court to serve as a gatekeeper regarding the admissibility of all expert testimony, not just testimony based upon a new scientific principle.  The court must make a determination whether the proposed testimony is both reliable and relevant by analyzing (1) whether the reasoning or methodology upon which the testimony is based is scientifically valid and (2) whether that reasoning or methodology can properly be applied to the facts in the case.  Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993).

Admissibility of Expert Testimony in Maine

The starting point for whether expert witness opinion testimony is admissible is Rule 702 of the Maine Rules of Evidence.  The Rule states: “A witness who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education may testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise if such testimony will help the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue.”

The Maine Supreme Court has expressly declined to formally adopt either the Frye or Daubert standard.  State v. Williams, 388 A.2d 500 (Me. 1978) (Court rejected Frye’s general acceptance test), Searles v. Fleetwood Homes of Pennsylvania, Inc., 878 A.2d 509 (Me. 2005) (latest case in which Court refused to adopt Daubert test).

The Maine Supreme Court utilizes a two-part test for determining the admissibility of expert witness opinion testimony based upon Rule 702 and Rule 401.  In the admissibility analysis, the proponent of the expert testimony is required to establish that (1) the testimony is relevant and (2) the testimony will assist the trier of fact in understanding the evidence or determining a fact in issue.  Williams, 388 A.2d at 504.  In addition, to “meet the two-part standard for the admission of expert testimony, the testimony must also meet a threshold level of reliability.”  Searles, 878 A.2d at 516 (quoting In re Sarah C., 864 A.2d 162, 165 (2004)).

Although the Maine Supreme Court repeatedly declined to adopt Daubert, it does utilize various portions of Daubert.  The Supreme Court explained the admissibility determination as follows:

In cases where expert testimony “rests on newly ascertained, or applied, scientific principles,” a trial court may consider whether “the scientific matters involved in the proffered testimony have been generally accepted or conform to a generally accepted explanatory theory” in determining whether the threshold level of reliability has been met.  General acceptance is not a prerequisite for admission, however.  A court has latitude to admit “proffered evidence involving newly ascertained, or applied, scientific principles [that] have not yet achieved general acceptance . . . if a showing has been made [that] satisfies the [court] that the proffered evidence is sufficiently reliable to be held relevant.”

Indicia of scientific reliability may include the following: whether any studies tendered in support of the testimony are based on facts similar to those at issue; whether the hypothesis of the testimony has been subject to peer review; whether an expert’s conclusion has been tailored to the facts of the case; whether any other experts attest to the reliability of the testimony; the nature of the expert’s qualifications; and, if a causal relationship is asserted, whether there is a scientific basis for determining that such a relationship exists.

We review a court’s foundational finding that expert testimony is sufficiently reliable for clear error.  Assuming that a court finds that there is a proper foundation, its decision whether to admit the testimony is a matter of discretion. [internal citations omitted] Id.

VIII. Comparative Negligence

Modified Comparative Negligence with 50% Bar Rule

By statute, Maine uses modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar rule.  MRS § 156.  The statute provides that a plaintiff’s own negligence or fault does not bar recovery, stating:

When any person suffers death or damages as a result partly of that person’s own fault and partly of the fault of any other person or persons, a claim in respect of that death or damage may not be defeated by reason of the fault of the person suffering the damage….  If such claimant is found by the jury to be equally at fault, the claimant may not recover.

Notice that the plaintiff may recover damages so long as his or her proportionate share of negligence is not equal to or greater than the defendant or defendants being sued by the plaintiff—the 50% bar rule.  If the plaintiff’s percentage share of determined fault is equal to or greater than the total of the defendant or defendants (i.e., plaintiff’s contributory negligence is determined to be 50% or greater), then the plaintiff is not entitled to any recovery.

The foregoing language in the above quoted portion of the statue is the codification of the 50% bar rule, which holds that if the plaintiff’s allocated percentage of fault is 50% or greater he or she is completely barred from recovering any damages.  For example, assume a plaintiff is determined to be 49% at fault, the plaintiff would still be entitled to recovery.  In contrast, if the plaintiff were determined to be 50% at fault, he or she would not be entitled to any recovery because Maine imposes the 50% bar rule.

Under contributory negligence (the doctrine that Maine followed prior to implementing the current doctrine of modified comparative negligence), a plaintiff is completely barred from any recovery if his or her negligent conduct contributed as a legal cause in any degree to the injury.  Contributory negligence is extremely unforgiven.  If the plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to the injury in the slightest degree, i.e., even 1%, he or she cannot recover any damages.  It is for this reason that nearly every state has abandoned it.  Only Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia still permit the use of contributory negligence.

To underscore the point, assume that a plaintiff is 10% at fault for contributing to his or her own injuries with the defendant 90% at fault, and the damage award is $1 million.  Under comparative negligence, the plaintiff will still recover $900,000 ($1 million less 10% or $100,000 attributable to his or her allocated share of fault).  In contrast, under contributory negligence, the plaintiff recovers nothing.  The plaintiff’s 10% allocation of fault serves as a complete bar to recovery.  That is the stark difference between the two doctrines.

The Maine Supreme Court explained that the Legislature adopted the doctrine of modified comparative negligence based on “humanitarian reasons and the consequent need to eliminate the unfairness of the contributory negligence doctrine….”  Crocker v. Coombs, 328 A.2d 389, 392 (Me. 1974).

In Crocker, the Supreme Court announced that a defendant who invokes the doctrine of comparative negligence to place a portion of the fault for the injury or damage on the plaintiff bears “the burden of proving the causal negligence of the tortuously injured party” and “must support this burden by a fair preponderance of the evidence.”  Id.  That is, the defendant has the burden of proof in establishing the plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to his or her injury, and the defendant must do so by a preponderance of the evidence.  Accordingly, plaintiffs no longer have to prove that their lack of any negligence in order to recover as was the case under the previous doctrine of contributory negligence.  Id.

Maine’s comparative negligence statute contains a rare provision regarding the amount of recoverable damages in cases where the plaintiff is partly at fault for his or her injury but still entitled to recover, i.e., plaintiff deemed less than 50% at fault).  MRS § 156 states that “the damages recoverable in respect thereof must be reduced to such extent as the jury thinks just and equitable to the claimant’s share in the responsibility for the damage.”

This differs considerably from how other states that follow the doctrine of modified comparative negligence deal with calculating recoverable damages.  In most states, the amount a plaintiff may recover is reduced by his or her allocated proportion of fault for causing the injury.  For example, if a plaintiff were deemed 25% at fault for causing his or her own injury and the total damage award is $100,000, the plaintiff would be entitled to a recovery of $75,000 ($100,000 less 25% attributable to his or her own share of fault or $25,000).

In contrast, Maine does not impose a requirement that the total damage award be reduced by the plaintiff’s proportionate share of fault.  Rather, a jury may award an amount that is less, more, or equal to the plaintiff’s proportionate share of fault with the guiding principle being what “the jury thinks is just and equitable” in light of the facts of the case.  Id.  Accordingly, Maine juries have a great deal of flexibility in awarding damages.

Apportionment of Fault with Multiple Defendants

When multiple defendants are involved, there are two different ways in which the degree of fault comparison can be applied.  Each approach can lead to vastly different results.  The individual comparison approach compares the plaintiff’s proportion of fault against each defendant individually, and the plaintiff may recover damages against only the defendants whose individual proportion of fault is greater than the plaintiff’s.  For example, in a scenario where the plaintiff is deemed to be 40% at fault and two defendants are each apportioned 30% of the fault, the plaintiff is barred from any recovery.  Under the individual comparison approach, the plaintiff’s share of fault for the injury is greater than either defendant individually.

On the other hand, the combined comparison approach permits the plaintiff to recover as long as his or her apportioned share of negligence is equal to or less than the combined negligence of all the defendants against whom recovery is sought.  In the above example, the plaintiff would be entitled to recover damages from both defendants since his or her apportioned share of negligence is less than the combined share of the two defendants.  Clearly, there is a stark contrast in the results of the two approaches with plaintiffs obviously favoring the combined comparison approach.

Despite the importance of this issue, it appears that whether Maine follows the individual comparison or combined comparison approach has never been decided by the Maine Supreme Court.  The Court was asked to rule on the issue in the only reported case that mentions the two different approaches, viz., Lowery v. Owen M. Taylor & Sons, Inc., 374 A.2d 325 (Me. 1977).

In Lowery, one of the two defendants in the case objected to the jury instructions provided by the trial court which clearly articulated the individual comparison approach.  Id. at 327.  The Supreme Court held that because the defendant did not object to the jury instructions at trial and even acquiesced to them “the point has not been saved for appellate review.”  Id. at 328.  As such, the Court declined to address the issue.

In footnote 3 of Lowery, the Court explicitly instructed: “This result should lead to no inference as to our conclusion if the issue sought to be raised by the cross-appeal were properly before us.  We are aware that there is a split of authority among jurisdictions [in other states] as to the appropriate method of comparing a plaintiff’s negligence in cases involving multiple defendants.”  Id.  As of the date of this article, it does not appear that the Maine Supreme Court has addressed this issue after Lowery.

IX. Limitation on Noneconomic Damages

Maine is one of the few states that do not statutorily cap the amount of noneconomic damages a plaintiff may recover in a medical malpractice action.

However, in wrongful death actions, state law does impose a cap of $500,000 “for the loss of comfort, society and companionship of the deceased, including any damages for emotional distress arising from the same facts as those constituting the underlying claim, to the persons for whose benefit the action is brought.”  MRS § 2-804(b).  Additionally, punitive damages in wrongful death actions are limited to $250,000.  Id.

X. Limitations on Attorney Fees

Contingent Fee Arrangement

Attorney fees are typically paid on a contingency basis in medical malpractice cases.  That means the attorney’s entire legal fee is paid as a percentage of any settlement amount or jury award.  If there is no recovery, then the attorney does not receive any payment as a legal fee.  Contingent fee arrangements enable all injured parties to have the benefit of legal representation in pursuing their legal claim regardless of their financial resources.  Most people simply cannot afford to hire an attorney on an hourly fee basis to pursue their claim, so they would be left with either just giving up on their claim or attempting to represent themselves, with the likelihood of recovering any damages only slightly higher than the former option.  Contingent fee arrangements empower the injured to take on healthcare practitioners, institutions, and insurance companies as equals.

This type of fee arrangement is permitted in every state as well as the federal court system subject to the basic ethical requirement that the fee amount is reasonable and not excessive.  Most jurisdictions impose a limit on the fee percentage somewhere between 10% to 50% of the amount recovered, depending on one or more of the following factors: (1) the type of claim, (2) the stage of the case in which it is ultimately resolved, and (3) the amount recovered.

It should be noted that costs and expenses are separate from an attorney’s legal fee.  Some examples of costs and expenses include, but are certainly not limited to, medical records, police reports, filing fees, trial exhibits, expert witness fees, and depositions.  Some attorneys will deduct these amounts from the final recovery while others will charge the client as they are incurred.

Limitations on Attorney Fees in Maine  

Maine law caps the amount of attorney fees in medical malpractice cases.  Under MRS § 2961(1),  the amount of the plaintiff’s attorney fees may not exceed the amounts in the following schedule:

• 33 1/3 % of the first $100,000 of the amount recovered;
• 25% of the next $100,000 of the amount recovered;
• 25% of any amount over $200,000 of the amount recovered.

The statute also specifically addresses future damages as follows: “For purposes of determining any lump-sum contingent fee, any future damages recoverable by the plaintiff in periodic installments shall be reduced to lump-sum value.”  MRS § 2961(2).

It also contains a provision that allows the plaintiff’s attorney to seek fees in excess of the statutory caps provided in Subsection 1.  MRS § 2961(3).  Subsection 3 states the plaintiff’s attorney may petition the court to review the reasonableness of the permissible fees under the statute, and the court may award greater fees provided that:

 

1. The court, considering the factors established in Maine Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5 (discussed below) as guides in determining the reasonableness of a fee, finds that the fees permitted by Subsection 1 are inadequate to compensate the attorney reasonably for the attorney’s services, and

 

2. The court finds that the fee found reasonable in the condition immediately above does not exceed the percentages set forth in the contingent fee agreement between the attorney and plaintiff as the maximum amount of compensation the attorney may receive.

Importantly, an attorney may only petition the court under this provision “if, prior to the signing of a contingent fee agreement by the attorney and client, the attorney informs the client, orally and in writing, of the provisions of this section.”  MRS § 2961(3).

In addition, the Maine Supreme Court instructed that the “statutory provision requires the court to undertake a careful analysis when approving a fee in a medical malpractice case that is greater than the statutory formula.”  Scott v. Lipman & Katz, PA, 648 A.2d 969, 976 (Me. 1994).

Rule 1.5 of the Maine Rules of Professional Conduct also imposes important limitations on attorney fees designed to protect all clients of which plaintiffs with a medical malpractice claim should be aware.  As a general matter, attorney fees in all cases are subject to the reasonableness standard that governs fee arrangements in Maine.  Rule 1.5 provides:

A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses.  A fee or charge for expenses I unreasonable when, after a review of the facts, a lawyer of ordinary prudence would be left with a definite and firm conviction that the fee or expense is in excess of a reasonable fee or expense.  The factors to be considered in determining the reasonableness of a fee include the following:

• the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly;
• the likelihood that the acceptance of the particular employment will preclude other employment by the lawyer;
• the range of fees customarily charged in the locality for similar legal services;
• the responsibility assumed, the amount involved and the results obtained;
• the time limitations imposed by the client or by the circumstances;
• the nature and length of the professional relationship with the client;
• the experience, reputation, and ability of the lawyer or lawyers performing the services;
• whether the fee is fixed or contingent
• whether the client has given informed consent as to the fee arrangement;
• whether the fee agreement is in writing; and
• any other risks allocated by the fee agreement or potential benefits of the fee agreement, judged as of the time the fee agreement was made.

It is important to note that the Comment 1 to Rule 1.5 states that the ten factors enumerated in the Rule are not exclusive and that each factor will not be applicable in every case.

Rule 1.5(b) requires lawyers to communicate to clients, preferably in writing, the “scope of the representation and the basis or rate of the fee and expenses for which the client will be responsible….”  This must be communicated to clients “before or within a reasonable time after commencing the representation….”

Contingent fee arrangements are expressly permitted by Rule 1.5(c), subject to the requirements described therein.  A contingent fee arrangement must be in writing and signed by the client, and it must “state the method by which the fee is to be determined, including the percentage or percentages that shall accrue to the lawyer in the event of settlement, trial or appeal….”  Id.  It must also explain what “litigation and other expenses [are] to be deducted from the recovery; and whether such expenses are to be deducted before or after the contingent fee is calculated.”  Id.  The agreement must “clearly notify the client of any expenses for which the client will be liable whether or not the client is the prevailing party.”  Id.  Finally, at the end of the case, “the lawyer shall provide the client with a written statement stating the outcome of the matter and, if there is a recovery, showing the remittance to the client and the method of its determination.”  Id.

Finally, in the event of a dispute with a client, the attorney is required to submit “the resolution of any fee dispute in accordance with the Supreme Judicial Court’s rules governing fee arbitration.”  Rule 1.5(g).

XI. Apologies and Gestures of Sympathy

Forty-two states have some form of apologies or sympathetic gestures statute (commonly referred to as “I’m Sorry” laws) that excludes expressions of sympathy, condolences, or apologies from being used against the person communicating such sentiments in a civil lawsuit.  This is typically achieved by characterizing such expressions as inadmissible evidence in a medical malpractice case.

Maine is among the states that have enacted an “I’m Sorry” law.  It is contained in MRS § 2907 and is specific to healthcare providers.  The statute shields healthcare providers who communicate gestures of sympathy or benevolence by making them inadmissible as evidence of liability in an action for medical malpractice.  The statute reads as follows:

In any civil action for professional negligence of in any arbitration proceeding related to such civil action, any statement, affirmation, gesture or conduct expressing apology, sympathy, commiseration, condolence, compassion or a general sense of benevolence that is made by a health care practitioner or health care provider or an employee of a health care practitioner or health care provider to the alleged victim, a relative of the alleged victim or a representative of the alleged victim and that relates to the discomfort, pain, suffering, injury or death of the alleged victim as the result of the unanticipated outcome is inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability or as evidence of an admission against interest.

It is important to note that expressions or admissions of liability of fault are not covered by the statute and are thus admissible as evidence in a medical malpractice action against the healthcare provider.  The statute reads: “Nothing in this section prohibits the admissibility of a statement of fault.”  MRS § 2907.

For purposes of the statute, the following terms mean:

1. Relative—an alleged victim’s spouse, parent, grandparent, stepfather, stepmother, child, grandchild, brother, sister, half brother, half sister or spouse’s parents. It also includes these relationships that are created as a result of adoption.  In addition, “relative” includes any person who has a domestic partner relationship with an alleged victim.  As used in this section, “domestic partner” is a person who has registered as a domestic partner under the applicable statute.
2. Representative—a legal guardian, attorney, person designated to make decisions on behalf of a patient under an advance directive or any person recognized in law or custom as a person’s agent.
3. Unanticipated outcome—the outcome of a medical treatment or procedure that differs from and expected result. MRS § 2907(1).

Although expressions of apology or sympathy may not be used as an admission of liability or otherwise as evidence, experienced medical malpractice lawyers in Maine understand that they can still be useful to potential plaintiffs.  Lawyers point out that receiving such an expression of apology or sympathy may alert the potential plaintiff that an error was made by a healthcare provider.  While the expression itself cannot be used against the healthcare provider in a civil action, it can serve as the trigger for the need to investigate the circumstances surrounding the plaintiff’s injury by contacting an experience medical malpractice lawyer.

XII. Website Disclaimer

This website has been prepared by Medical Malpractice Help for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information is not provided in the course of an attorney-client relationship and is not intended to substitute for legal advice from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction.

The information contained in this website is provided only as general information, which may or may not reflect the most current legal developments. This website occasionally contains links to other web pages. The inclusion of such links, however, does not constitute referrals or endorsements of the linked entities. Newsome | Melton specifically disclaims any responsibility for positions taken by users in their individual cases or for any misunderstanding on the part of users of this website or any linked websites.

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