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FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 S UP RE ME C O U RT OF T HE ST ATE OF NE W Y O R K C O U NT Y OF NE W Y O R K P E OP L E OF T H E S T A T E OF N E W Y O R K by I n d e x N o. 4 5 1 5 4 9/ 2 0 2 3 L E TI TI A J A M E S, Att or n e y G e n er al of t h e St at e of I. A. S. P art 6 0 N e w Y or k, (Cr a n e , J.) P etiti o n er , -a g ai nst - A B R A H A M O P E R A TI O N S A S S O CI A T E S L L C d/ b/ a B E T H A B R A H A M C E N T E R F O R R E H A BI LI A N D N U R SI N G, D E L A W A R E O P E R A TI O N S A S S O CI A T E S L L C d/ b/ a B U F F A L O C E N T E R F O R R E H A BI LI T A TI O N A N D H E A L T H C A R E, H O L LI S O P E R A TI N G C O., L L C d / b/ a H O L LI S W O O D C E N T E R F O R R E H A BI LI T A TI O N A N D H E A L T H C A R E, S C H N U R O P E R A TI O N S A S S O CI A T E S L L C d/ b/ a M A R T I N E C E N T E R F O R R E H A BI LI T A TI O N A N D N U R SI N G, LI G H T P R O P E R T Y H O L DI N G S A S S O CI A T E S L L C, DEL A W A RE RE AL EST ATE P R OPE RT Y A S S O CI A T E S L L C, H O L LI S R E A L E S T A T E C O., L L C, LI G H T O P E R A TI O N A L H O L DI N G S A S S O CI A T E S L L C, LI G H T P R O P E R T Y H O L DI N G II A S S O CI A T E S L L C, C E N T E R S F O R C A R E L L C d/ b/ a C E N T E R S H E A L T H C A R E, C F S C D O W N S T A T E, L L C, BI S F U N DI N G C A PI T A L L L C, S KI L L E D S T A F FI N G, L L C, K E N N E T H R O Z E N B E R G, D A R Y L H A G L E R, B E T H R O Z E N B E R G, J E F F R E Y SI C K LI C K, R E U V E N K A U F M A N, L E O L E R N E R, A MI R A B R A M C HI K, D A VI D G R E E N B E R G, E L LI O T K A H A N, S O L B L U M E N F E L D, A R O N GI T T L E S O N, A H A R O N L A N T ZI T S K Y, J O N A T H A N H A G L E R, a n d M O R D E C H AI “ M O TI ” HELL M A N , R es p o n d e nts . M E M O R A N D U M O F L A W I N O P P O SI TI O N T O P E TI TI O N E R, T H E A T T O R N E Y G E N E R A L’ S M O TI O N F O R P R E LI MI N A R Y I N J U N C TI O N 1 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 T A B L E OF C O N T E N TS P a ge P R E LI MI N A R Y S T A T E M E N T .....................................................................................................1 S T A T E M E N T O F F A C T S ..............................................................................................................4 A. T h e A G Fil es S uit T hr e e Y e ars Aft er It I niti at e d Its I n v esti g ati o n ..........................5 B. T h e A G’s R e c or d R e v e als All e g ati o ns C o n c e ntr at e d D uri n g t h e C o vi d -1 9 P a n d e mi c a n d Ot h er wis e Dis p ut e d B y E vi d e n c e I g n or e d b y t h e A G. ....................7 L E G A L S T A N D A R D ....................................................................................................................1 1 A R G U M E N T .................................................................................................................................1 3 I. T H E A G’ S R E Q U E S T E D P R E LI MI N A R Y I NJ U N C T I O N F AI L S T O M E E T T H E H EI G H T E N E D S T A N D A R D F O R M A N D A T O R Y I NJ U N C TI O N S ....................1 3 A. Gr a nt of t h e Pr o p os e d R eli ef W o ul d A m o u nt t o Gr a nti n g t h e Ulti m at e R eli ef S o u g ht a n d a Dist ur b a n c e of t h e St at us Q u o ...............................................1 3 1. T h e A G’s Pr o p os e d Pr eli mi n ar y R eli ef Is Virt u all y I d e nti c al t o t h e R eli ef It S e e ks o n Fi n al J u d g m e nt .............................................................1 3 2. T h e A p p oi nt m e nt of a n I F M D u pli c at es t h e M o n et ar y R eli ef R e q u est e d. ..................................................................................................1 6 3. N o E xtr a or di n ar y Cir c u mst a n c es E xist T h at W arr a nt Pr eli m i n ar y R eli ef t h at Alt ers t h e St at us Q u o. ..............................................................1 7 B. T h e R eli ef t h e A G S e e ks is O v er br o a d a n d V a g u e ................................................1 9 II. T H E B A L A N C E O F T H E E Q UI TI E S D O N O T W A R R A N T A P R E LI MI N A R Y I NJ U N C TI O N. ...................................................................................................................2 3 A. N o O n g oi n g Q u alit y of C ar e Iss u es I m p a cti n g P ati e nts ........................................2 3 1. T h e A G H as F ai l e d t o I d e ntif y O n g oi n g I nf e cti o n C o ntr ol Iss u es ............2 4 2. T h e A G’s R eli a n c e o n B uff al o C e nt er F ails t o S h o w O n g oi n g H ar m ..........................................................................................................2 5 3. T h e D O H R ef err al D o es N ot S u p p ort A Pr eli mi n ar y I nj u n cti o n ..............2 7 4. R e c e nt S ur v e ys a n d R ati n gs Fr o m F e d er al a n d St at e H e alt h c ar e A g e n ci es C o nfir m t h at A PI Is N ot W arr a nt e d ..........................................2 7 i 2 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 5. D O H Is E m p o w er e d T o E nf or c e A n y O n g oi n g St affi n g Vi ol ati o ns .........3 1 B. R es p o n d e nts W o ul d B e U n d ul y Pr ej u di c e d B y t h e A G’s Pr o p os e d PI .................3 1 III. T H E A G H A S F AI L E D T O D E M O N S T R A T E A LI K E LI H O O D O F S U C C E S S O N T H E M E RI T S .............................................................................................................3 3 A. T h e A G’s E vi d e n c e of P ati e nt H ar m Is I ns uffi ci e nt ..............................................3 5 B. T h e A G’s E vi d e n c e R e g ar di n g St affi n g A n d I n a d e q u at e C ar e Is Fl a w e d .............3 7 C. T h e A G’s E vi d e n c e R e g ar di n g T h e I m p a ct of t h e R P V Tr a ns a cti o ns o n P ati e nt C ar e Is I n a d e q u at e .....................................................................................3 8 D. A G F ails T o C o nsi d er I m p a ct of Ot h er I nt er v e ni n g E v e nts ..................................3 9 1. T h e A G F ails t o A c c o u nt f or C O VI D -1 9 P a n d e mi c ..................................3 9 2. T h e A G F ails t o A c c o u nt f or N ati o n al a n d St at e Wi d e St affi n g S h ort a g es ....................................................................................................4 1 3. T h e A G F ails T o A c c o u nt f or t h e D O H’s D el a yi n g T h e Eff e cti v e D at e of t h e St affi n g R e g ul ati o ns ................................................................4 2 4. A G F ails t o A c c o u nt f or t h e M a n d at e T o N ursi n g H o m es T o A c c e pt R esi d e nts ........................................................................................4 3 E. T h e N u m er o us D is p ut e d Iss u es of F a ct W arr a nt D e ni al of t h e A G’s PI ...............4 4 I V. R E S P O N D E N T S WI L L N O N E T H E L E S S A G R E E T O P R E LI MI N A R Y R E LI E F T H A T A D E Q U A T E L Y A D D R E S S E S T H E I S S U E S I N T H E P E TI TI O N. ....................4 6 A. R es p o n d e nts Will A gr e e m e nt t o t h e A p p oi nt m e nt of A n I H M .............................4 6 B. I F M O v ersi g ht Is N ot N e c ess ar y ...........................................................................4 7 V. R E S P O N D E N T S’ TI M E T O R E S P O N D T O T H E P E TI TI O N S H O U L D B E E X T E N D E D ......................................................................................................................4 8 A. T h e C o m pl e xit y of t his C as e a n d t h e V ol u mi n o us R e c or d W arr a nt t h e E xt e nsi o n. ...............................................................................................................4 8 B. A n E xt e nsi o n Is C o nsist e nt Wit h T h e Ti m e Fr a m es Aff or d e d T o R es p o n d e nts I n Si mil ar, B ut L ess C o m pl e x C as es Br o u g ht B y T h e A G. .............4 9 C O N C L U SI O N ..............................................................................................................................5 0 ii 3 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 T A B L E O F A U T H O RI TI E S P a g e(s) C as es 1 3 5 W. Br o a d w a y L L C v. 1 3 7 W. Br o a d w a y O w n ers C or p. , 1 2 2 N. Y. S. 3 d 8 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 2 0) .............................................................................................1 5 B ar b es R est. I n c. v. A S R R S uz er 2 1 8, L L C , 3 3 N. Y. S. 3 d 4 3 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 1 6) .............................................................................................3 1 B ass v. W V Pr es. P art n ers, L L C , 1 7 5 N. Y. S. 3 d 5 2 1 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 2 2) ...................................................................................1 2 , 3 4 C e arl e y v. Eli H a d d a d C or p. , 4 6 9 N. Y. S. 2 d 3 6 5 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 8 3) .........................................................................................4 7 P e o pl e e x r el. C u o m o v. D ell, I n c. , 8 7 3 N. Y. S. 2 d 2 3 6 ( S u p. Ct. Al b a n y C nt y. 2 0 0 8) ....................................................................3 6 F er di n a n d v. S ali n o , 9 5 N. Y. S. 3 d 3 0 4 ( 2 d D e p’t 2 0 1 9) ............................................................................................1 9 Gillil a n d v. A c q u afr e d d a E nt er., L L C , 9 3 6 N. Y. S. 2 d 1 2 5 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 1 1) .........................................................................................3 3 Gr o h v. H all or a n , 4 4 8 N. Y. S. 2 d 6 8 0 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 8 2) .........................................................................................2 0 H a ns e n v. Hi g h S o ci et y M a g azi n e, I n c. , 4 2 9 N. Y. S. 2 d 5 5 2 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 8 0) .........................................................................................1 6 H H Ci n ci n n ati T e xtil e L. P. v. A cr es C a p. S er vi ci n g L L C , 2 0 1 8 W L 3 0 5 6 9 1 9 ( S u p. Ct. N. Y. C nt y. J u n e 2 0, 2 0 1 8) .........................................................1 6 H o w ar d S yst e ms I nt’l, I n c. v. Ki e p er , 5 9 4 N. Y. S. 2 d 6 1 7 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 9 3) .........................................................................................4 7 I nt’l L at e x C or p. v. Fl e x e es, I n c., 1 1 9 N. Y. S. 2 d 4 0 9 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 5 3) .........................................................................................1 2 I nt erf ait h M e di c al Ctr. v. S h a hz a d, 5 0 7 N. Y. S. 2 d 7 0 2 ( 2 d D e p’t 1 9 8 6) ..........................................................................................3 2 J a m es v. i Fi n e x I n c. , 2 0 1 9 W L 2 1 4 2 2 9 7 ( S u p. Ct. N. Y. C nt y. M a y 1 6, 2 0 1 9) .............................................1 9 , 2 1 , 2 2 iii 4 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 P e o pl e e x r el. J a m es v. N. L e asi n g S ys., I n c. , 1 4 2 N . Y. S. 3 d 3 6 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 2 1) ...........................................................................................1 8 J Y N ot S o C o m m o n L. P. v. P & R Br o n x, L L C , 2 0 2 3 W L 3 1 0 6 9 2 5 ( S u p. Ct. B x. C nt y. A pr. 2 6, 2 0 2 3) ...............................................1 2 , 1 7 , 1 8 K al a m ot o us a kis v. K ar p , 2 0 2 0 N. Y. Mis c. L E XI S 3 2 0 7 ( S u p. Ct. N. Y. C nt y. J ul y 7, 2 0 2 0) ..........................................1 6 K az a ntzis v. C as c a d e F u n d. R M 1 A c q uisiti o ns Gr a nt or Tr ust , N o. 1 5 7 2 0 3/ 2 1, 2 0 2 3 W L 3 7 4 2 9 6 6 (J u n e 1, 2 0 2 3 1st D e p’t) ............................................1 2 , 3 3 St at e e x r el. L ef k o witz v. It ali a n Li n e , 3 9 1 N. Y. S. 2 d 1 3 2 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 7 7) ...................................................................................2 3 , 2 5 L o m b ar d v. St ati o n S q. I n n A pts. C or p. , 9 4 2 N. Y. S. 2 d 1 1 6 ( 2 d D e p’t 2 0 1 2) ..........................................................................................3 1 M az ur e k v. Ar mstr o n g , 5 2 0 U. S. 9 6 8 ( 1 9 9 7) .................................................................................................................3 4 N e w Y or k A ut o. I ns. v. N e w Y or k S c hs. I ns. R e ci pr o c al , 6 5 9 N. Y. S. 2 d 8 8 1 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 9 7) .........................................................................................1 1 N e w Y or k Cit y v. Gi uli a ni , 6 7 9 N. Y. S. 2 d 1 4 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 9 8) ...........................................................................................1 2 P B B I n v ests. II, L L C v. B or d e n L P , 7 3 Mis c. 3 d 1 2 2 0( A) ( S u p. Ct. N. Y. C nt y. O ct. 1 0, 2 0 2 1) .......................................................3 1 P e o pl e v. C ol d S pri n g A c q uisiti o n, L L C , N o. 6 1 7 7 0 9/ 2 0 2 2 ..................................................................................................................6 , 5 0 P e o pl e v. C o m pr e h e nsi v e at Orl e a ns L L C , I n d e x N o. E 2 2-0 0 5 8 2 ...........................................................................................................6 , 5 0 P e o pl e v. C S A - Cr e dit S ols. of A m., I n c. , N o. 4 0 1 2 2 5/ 0 9, 2 0 1 2 W L 1 5 7 7 9 6 1 ( N. Y. S u p. Ct. A pr. 3 0, 2 0 1 2) .........................................3 6 P e o pl e v. F ult o n C o m m o ns C ar e Ctr., I n c. , N o. 6 1 7 6 8 7/ 2 0 2 2 ..................................................................................................................6 , 5 0 P e o pl e v. Tr u m p , N o. 4 5 2 5 6 4/ 2 0 2 2, 2 0 2 2 W L 1 6 6 9 9 2 1 6 ( S u p. Ct. N. Y. C nt y. N o v. 3, 2 0 2 3) ..........................1 9 Pl ati n u m E q uit y A d vis ors, L L C v. S DI, I n c. , 1 7 N. Y. S. 3 d 2 8 9 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 1 5) ...........................................................................................1 2 iv 5 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 R a p a p ort v. Di a m o n d D e al ers Cl u b, I n c. , 4 6 4 N. Y. S. 2 d 1 8 0 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 8 3) .........................................................................................4 7 R esi d e nti al B d. of M a n a g ers of C ol u m bi a C o n d o. v. Al d e n , 5 7 6 N. Y. S. 2 d 8 5 9 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 9 1) .........................................................................................1 2 R o c h e v. Br u d er , 4 3 7 N. Y. S. 2 d 8 2 3 ( W est c h est er C nt y. 1 9 7 8) ...........................................................................3 1 S c ott o v. M ei , 6 4 2 N. Y. S. 2 d 8 6 3 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 9 6) .........................................................................................4 4 S e c o n d o n S e c o n d C af e, I n c. v. Hi n g Si n g Tr a di n g, I n c. , 8 8 4 N. Y. S. 2 d 3 5 3 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 0 9) ...................................................................................1 2 , 1 7 S h a k e S h a c k F ult o n St. B kl y n, L L C v. Alli e d Pr o p. Gr p., L L C , 1 1 2 N. Y. S. 3 d 1 9 6 ( 2 d D e p’t 2 0 1 8) ........................................................................1 2 , 1 5 , 1 7 , 4 4 S H S B aisl e y, L L C v. R es L a n d, I n c. , 7 9 5 N. Y. S. 2 d 6 9 0 ( 2 d D e p’t 2 0 0 5) ..........................................................................................1 2 S o m ers Ass o cs., I n c. v. C or vi n o , 5 4 8 N. Y. S. 2 d 4 8 0 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 8 9) .........................................................................................4 4 S p e ctr u m St a mf or d, L L C v. 4 0 0 Atl. Titl e, L L C , 8 1 N. Y. S. 3 d 5 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 1 8) ...................................................................................1 2 , 1 3 , 1 7 St. P a ul Fir e a n d M ari n e I ns. C o. v. Y or k Cl ai ms S er v., I n c. , 7 6 5 N. Y. S. 2 d 5 7 3 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 0 3) .........................................................................................1 8 St at e v. Fi n e , 7 2 N. Y. 2 d 9 6 7 ( 1 9 8 8) ..............................................................................................................3 1 St at e v. First I n v est ors C or p. , 5 9 2 N. Y. S. 2 d 5 6 1 ( S u p. Ct. N. Y. C nt y. 1 9 9 2) ........................................................................2 0 St at e v. Pri n c ess Pr esti g e C o. , 3 6 6 N. E. 2 d 6 1 ( 1 9 7 7) ...............................................................................................................3 6 U b er T e c hs., I n c. v. A m. Ar b. Ass’ n, I n c. , 1 6 7 N. Y. S. 3 d 6 6 ( 1st D e p’t 2 0 2 2) .....................................................................................1 2 , 3 3 W. 5 8t h St. T e n a nt Ass’ n v. 5 8 W. 5 8t h St. Ass o cs. , 4 6 9 N. Y. S. 2 d 3 4 4 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 8 3) .........................................................................................2 0 X er o x C or p. v. N eis es , 2 9 5 N. Y. S. 2 d 7 1 7 ( 1st D e p’t 1 9 6 8) ...................................................................................1 4 , 1 9 v 6 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 St at ut es E x e c uti v e L a w § 6 3( 1 2) .............................................................................2 , 3 , 5 , 1 4 , 1 8 , 2 3 , 2 7 , 4 8 G e n er al B usi n ess L a w § 4 5 8 [ h][ 1] ...............................................................................................3 6 H o m e S oli cit ati o n S al es A ct ..........................................................................................................3 6 P u bli c H e alt h L a w Arti cl e 2 8 ........................................................................................................2 7 P u bli c H e alt h L a w S e cti o n 2 8 9 5 -b ....................................................................................3 1 , 3 7 , 3 8 S o ci al S e c urit y A ct S e cti o n 1 8 6 4 ..................................................................................................1 0 R ul es M c Ki n n e y Pr a c. C o m m e nt ar y C P L R 4 0 1 .....................................................................................1 8 N o n -P e ri o di c al Cit ati o ns C o nti n u a n c e , O xf or d L e ar n er’s Di cti o n ar y, htt ps:// w w w. o xf or dl e ar n ers di cti o n ari es. c o m/ us/ d efi niti o n/ e n glis h/ c o nti n u a n c e ....................2 3 D e b or a h N et b ur n, A Ti m eli n e of t h e C D C's A d vi c e o n F a c e M as ks , L. A. Ti m es (J ul y 2 7, 2 0 2 1, 4: 4 7 P M) htt ps:// w w w.l ati m es. c o m/s ci e n c e/st or y/ 2 0 2 1 -0 7 - 2 7/ti m eli n e -c d c -m as k -g ui d a n c e -d uri n g -c o vi d -1 9 -p a n d e mi c ...............................................8 , 2 5 E d w ar d S e g al, W or k er S h ort a g e Criss is F o c us of N e w c a m p ai g n b y U. S. C h a m b er , F or b es (J u n e 1, 2 0 2 1)..............................................................................................4 1 Eri k a E d w ar ds, C D C R e v ers es C o vi d -1 9 G ui d a n c e, S a ys T esti n g M a y N ot B e N e e d e d Aft er E x p os ur e , N B C, ( A u g. 2 5, 2 0 2 0, 4: 1 8 P M), htt ps:// w w w. n b c n e ws. c o m/ h e alt h/ h e alt h -n e ws/ c d c -r e v ers es-c o vi d -1 9 - g ui d a n c e -s a ys-t esti n g-m a y -n ot -b e -n 1 2 3 8 0 1 3 ......................................................................8 , 2 5 F a ct S h e et: N ursi n g H o m es C o m p ar e Fi v e -St ar Q u alit y R ati n g S yst e m , C M S. g o v, htt ps:// w w w. c ms. g o v/ m e di c ar e/ pr o vi d er -e nr oll m e nt -a n d - c ertifi c ati o n/ c ertifi c ati o n a n d c o m pli a n c/ d o w nl o a ds/ c o ns u m erf a cts h e et. p df ............................2 9 Fi v e -St ar Q u alit y R ati n g S yst e m, C M S .G O V , htt ps:// w w w. c ms. g o v/ m e di c ar e/ pr o vi d er -e nr oll m e nt -a n d - c ertifi c ati o n/ c ertifi c ati o n a n d c o m pli a n c/fs qrs ..........................................................................2 9 T h e I m p a ct of H os pit al St aff S h ort a g es o n P ati e nts , T ul a n e U ni v ersit y S c h o ol of P u bli c H e alt h a n d Tr o pi c al M e di ci n e Bl o g ( N o v. 1 1, 2 0 2 2) htt ps:// p u b li c h e alt h.t ul a n e. e d u/ bl o g/ h os pit al-st aff-s h ort a g es/ ...................................................8 vi 7 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 I ns p e ct or G e n er al, H os pit al E x p eri e n c es R es p o n di n g t o C O VI D -1 9 P a n d e mi c: R es ults of a N ati o n al P uls e S ur v e y M ar c h 2 3 – 2 7, 2 0 2 0 (htt ps:// oi g. h hs. g o v/ o ei/r e p orts/ o ei -0 6 -2 0 -0 0 3 0 0. p df ).............................................................4 0 Ji m M usti a n, O v er 9, 0 0 0 Vir us P ati e nts S e nt i nt o N Y N ursi n g H o m es , Ass o ci at e d Pr ess ( F e b. 1 1, 2 0 2 1, 7: 5 2 P M) htt ps:// a p n e ws. c o m/ arti cl e/ n e w -y or k -a n dr e w - c u o m o -us -n e ws -c or o n a vir us -p a n d e mi c -n ursi n g -h o m es - 5 1 2 c a e 0 a b b 5 5 a 5 5f 3 7 5 b 3 1 9 2f 2 c d d 6 b 5 ......................................................................................9 J os e p h S p e ct or, C or o n a vir us: N e w Y or k R el e as es C o u nt y a n d A g e D at a o n D e at hs. W h at It S h o ws , Ti m es H er al d-R e c or d ( A pr. 6, 2 0 2 0, 6: 3 0 A M) htt ps:// w w w.r e c or d o nli n e. c o m/st or y/ n e ws/ c or o n a vir us/ 2 0 2 0/ 0 4/ 0 6/ c or o n a vir u s-n e w -y or k -r el e as es-c o u nt y -a n d -a g e -d at a -o n -d e at hs -w h at -it- s h o ws/ 1 1 1 8 4 4 3 9 2/ ( “ N e w Y or k h as b y f ar t h e m ost d e at hs a n d c as es i n t h e n ati o n … ”) ..................................................................................................................................7 R o b ert K u z ni a, C urt D e vi n e & Dr e w Griffi n, S e v er e S h ort a g es of S w a bs a n d Ot h er S u p pli es H a m p er C or o n a vir us T esti n g , C N N ( M ar. 1 8 2 0 2 0 6: 3 0 P M) w w w. c n n. c o m/ 2 0 2 0/ 0 3/ 1 8/ us/ c or o n o vir us -t esti n g-s u p pl y-s h ort a g es- i n vs/i n d e x. ht ml...........................................................................................................................8 S el e n a Si m m o ns -D uffi n, C o nf us e d b y C D C's L at est M as k G ui d a n c e ? H er e's W h at W e' v e L e ar n e d , N P R ( u p d at e d M a y 1 5, 2 0 2 1, 6: 4 4 P M) htt ps:// w w w. n pr. or g/s e cti o ns/ h e alt h -s h ots/ 2 0 2 1/ 0 5/ 1 4/ 9 9 6 8 7 9 3 0 5/ c o nf us e d - b y -c d cs -l at est-m as k -g ui d a n c e -h er es -w h at -w e v e -l e ar n ed ..........................................................8 S el e n a Si m m o ns -D uffi n, C o nf us e d b y C D C's L at est M as k G ui d a n c e ? H er e's W h at W e' v e L e ar n e d , N P R ( u p d at e d M a y 1 5, 2 0 2 1, 6: 4 4 P M) htt ps:// w w w. n pr. or g/s e cti o ns/ h e alt h -s h ots/ 2 0 2 1/ 0 5/ 1 4/ 9 9 6 8 7 9 3 0 5/ c o nf us e d - b y -c d cs -l at est-m as k -g ui d a n c e -h er es -w h at -w e v e -l e ar n e d ........................................................2 5 Y el e n a D z h a n o v a, N e w Y or k St at e N o w H as M or e C or o n a vir us C as es t h a n A n y C o u ntr y O utsi d e t h e U S , C N B C ( A pr. 1 0, 2 0 2 0, 9: 3 3 A M), htt ps:// w w w. c n b c. c o m/ 2 0 2 0/ 0 4/ 1 0/ n e w -y or k -st at e-n o w -h as -m or e - c or o n a vir us -c as es -t h a n-a n y -c o u ntr y -o utsi d e -t h e-us. ht ml ..........................................................7 Z o ë S c hl a n g er, B e g gi n g f or T h er m o m et ers, B o d y B a gs, a n d G o w ns: U. S. H e alt h C ar e W or k ers Ar e D a n g er o usl y Ill -E q ui p p e d t o Fi g ht C O VI D -1 9 , TI M E ( A pr. 2 0, 2 0 2 0, 8: 0 0 A M) htt ps://ti m e. c o m/ 5 8 2 3 9 8 3/ c or o n a vir us -p p e -s h ort a g e/ ..............................8 Ot h e r A ut h o riti es 4 2 C F R § 4 8 3. 1 0( a)( 1) ...................................................................................................................4 5 4 2 C F R § 4 8 3. 3 5 ............................................................................................................................4 5 1 0 N Y C R R § 4 1 5. 1 2 ......................................................................................................................4 5 vii 8 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 1 0 N Y C R R § 4 1 5. 2 6( i)( 1)(ii) ........................................................................................................4 5 1 0 N Y C R R § 4 1 5. 2 9 ......................................................................................................................4 5 N. Y. C o nst. art I § 1 2 .....................................................................................................................2 1 6 7 A N. Y. J ur. 2 d I nj u n cti o ns § 1 5 0 ( 2 0 2 3) ...................................................................................3 4 U. S. C o nst., a m e n d. I V ..................................................................................................................2 1 viii 9 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 R es p o n d e nts A br a h a m O p er ati o ns Ass o ci at es L L C d/ b/ a B et h A br a h a m C e nt er f or R e h a bilit ati o n a n d N ursi n g ( “ B et h A br a h a m ”); D el a w ar e O p er ati o ns Ass o ci at es L L C a/ b/ a B uff al o C e nt er f or R e h a bilit ati o n a n d N ursi n g ( “ B uff al o C e nt er ”); H ollis O p er ati n g C o., L L C d/ b/ a H ollis w o o d C e nt er f or R e h a bilit ati o n a n d H e alt h c ar e ( “ H ollis w o o d ”); S c h n ur O p er ati o ns Ass o ci at es L L C d/ b/ a M arti n e C e nt er f or R e h a bilit ati o n a n d N ursi n g ( “ M arti n e C e nt er ”) ( B et h A br a h a m, B uff al o C e nt er, H ollis w o o d a n d M arti n e ar e r ef err e d t o h er ei n as t h e “ N ursi n g H o m es ”); Li g ht Pr o p ert y H ol di n gs Ass o ci at es L L C; D el a w ar e R e al Pr o p ert y Ass o ci at es L L C, H ollis R e al Est at e C o. L L C; Li g ht O p er ati o n al H ol di n gs Ass o ci at es L L C; Li g ht Pr o p ert y H ol di n gs II Ass o ci at es L L C; C e nt ers f or C ar e L L C d/ b/ a C e nt ers H e alt h C ar e ( “ C e nt ers H e alt h C ar e ”); C F S C D o w nst at e, L L C; BI S F u n di n g C a pit al L L C; S kill e d St affi n g L L C; ( C F S C D o w nst at e, L L C, BI S F u n di n g C a pit al L L C a n d S kill e d St affi n g L L C ar e c oll e cti v el y r ef err e d t o h er ei n as “ R el at e d P art y V e n d ors ” or “ R P Vs ” ); K e n n et h R o z e n b er g; D ar yl H a gl er; B et h R o z e n b er g; J effr e y Si c kli c k; L e o L er n er; R e u v e n K a uf m a n; A mir A br a m c hi k; D a vi d Gr e e n b er g; Elli ot K a h a n; S ol Bl u m e nf el d; Ar o n Gittl es o n; A h ar o n L a nt zits k y; J o n at h a n H a gl er; a n d M or d e c h ai “ M o ti ” H ell m a n ( c oll e cti v el y, R es p o n d e nts ”) r es p e ctf ull y s u b mit t his m e m or a n d u m of l a w a n d t h e a c c o m p a n yi n g Affir m ati o n of J o a n n a E. M e nill o ( “ M e nill o Aff. ”) i n s u p p ort of t h eir O p p ositi o n t o P etiti o n er, t h e Att or n e y G e n er al’s ( “ P etiti o n er ” or t h e “ A G ”) , m oti o n f or a pr eli mi n ar y i nj u n cti o n. P R E LI MI N A R Y S T A T E M E N T E v e n aft er a n e xt e nsi v e, t hr e e-y e ar i n v esti g ati o n of R es p o n d e nts, t h e A G h as n ot c o m e cl os e t o d e v el o pi n g t h e r e c or d n e c ess ar y t o m e et its b ur d e n of est a blis hi n g cl e ar a n d c o n vi n ci n g e vi d e n c e w arr a nti n g a m a n d at or y pr eli mi n ar y i nj u n cti o n ( “PI ”) t h at g o es w ell b e y o n d pr es er vi n g t h e st at us q u o w hil e t h e C o urt a dj u di c at es t his s u m m ar y pr o c e e di n g . First , t h e A G’s m oti o n f ails as a m att er of l a w b e c a us e it d o es n ot dis c uss — l et al o n e m e et — t h e h ei g ht e n e d st a n d ar d f or i m p ositi o n of a m a n d at or y PI, p arti c ul arl y o n e t h at l ar g el y 1 10 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 o v erl a ps wit h t h e ulti m at e r eli ef it s e e ks o n t h e m erits. I n d e e d, t h e A G’s pr o p os e d pr eli mi n ar y r eli ef w o ul d eff e cti v el y p er mit t w o m o nit ors ( an i n d e p e n d e nt h e alt h c ar e m o nit or ( “I H M ”) a n d a n i n d e p e n d e nt fi n a n ci al m o nit or ( “I F M ”)) t o c o ntr ol t h e o p er ati o n s of t h e N ursi n g H o m es , h a v e a c c ess t o t h e R es p o n d e nts hist ori c al, c urr e nt, a n d f ut ur e r e c or ds, a n d t h e a ut h orit y t o r e p ort its fi n di n gs t o t h e AG o n a n o n g oi n g b asis — t h er e b y all o wi n g t h e A G t o w e a p o ni z e b ot h m o nit ors as i n v esti g ati v e a g e nts i n s u p p ort of t h e A G’s c as e f or t h e s u m m ar y pr o c e e di n g. M or e o v er, t h e e xt e nsi v e a n d o n g oi n g r e g ul at or y o v ersi g ht of t h e N ursi n g H o m es b y b ot h f e d er al a n d st at e a g e n ci es eli mi n at es t h e n e e d f or s u c h a br o a d m o nit ors hi p at t his e arl y st a g e of t h e liti g ati o n. T h e A G h as n ot cit e d a n y c as es w h er e a tri al c o urt h as i m p os e d s u c h a br o a d m o nit ors hi p, l et al o n e t w o, as pr eli mi n ar y r eli ef, b ef ore t h e C o urt h as e v e n m a d e a d et er mi n ati o n o n t h e A G’s u n d erl yi n g cl ai ms of p ersist e nt fr a u d a n d ill e g alit y u n d er E x e c uti v e L a w § 6 3( 1 2) . F urt h er m or e, th e A G ’s r e q u est f or an I F M is si mil arl y u n w arr a nt e d a n d o v erl y br o a d i n t h at it is m or e a ki n t o a r e c ei v er t h a n a m o nit or. R at h er t h a n si m pl y pr o vi d e t h e C o urt wit h tr a ns p ar e n c y a b o ut w h et h er t h e N ursi n g H o m es ar e a d e q u at el y f u n d e d t o pr o vi d e q u alit y c ar e c o nsist e nt wit h a p pli c a bl e l a w, t h e A G’s pr o p os e d pr eli mi n ar y r eli ef e m p o w ers t h e I F M t o e x er cis e c o ntr ol o v er t h e fi n a n c es of t h e N ursi n g H o m es. M or e s p e cifi c all y, t h e I F M w o ul d h a v e t h e a ut h orit y t o “ pr e v e nt [], bl o c k[], c a n c el[], r e v ers[e ], or m o dif y [] t h e t er ms ” of fi n a n ci al tr a ns a cti o ns b y t h e N ursi n g H o m es a n d/ or t h e R el at e d P art y V e n d ors. I n a d diti o n, t h e A G’s pr o p os e d pr eli mi n ar y r eli ef e m p o w ers t h e I F M t o “ i nstr u ct[] or dir e ct[]” c ert ai n fi n a n ci al tr a ns a cti o ns b y t h e N ursi n g H o m es a n d/ or R el at e d P art y V e n d ors. M or e o v er, t h e A G’s pr o p os e d r eli ef w o ul d gi v e t h e I H M u n c o n diti o n al a c c ess t o R es p o n d e nts’ fi n a n ci al i nf or m ati o n a n d d o c u m e nts, r e g ar dl ess of ti m e peri o d. S u c h a br o a d gr a nt of a ut h orit y at t his pr eli mi n ar y st a g e wit h o ut a d et er mi n ati o n o n t h e m erits is hi g hl y i n a p pr o pri at e. 2 11 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 S e c o n d , t h e A G f ails t o d e m o nstr at e t h at t h e b al a n c e of t h e e q uiti es f a v or i m p ositi o n of a PI . E x e c uti v e L a w § 6 3( 1 2) a ut h ori z es i nj u n cti v e r eli ef t o pr ot e ct t h e p u bli c fr o m o n g oi n g fr a u d. T h e A G’s P etiti o n is m ar k e d b y st al e, is ol at e d, c h err y -pi c k e d e x a m pl es, m ost of w hi c h o c c urr e d d uri n g t h e h ei g ht of t h e C O VI D -1 9 p a n d e mi c. T h e A G h as f ail e d t o d e m o nstr at e t h at t h e p ur p ort e d h ar m is o n g oi n g. T h e P etiti o n all e g es h ar m t h at e n d e d, b y all a c c o u nts, i n J a n u ar y of 2 0 2 3— wit h o nl y a h a n df ul of e x a m pl es i n A pril 2 0 2 3 w hil e t h e v ast m aj orit y of t h e all e g e d i nst a n c es of h ar m o c c urr e d i n 2 0 2 2 or e arli er, a n d n o n e i n t h e p ast s e v er al m o nt hs. M or e o v er, o v er t h e l ast ni n e m o nt hs , R es p o n d e nts h a v e r e p e at e dl y ask e d t h e A G t o s h ar e e vi d e n c e of a n y q u alit y -of -c ar e iss u es s o C e nt ers c o ul d i m m e di at el y a d dr ess s u c h iss u es, b ut e a c h ti m e, t h e A G h as st e a df astl y r ef us e d t o s h ar e a n y s u c h e vi d e n c e. I n a d diti o n, t h e A G di d n ot s e e k a t e m p or ar y r estr ai ni n g or d er or a n y pr eli mi n ar y i nj u n cti v e r eli ef i n t h e o v er si x m o nt hs t h at el a ps e d si n c e it r e c ei v e d t h e r ef err al fr o m t h e N e w Y or k D e p art m e nt of H e alt h ( “ D O H ”) t o c o m m e n c e t his a cti o n i n e arl y D e c e m b er 2 0 2 2. T h es e f ail ur es u n d ers c or e t h e a bs e n c e of ur g e nt cir c u mst a n c es or o n g oi n g h ar m w arr a nti n g t h e i m p ositi o n of a m a n d at or y PI . T h e C o urt s h o ul d n ot i m p os e t h e e xtr a or di n ar y r eli ef of t w o m o nit ors t h at ar e t h e f u n cti o n al e q ui v al e nt of r e c ei v ers b as e d o n t his r e c or d. O n t h e ot h er si d e of t h e s c al e, t h e pr ej u di c e a n d b ur d e n t o t h e R es p o n d e nts is o v er w h el mi n g. Im p osi n g t his t y p e of r eli ef w o ul d gr e atl y pr ej u di c e t h e R es p o n d e nts b y f or ci n g t h e m t o s urr e n d er c o ntr ol o v er t h e o p er ati o ns of t h e N ursi n g H o m es a n d pr o vi d e u nf ett er e d a c c ess t o s e nsiti v e h e alt h a n d fi n a n ci al r e c or ds i n t h e a bs e n c e of a n ulti m at e d et er mi n ati o n o n t h e m erits. T hir d , t h e A G’s r e c or d is i n a d e q u at e t o m e et its b ur d e n of d e m o nstr ati n g a li k eli h o o d of s u c c ess o n t h e m erits b y cl e ar a n d c o n vi n ci n g e vi d e n c e. T h e P etiti o n c h err y -pi c ks is ol at e d e x a m pl es t o pr o p u p t h e A G’s ulti m at e c o n cl usi o n. A n d, i n d oi n g s o, t h e A G i g n or es s e v er al, i n c o n v e ni e nt f a cts t h at w o ul d c ut a g ai nst its cl ai ms— t h e i nt er v e ni n g c a us e of C O VI D-1 9, 3 12 of 62FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 07/10/2023 02:41 PM INDEX NO. 451549/2023NYSCEF DOC. NO. 722 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 07/10/2023 n ati o n wi d e st affi n g s h ort a g es, a h e alt h c ar e w or k er s h ort a g e t h at w as d e cl ar e d t o b e st at e of e m er g e n c y i n N e w Y or k St at e, a D O H d et er mi n ati o n of a n a c ut e l a b or s h ort a g e, a n d g o v er n m e nt dir e cti v es m a n d ati n g t h e a d missi o n of p ati e nt s r e g ar dl ess of C o vi d i nf e cti o n. T h e P etiti o n li k e wis e f ails t o all e g e a n y e vi d e n c e d e m o nstr ati n g a li n k b et w e e n t h e fi n a n ci al tr a ns a cti o ns a n d st affi n g or q u alit y -of -c ar e iss u es , a n d r eli es on c o n cl usi o ns t h at r e q uir e e x p ert a n al ysis a n d o pi ni o n. D es pit e t h e A G’s f ail ur e t o m e et its b ur d e n, R es p o n d e nts ar e willi n g t o a gr e e t o a p p oi nt a n I H M t o d et er mi n e w h et h er t h e q u alit y -of -c ar e iss u es o utli n e d i n t h e P etiti o n e xist at t h e N ursi n g H o m es, i n cl u di n g w h et h er t h e y pr es e nt a ris k of i m m e di at e or i m mi n e nt h ar m t o t h e r esi d e nts of t h e N ursi n g H o m es, a n d t o m a k e r e c o m m e n d ati o ns t o a d dr ess t h e q u alit y-of -c ar e iss u es o utli n e d i n t h e P etiti o n a n d t o e ns ur e t h at t h e N ursi n g H o m es ar e pr o vi di n g q u alit y-of -c ar e c o nsist e nt wit h a p pli c a bl e l a w. R es p o n d e nts ar e als o willi n g t o a gr e e n ot t o: (i) t a k e a n y dr a ws or distri b uti o ns fr o m t h e N ursi n g H o m es; (ii) m a k e a n y p a y m e nts or c a us e a n y p a y m e nts t o b e m a d e, eit h er dir e ctl y or i n dir e ctl y, fr o m t h e N ursi n g H o m es t o t h e R el at e d P art y V e n d ors; a n d (iii) tr a nsf er or c a us e t o b e tr a nsf err e d, eit h er dir e ctl y or i n dir e ctl y, a n y ass ets fr o m t h e N ursi n g H o m es t o t h e R el at e d P art y V e n d ors. T h es e i nt eri m m e as ur es m or e t h a n s uffi ci e ntl y a d dr ess t h e A G’s c o n c er ns as o utl i n e d i n t h e P etiti o n, a n d ar e n o br o a d er t h a n r e q uir e d u n d er t h e l a w. A c c or di n gl y, if t h e C o urt d o es n ot d e n y t h e A G’s m oti o n f or PI o n t h e m erits, it s h o ul d d e n y t h e m oti o n as m o ot . S T A T E M E N T OF F A C TS I n M ar c h 2 0 2 0, t h e N e w Y or k Att or n e y G e n er al i niti at e d a st at e wi d e i n v esti g ati o n i nt o n ursi n g h o m e o p er at ors a n d o w n ers c o n c er ni n g t h e q u alit y -of -c ar e pr o vi d e d d uri n g t h e p a n d e mi c. As t h at i n v esti g ati o n pr o gr ess e d , i n J u n e 2 0 2 0, t h e A G s et its si g hts o n C e nt ers H e alt h C ar e a n d its N e w Y or k fa ciliti es. (Att or n e y Affir m ati o n of M ott y S h ul m a n d at e d J ul y 9, 2 0 2 3 ( “ S h ul m a n Aff. ”) ¶ 1 2.) D uri n g t h e c o urs e of its i n v esti g ati o n i nt o C e nt ers H e alt h C ar e, t h e A G s er v e d 7 0 s u b p o e n as, c o n d u ct e d d o z e ns (if n ot h u n dr e ds) of i nt er vi e ws of st aff, r esi d e nts a n d t h eir f a mil y
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Samuel Samrech vs. Saint Agnes Medical Center
Jul 25, 2024 |23CECG01594
Re: Samrech v. Saint Agnes Medical Center et al. Superior Court Case No. 23CECG01594Hearing Date: July 25, 2024 (Dept. 403)Motion: by Defendant Saint Agnes Medical Center for Summary Judgment If oral argument is timely requested, it will be entertained on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 3:30 p.m. in Department 403.Tentative Ruling: To grant. Defendant Saint Agnes Medical Center is directed to submit to this court,within five days of service of the minute order, a proposed judgment consistent with thecourt’s order.Explanation: Defendant Saint Agnes Medical Center (“Defendant”) moves for summaryjudgment based on the declarations of medical experts, Robert Cole, M.D.; LauraGarminde, BSN, RN; and John Evank, M.D., who opined that Defendant’s care andtreatment of plaintiff Samuel Samrech (“Plaintiff”) did not fall below the standard of care.The Complaint alleges as to Defendant one cause of action for medical malpractice,based on care provided on April 8, 2022 regarding a surgical procedure of a left inguinalincarcerated hernia repair, resulting in injuries and removal of the left testicl*.1 A trial court shall grant summary judgment where there are no triable issues ofmaterial fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ.Proc. §437c(c); Schacter v. Citigroup (2009) 47 Cal.4th 610, 618.) The issue to bedetermined by the trial court in consideration of a motion for summary judgment iswhether or not any facts have been presented which give rise to a triable issue, and notto pass upon or determine the true facts in the case. (Petersen v. City of Vallejo (1968)259 Cal.App.2d 757, 775.) The moving party bears the initial burden of production to make a prima facieshowing of the nonexistence of any triable issue of material fact; if he or she carries thisburden, the burden shifts to plaintiff to make a prima facie showing of the existence of atriable issue. (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 849.) “The standard of care in a medical malpractice case requires that physiciansexercise in diagnosis and treatment that reasonable degree of skill, knowledge and careordinarily possessed and exercised by members of the medical profession under similarcirc*mstances. ‘“The standard of care against which the acts of a physician are to be1 Defendant’s Request for Judicial Notice is granted.measured is a matter peculiarly within the knowledge of experts; it presents the basicissue in a malpractice action and can only be proved by their testimony, unless theconduct required by the particular circ*mstances is within the common knowledge ofthe layman.”’” (Munro v. Regents of Univ. of Cal. (1989) 215 Cal.App.3d 977, 983–984,internal citations omitted.) Normally, the question of whether a medical professional’s care and treatment ofa patient fell within the standard of care or caused the plaintiff’s injuries is a matter thatcan only be established through expert testimony. (Landeros v. Flood (1976) 17 Cal.3d399, 410.) Expert evidence is the standard for summary judgment in medical malpracticecases. (Willard v. Hagemeister (1981) 121 Cal.App.3d 406, 412.) When a defendant movesfor summary judgment and supports his motion with expert declarations that his conductfell within the community standard of care, he is entitled to summary judgment unless theplaintiff comes forward with conflicting expert evidence. (Ibid.) Affidavits of the moving party must be strictly construed and those of theopponent liberally construed. (Petersen, supra, 259 Cal.App.2d at p. 775.) The facts in theaffidavits shall be set forth with particularity. (Ibid.) The movant's affidavit must state all ofthe requisite evidentiary facts and not merely the ultimate facts or conclusions of law orconclusions of fact. (Ibid.) All doubts as to the propriety of granting the motion are to beresolved in favor of the party opposing the motion. (Hamburg v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.(2004) 116 Cal.App.4th 497, 502.) Here, Defendant submits, among others, the declaration of Robert Cole, M.D.(Defendant’s Statement of Evidence [“SOE”], Ex. 3.) Dr. Cole is a board-certifiedphysician in Surgery since 1988. (Id., Ex. 3, ¶ 2.) He has significant experience in thediagnosis, clinical treatment, surgical repair, and post-operative care of hernia patientssuch as Plaintiff, having treated thousands of patients with similar conditions. (Id., Ex. 3, ¶5.) He is aware of the standard of care of medical health providers, including nursing,staff, and other hospital personnel. (Id., Ex. 3, ¶ 7.) He is aware of a legal cause of injury.(Id., Ex. 3, ¶ 8.) Following his review of the medical records, Dr. Cole opined that the nursing staffmet the standard of care in treating Plaintiff. (Defendant’s SOE, Ex. 3, ¶ 12.) Namely, thenursing staff followed physician instruction and otherwise had no role in the surgicalprocedure. (Id., Ex. 3, ¶ 14(a).) After the hernia repair surgery, the nursing staffappropriately: documented the care provided to Plaintiff; did not place any unduepressure on the scrotum area; communicated with physicians and followed all orders;and provided standard and appropriate discharge instructions for a left inguinal herniarepair. (Id., Ex. 3, ¶ 14(b).) Dr. Cole opined that signs of testicular torsion would not beapparent at discharge, and usually takes 12 to 24 hours to manifest. (Id., Ex. 3, ¶ 14(c).)Upon return to Defendant’s Emergency Department, the nursing staff and personnelexpediently worked up Plaintiff’s care. (Id., Ex. 3, ¶ 14(d).) Dr. Cole further opined thatnothing Defendant’s nursing staff or personnel did or failed to do caused Plaintiff’s injuryof a left testicl* removal. (Id., Ex. 3, ¶ 16.) Defendant further submits the declaration of Laura Gaminde, BSN, RN, who hasover 43 years of nursing experience, the majority of which is in perioperative and surgicalservices. (Defendant’s SOE, Ex. 4, ¶¶ 1, 3.) She has experience in the management andcare of patients and conditions such as those of Plaintiff. (Id., Ex. 4, ¶ 4.) She concludesafter review of the medical records that the nursing staff of Defendant appropriatelyperformed Plaintiff’s preoperative assessment; reviewed Plaintiff’s history; took vitals;asked all of the appropriate questions; and completed a review of Plaintiff, asdocumented in the charts. (Id., Ex. 4, ¶ 10(a).) The nursing staff also followed physician’sinstructions, attended to their duties, and documented the same. (Id., Ex. 4, ¶ 10(c).) Post-operative care was also appropriate. (Id., Ex. 4, ¶ 10(d).) Emergency Department carewas also diligent. (Id., Ex. 4, ¶ 10(e).) Under the circ*mstances, Defendant has met its burden of showing that Plaintiffcannot prevail on his claim against Defendant for medical malpractice, on the issue ofa breach of duty and standard of care. The burden shifts to Plaintiff to come forward with conflicting expert evidence. Noopposition was filed. The court finds that there are no remaining triable issues of materialfact as to the only cause of action against Defendant, for medical malpractice.Accordingly, the motion for summary judgment is granted in favor of defendant SaintAgnes Medical Center and against plaintiff Samuel Samrech.2 Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rule 3.1312(a), and Code of Civil Proceduresection 1019.5, subdivision (a), no further written order is necessary. The minute orderadopting this tentative ruling will serve as the order of the court and service by the clerkwill constitute notice of the order.Tentative RulingIssued By: JS on 7/24/2024 . (Judge’s initials) (Date)2 Defendant further submits that informed consent was obtained. This appears to be in responseto one of the seven sentences that comprise Plaintiff’s complaint, referring to a failure to provideinformed consent for the surgical procedure. Dr. Cole opined that informed consent was obtainedby the treating physician. (Defendant’s SOE, Ex. 3, ¶ 13.) No opposition was filed to refute theexpert opinion. Nor is it apparent from the face of the Complaint that there are any allegations ofa*gency among the defendants, including the treating physician.
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WILLIAM HOYMAN, AN INDIVIDUAL VS MICHAEL ELLIOTT PLOTKIN, AN INDIVIDUAL
Jul 25, 2024 |23STCV28569
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