Case Summaries

Professional Malpractice

[12/08] Creekmore v. Maryview Hospital
Medical malpractice judgment is affirmed where the plaintiff's expert witness is found to be qualified to testify as to the standard of care under state law because he performs the same procedure in the same context at issue.

[11/15] Khodayari v. Mashburn
In an appeal from a judgment of the district court dismissing appellant's tort complaint against his former counsel in postconviction proceedings, judgment is affirmed where the complaints sounds in legal malpractice such that appellant's failure to show actual innocence of the concerned probation violations and to obtain post-violation exoneration of those violations support the trial court's dismissal.

[10/20] Simon v. Usher
In an appeal from a judgment of the appellate division reversing the trial court's grant of defendant's motion to change venue in a medical malpractice action, judgment is reversed where the five-day extension under CPLR 2103(b)(2) applies to the 15-day time period prescribed by CPLR 511(b) when a defendant serves its demand for change of venue by mail.

[10/18] Smith v. Cimmet
In an appeal from a judgment of the trial court dismissing a legal malpractice action brought by a successive estate representative on the ground that the representative lacked standing because he was never a client of the defendant-attorneys, judgment is reversed where: 1) an Oregon representative lacks capacity to sue in California because his authority does not extend beyond Oregon but may seek relief through an ancillary appointment by the California courts; and 2) under both California and Oregon statutory law, plaintiff has standing to sue attorneys who were retained by his predecessor to act on the estate's behalf.

[10/04] Liggon-Redding v. Estate of Sugarman
In a suit by pro se plaintiff alleging that defendant committed legal malpractice while representing her in a medical malpractice case in state court by failing to retain an expert, the District Court's dismissal of the complaint is reversed where: 1) Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1042.3, requiring the filing of a Certificate of Merit in malpractice cases, is substantive law that federal courts must apply under Erie v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64 (1938); and 2) appellant did comply with this substantive law.

[09/22] Shugart v. Regents of U.C.
In an appeal from a judgment of the trial court granting summary adjudication in favor of the defendants in an action for medical negligence, judgment is affirmed where trial court correctly entered judgment in favor of the Regents because plaintiffs failed to raise a triable issue of fact as to the claims against these defendants, but reversed with respect to defendant-doctor because plaintiffs' expert declaration was admissible and raised triable issues as to defendant's alleged medical negligence.

[06/02] Collins v. Sutter Memorial Hospital
In an action for medical malpractice, judgment of the trial court granting plaintiff a new trial after vacating a defense summary judgment is affirmed, where order was timely under Code of Civil Procedure section 660 and based on proper grounds.

[05/26] Simke, Chodos, Silberfeld and Anteau, Inc. v. Athans
In a dispute arising from an action for breach of a contingency fee agreement, judgment of the trial court awarding attorney fees after entry of a default judgment for discovery violations is affirmed because a complaint does not have to specify, by dollar amount, the attorney fees that will be incurred and sought in a case ultimately resolved by a default judgment entered as a discovery sanction.

[05/05] In Re: Teligent, Incorporated
In a dispute arising from an action for legal malpractice, judgment of the district court denying motion to lift bankruptcy protective orders and cross-motion for injunctive relief barring defendant from attacking the validity of a settlement agreement on the grounds of waiver is affirmed where: 1) defendant-law firm failed to make the requisite showing to lift orders; and 2) it was not a party in interest with standing such that its failure to contest the validity of settlement agreement constituted waiver.

[04/19] Callahan v. Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher
In a dispute alleging professional malpractice arising from the drafting of a deficient partnership agreement by the defendant, summary judgment on the ground that action was time-barred is reversed because placement of actual injury upon the execution of the defective agreement was erroneous where CCP section 340.6 (a)(1), tolled the limitations period until plaintiff could establish a cause of action for legal malpractice.

[03/22] In re. Paul E. Warburgh
In an attorney disciplinary matter, the recommendation of discipline by Committee of Admissions and Grievances is adopted where an attorney who is the subject of a disciplinary proceeding may only resign from the bar upon obtaining leave of the Court.

More...