Lash v. Motwani et al

Filing 115

ORDER: Sparta Hospital's motion for summary judgment 82 is GRANTED. Sparta Hospital is DISMISSED with prejudice as a Defendant in this matter and judgment will be entered in its favor at the close of the case. Dr. Motwani's motion for summary judgment 89 is DENIED. This case will proceed to trial on Plaintiff's claims against Dr. Motwani. See attached Memorandum and Order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Mark A. Beatty on 3/31/2021.

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS
DIENNA M. LASH,
Plaintiff,
vs.
HARESH MOTWANI, ET AL.,
Defendants.

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Case No. 3:18-CV-01466-MAB

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
BEATTY, Magistrate Judge:
Dienna Lash, as an administrator of her late husband Glenn Lash’s estate, filed this
medical malpractice suit against physicians Haresh Motwani and Robert Panico, as well
as, Sparta Community Hospital District (“Sparta Hospital” or “the hospital”) under the
Illinois Wrongful Death Act, 740 ILL. COMP. STAT. 180/1, and the Illinois Survival Act, 755
ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/27-6. The Court previously granted summary judgment in favor of Dr.
Panico (Doc. 106). Now before the Court are Dr. Motwani and Sparta Hospital’s motions
for summary judgment and supporting memoranda (Docs. 82, 83, 89, 90). For the reasons
outlined below, Sparta Hospital’s motion for summary judgment is granted (Doc. 82) and
Dr. Motwani’s motion for summary judgment is denied (Doc. 89).
FACTS
As an initial matter, the undisputed facts in this case are not clearly laid out.
Defendant Sparta Hospital argues in its reply brief that summary judgment is not
contested as Plaintiff does not dispute its uncontested facts (Doc. 93, p. 1). Sparta Hospital
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is correct that Plaintiff does not clearly contest the facts set forth by Sparta Hospital by
going through each fact one-by-one and addressing whether it is disputed or undisputed,
as is customary. Rather, Plaintiff sprinkles her contested factual allegations throughout
her responses to both Sparta Hospital and Dr. Motwani’s motions. This lack of clarity in
the facts required the Court to dedicate an inordinate amount of time and energy toward
reviewing the factual record, including the exhibits supporting the briefs.1
Additionally, Plaintiff submitted six pages of medical records to the Court (Doc.
92-6). It is essentially the discharge instructions given to Mr. Lash, the nursing notes, and
the list of orders given by Dr. Motwani (see id.). Dr. Panico previously submitted a couple
additional pages of medical records (Docs. 79-2, 79-3, 79-4). The Court often had to rely
on the recitations of the medical records provided in the deposition testimony of the
various medical providers and expert witnesses. The Court has captured, to the best of
its abilities, the following factual allegations from all parties and the record as a whole.
I.

Parties & Timeline of Events
Sparta Hospital was, and is, organized and operating as a Hospital District

pursuant to the Illinois Hospital District Act, 70 ILL. COMP. STAT. 910/1, et seq. (Doc. 832). The parties agree that Sparta Hospital is a “local public entity” as defined by the
aforementioned Act (Doc. 83, p. 9). In 2016, Dr. Motwani was an independently
contracted physician granted privileges to practice emergency medicine in the emergency
department at Sparta Hospital (Doc. 83-3). Dr. Robert Panico (who, again, has already

1 The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals has astutely observed that “[j]udges are not like pigs, hunting for
truffles buried in briefs.” United States v. Dunkel, 927 F.2d 955, 956 (7th Cir. 1991).
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been dismissed) was an independently contracted physician granted privileges to
practice radiology at Sparta Hospital (Id.).
Plaintiff’s decedent and husband, Glenn Lash, was a resident of Pennsylvania
(Doc. 1). In August 2016, Mr. Lash traveled to Sparta, Illinois to attend a trap shooting
event (Doc. 83-1, pp. 12-13). He arrived in Sparta on Friday, August 5, 2016 (Doc. 83-1, p.
17). Four days later, on Tuesday, August 9th, Mr. Lash went to the emergency room at
Sparta Community Hospital around midday complaining of chest discomfort and
shortness of breath that began two days earlier (Doc. 92-6; Doc. 83-9, p. 2).
Ms. Lash testified that her husband went to Sparta Hospital because it was the
closest hospital to where he was staying while visiting southern Illinois (Doc. 83-1, pp.
44–45). She further testified that she did not think her husband cared whether the doctors
at the hospital were independent contractors or employees; he just wanted medical care
(Id. at p. 45). At the hospital, Mr. Lash signed and initialized a consent form for his visit
(Doc. 83-4; see also Doc. 83-1, pp. 45–46). Section 2.4 of the consent form states in relevant
part:
Physicians on staff, including but not limited to the emergency physicians,
hospitalists, pathologists, radiologists, anesthesia providers, and other
specialty or consulting physicians are NOT employees or agents of the
hospital and are independent contractors who have been granted the
privilege of using the facility of the treatment of their patients. I
acknowledge that the employment or agency status of physicians or other
providers who treat me is not relevant to my selection of this facility for my
care. I recognize that all physicians on the medical staff exercise their own
independent medical judgment with respect to my treatment.
(Doc. 83-4) (emphasis added.)

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Dr. Motwani was the physician responsible for Mr. Lash’s care on August 9, 2016
(Doc. 83-5, pp. 135-136). Mr. Lash was also seen by nurses and other staff members at
Sparta Hospital during the time he was in the ER (see Doc. 92-6). He was triaged at
12:37pm and communicated to a nurse that his shortness of breath, which started two
days prior, was getting worse but the chest discomfort had subsided (Doc. 92-6; Doc. 794). He did not report any significant past medical history, such as a prior history of
coronary artery disease, heart attack, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, diabetes,
hypertension, or hyperlipidemia (see Doc. 92-6, Doc. 79-4; Doc. 83-7, pp. 1–2; Doc. 83-8, p.
14). And he did not know of any family history of premature coronary artery disease or
sudden cardiac death (see Doc. 92-6, Doc. 79-4; Doc. 83-7, pp. 1–2; Doc. 83-8, p. 14).
It was noted that Mr. Lash was a former smoker and obese with a BMI of 36, as he
weighed approximately 265 pounds and was 6 feet tall (Doc. 92-6; Doc. 79-4). Mr. Lash’s
vital signs were taken and recorded; in pertinent part, his blood pressure was 151/66 and
his oxygen saturation level was 94% (Doc. 92-6; Doc. 79-4). Plaintiff’s experts testified that
his blood pressure was elevated (Doc. 83-10, p. 15; see also Doc. 83-8, p. 12). His primary
care expert testified his oxygen saturation was low (Doc. 83-10, p. 14), while his
cardiology expert testified it was “borderline normal” (Doc. 83-8, p. 13). The nurse also
noted that Mr. Lash “appeared anxious,” but there was no further description of the
characteristics of or assessment for anxiety (Doc. 92-6, p. 3).
The nurse then notified Dr. Motwani that Mr. Lash was in the ER, and per protocol,
she initiated orders for an EKG, blood work, and a chest x-ray (Doc. 79-9, pp. 7, 13–14; see
also Doc. 92-6, pp. 3, 5–6). Dr. Motwani then took Mr. Lash’s history of his presenting
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illness and past medical history and conducted a medical examination (Doc. 83-5, p. 136).
On examination, Mr. Lash had clear lungs and regular heart rhythm without murmurs,
rubs, or gallops (Doc. 83-7, p. 3). Dr. Motwani verified the nurses orders for an EKG, lab
work, and a chest x-ray (Doc. 83-5, pp. 136, 158, 162–63).
A nurse conducted the EKG around 12:47pm (Doc. 92-6, p. 3). At 12:57pm, blood
samples were drawn (Id.). And at around 1:15, the chest x-ray was performed (Id.). The
nurse and Dr. Motwani both testified that Mr. Lash’s EKG was normal (Doc. 79-9, p. 7;
Doc. 83-5, pp. 138, 171, 172), as did Plaintiff’s cardiology expert, Dr. Eric Osborn (Doc. 837, p. 3; Doc. 83-8, pp. 12–13).2 Dr. Osborn testified that Mr. Lash’s laboratory results were
notable for negative cardiac enzymes and troponin within normal limits, which means
they did not detect anything in the blood suggesting Mr. Lash had had a heart attack
(Doc. 83-7, p. 3; Doc. 83-8, p. 7). However, his white blood cells were slightly elevated, as
was his blood sugar (Doc. 79-4, p. 5), both of which can be associated with a cardiac event
(Doc. 83-8, pp. 14–15; Doc. 83-10, pp. 16–17). The chest x-ray was read by radiologist, Dr.
Robert Panico (Doc. 79-2; Doc. 79-3). His initial “wet read,” which is what would have
been provided to Dr. Motwani, was that there were radiographic findings of mild

On the other hand, Plaintiff’s primary care expert, Dr. Finley Brown, testified the EKG was “more likely
than not abnormal” (Doc. 83-9, p. 3). Dr. Brown explained that Mr. Lash’s white blood cell count was
elevated “with a shift to the left, best explained by acute cardiac disease, CHF [congestive heart failure],
and/or PE [pulmonary embolism]” (Id.).

2

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congestive heart failure and a slightly prominent right hilum,3 and he said a CT scan
should be considered (Doc. 79-3; see also Doc. 83-5, pp. 139, 186; Doc. 83-7, p. 3).
Around 1:45pm, a little over an hour after Mr. Lash was first seen, a nurse took his
vitals again (Doc. 96-2, p. 3). His blood pressure was 122/57, which is normal, and his
oxygen saturation level was 95% (Id.; Doc. 83-8, p. 12; Doc. 83-10, p. 16). At this point, Mr.
Lash communicated that he felt better as the nurses reassured him multiple times (Doc.
96-2, p. 3).
Dr. Motwani ultimately diagnosed Mr. Lash with anxiety reaction (Doc. 83-5, pp.
136, 199-201, 208-209; Doc. 92-6). At 1:58pm, Mr. Lash was given 0.5mg of Ativan (Id.).4
His vitals were taken again around 2:00pm, and his blood pressure was 131/54, which is
normal, and his oxygen saturation level was 94% (Doc. 92-6, p. 4; Doc. 83-8, p. 12; Doc.
83-10, p. 16). He was discharged a few minutes later, after spending approximately an
hour and a half in the emergency room (see Doc. 92-6, p. 4). Dr. Motwani testified that,
essentially, Mr. Lash’s physical examination and test results (from his EKG, cardiac
enzymes, and chest X-ray, for example) were all normal and supported his decision to
discharge Mr. Lash (Doc. 83-5, p. 201).

Plaintiff’s cardiology expert, Dr. Eric Osborn, described the hilum as a “relatively complex part of the
lung that includes airways, lymph nodes, blood vessels, other structures” (Doc. 83-8, p. 10). He testified
that an enlarged right hilum could be caused by congestive heart failure or a cancerous mass (Id.).
3

Ativan is a brand name for Lorazepam, which is a benzodiazepine used to relieve anxiety. Medline Plus,
Lorazepam, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682053.html#why (last visited Mar. 31, 2021). See
also Doc. 83-8, p. 18.
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4

The discharge instructions indicated that Mr. Lash had been evaluated and given
additional information for “anxiety reaction” (Doc. 92-6, p. 1). He was instructed to
continue taking ibuprofen and Norco as ordered, both of which had been prescribed prior
to his emergency room visit to be taken as needed for lower back, knee, and Achilles
tendon pain (Id.; Doc. 83-9, p. 2).5 Dr. Motwani also gave him a prescription for fifteen
Xanax pills (0.25mg) to be taken as needed (Doc. 92-6, p. 1). Finally, Mr. Lash was
instructed to “Follow up with your doctor in one week even if well . . . for R Hilar LN
enlargement” (Id.).
The following evening, Mr. Lash was at a meeting, when he reported feeling dizzy
and then collapsed (Doc. 83-1, pp. 25–26). He was taken by ambulance back to Sparta
Hospital, unconscious and in cardiac arrest (Doc. 83-7, p. 3; Doc. 83-9, p. 3). Attempts to
resuscitate him were unsuccessful and he died roughly 30 hours after he had been
discharged from the emergency room with a diagnosis of anxiety (Doc. 83-7, p. 3; Doc.
83-9, p. 3).
The death certificate noted that the immediate cause of death was cardiac arrest
due to a cardiopulmonary event (Doc. 83-7, p. 3). No autopsy was performed, a decision
that the family was not a part of or consulted on prior to Mr. Lash’s body being
transported back to Pennsylvania (Doc. 83-1, pp. 27-28). Dr. John Vandover was the
emergency physician who treated Mr. Lash at Sparta Hospital the day he died (Doc. 927). He testified that his clinical impression of Mr. Lash’s death was a cardiac arrest

5 It appears these medications had been prescribed to Mr. Lash sometime before his trip to the emergency
room at Sparta Hospital and he took them only as needed (see Doc. 92-6).
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secondary to asystole, which he agreed meant the arrhythmia (lack of heart rhythm) was
the cause of the death (Id. at p. 47). Dr. Vandover testified that if he felt strongly that an
autopsy was necessary to determine the cause of death, he would have made a notation
in the records, and he did not make such a notation (Doc. 92-7, pp. 22-23).
II.

Plaintiff’s Experts
Plaintiff disclosed two expert witnesses: a cardiologist, Dr. Eric Osborn, and a

family care physician, Dr. Finley Brown. Additionally, Plaintiff disclosed a nursing
expert, Ms. Starlyn Reynolds.
A. Dr. Eric Osborn
Dr. Eric Osborn is a cardiologist with a subspecialty in interventional cardiology
(Doc. 79-5, pp. 29–34; Doc. 83-8, p. 4). His clinical practice is based at Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center, which is one of the three major teaching hospitals affiliated
with Harvard Medical School, where he is an instructor and the director of the
Interventional Cardiology Fellowship (Doc. 79-5, pp. 29–34; Doc. 83-8, p. 4).
Dr. Osborne believes that Mr. Lash most likely suffered a fatal cardiac arrhythmia
that led to sudden cardiac arrest (Doc. 83-7). He explained that arrhythmia, which is an
irregular heartbeat, leads to abnormal blood circulation and low blood pressure and then
ultimately collapse and cardiopulmonary arrest.” (Doc. 83-8, p. 6). He further explained
that sudden cardiac arrest is often attributable to two major causes: acute coronary
syndrome and pulmonary embolus (Doc. 83-8, p. 7).
According to Dr. Osborne, Mr. Lash was objectively at an increased risk of cardiac
complications given his smoking history, his weight, his recent diagnosis of
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hypertension, his age, and his male gender (Doc. 83-7, p. 4). Given those characteristics,
the sudden onset of chest discomfort and shortness of breath that had been intermittent
over a couple of days, and the abnormal chest x-ray, Dr. Osborn believes the most likely
explanation for Mr. Lash’s cardiac arrest is acute coronary syndrome, specifically an
unstable angina (Doc. 83-8, p. 7). But other possible explanations include congestive heart
failure and pulmonary embolus (Doc. 83-7, p. 4; Doc. 83-8, pp. 6–7, 10). These conditions
“warrant[ed] further immediate study so a reasonable treatment plan can be established”
(Doc. 83-7, p. 4).
Dr. Osborn opined that the standard of care required Mr. Lash to be admitted to
the hospital for a period of clinical observation (at the absolute very least), but also for
additional monitoring and diagnostic testing (Doc. 83-7, p. 4; Doc. 83-8, p. 16). Dr. Osborn
further opined that the standard of care required Dr. Motwani to consult with a
cardiologist in order to determine the appropriate evaluation and management (Doc. 837, p. 4).
According to Dr. Osborne, if Mr. Lash had been admitted to the hospital, the cause
of his subsequent cardiac arrest may have been identified on subsequent testing and/or
monitoring before the event, and may have prevented his cardiac arrest altogether (Doc.
83-7, p. 5). If Mr. Lash had suffered cardiac arrest while in the hospital for observation,
he would have had a significantly increased likelihood of successful resuscitation and
survival (Id.). Dr Osborne opined that, to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, Mr.
Lash’s premature discharge from the hospital, caused him an increased risk of harm and
significantly reduced his chance of survival and recovery (Id.)
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B. Dr. Finley Brown
Dr. Finley Brown is a board-certified family practice physician who runs a primary
care practice in Chicago Illinois (Doc. 83-10, p. 3).
Dr. Brown stated that Mr. Lash had a “problem list,” meaning multiple risk factors,
including but not limited to, his age, his gender, his weight, and his history as a former
smoker (Doc. 83-7, pp. 2, 4) Dr. Brown is of the opinion that Mr. Lash’s vital signs at
admission to the emergency room were “quite abnormal” (Doc. 83-9, p. 2). Specifically,
his blood pressure was high and his oxygen saturation of 94% and 95% was low, which
could be explained by acute heart failure, pulmonary embolus, or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (Id. at pp. 2, 3). Dr. Brown is also of the opinion that the chest x-ray
was “wildly abnormal” and the EKG was also abnormal until proven otherwise, and the
abnormalities are best explained by acute cardiac disease, congestive heart failure,
and/or pulmonary embolus (Id. at pp. 3, 4). Dr. Brown stated that Mr. Lash’s elevated
blood sugar should have also been a concern because “it is well-known that many
patients presenting with impending [myocardial infarction],” which is more commonly
known as a heart attack, have an elevated blood sugar (Doc. 83-7, p. 3).
According to Dr. Brown, “[s]hortness of breath and chest pain are
cardiopulmonary disease . . . until proven otherwise” (Doc. 83-9, p. 2). And “[a]ssociated
anxiety means cardiac anxiety until proven otherwise” (Id.). Dr. Brown opined that given
Mr. Lash’s characteristics, the abnormal vitals, labs, chest x-ray, and EKG, the standard
of care required immediate cardiac and pulmonary consultations, admission to the
intensive care unit, and a detailed workup and evaluation to include serial cardiac
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enzymes, d-dimer, ventilation–perfusionscan, CT of the chest, arterial blood gasses, and
pulmonary function tests, or stabilization and transfer to a tertiary care, universityaffiliated hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, for example, which was 1.25 hours away by
ambulance or 20 minutes by air transfer (Id. at pp. 2, 4).
In his expert report, Dr. Brown lists fourteen different ways that Dr. Motwani, Dr.
Panico, and employees of Sparta Hospital were negligent (Doc. 83-9, pp. 5–6). That list,
boiled down, is that the aforementioned failed to properly evaluate the results of the lab
tests and diagnostic tests, failed to appreciate what those results meant when paired with
Mr. Lash’s personal history, presentation, and vital signs, failed to recognize the signs of
a potential cardiac or pulmonary problem, and failed to admit Mr. Lash and order an
appropriate workup and evaluation, all of which resulted in an improper diagnosis and
improper treatment, which directly caused Mr. Lash’s death (Id. at pp. 5, 6).
Dr. Brown also testified that Dr. Motwani and “other caregivers at Sparta
Community Hospital” failed to provide informed consent to Mr. Lash about the
possibility that his chest pain, shortness of breath, and anxiety were life-threatening
cardiopulmonary disease, including pulmonary embolus, requiring admission to the
intensive care unit for workup and evaluation. They also failed to notify Mr. Lash about
the congestive heart failure and of the abnormal diagnostic findings, and did not present
him with options for treating these findings. Had they provided Mr. Lash with this
information, that would have empowered him to insist on aggressive care or transfer to
a tertiary care, university affiliated medical center, or at least insist upon not being
discharged until he had been further assessed and monitored (Doc. 83-9, p. 5).
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C. Ms. Starlyn Reynolds
Plaintiff also provided a nursing expert, Ms. Starlyn Reynolds. Plaintiff contends
that the entirety of Ms. Reynolds’ report pertains to negligent acts and omissions by
Sparta Hospitals’ Staff (Doc. 83-11). However, as fully explained later in this Order, the
Court finds that the negligence of nurses at Sparta Hospital is not at issue in this case.
Therefore, the Court need not discuss the specifics of Ms. Reynolds’ expert report.
LEGAL STANDARD
Summary judgment must be granted “if the movant shows that there is no genuine
dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of
law.” FED. R. CIV. P. 56(a). The Court must construe the evidence in the light most
favorable to the nonmoving party and draw all reasonable inferences in favor of that
party. See Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 255 (1986); Chelios v. Heavener, 520
F.3d 678, 685 (7th Cir. 2008).
The initial summary judgment burden of production is on the moving party to
show the Court that there is no reason to have a trial. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317,
323 (1986); Modrowski v. Pigatto, 712 F.3d 1166, 1168 (7th Cir. 2013). If the moving party
bears the burden of persuasion on an issue at trial, it must “lay out the elements of the
claim, cite the facts which it believes satisfies these elements, and demonstrate why the
record is so one-sided as to rule out the prospect of a finding in favor of the non-movant
on the claim.” Hotel 71 Mezz Lender LLC v. National Ret. Fund, 778 F.3d 593, 601 (7th Cir.
2015); accord Felix v. Wisconsin Dep't of Transp., 828 F.3d 560, 570 (7th Cir. 2016). Where the
moving party fails to meet that strict burden, the Court cannot enter summary judgment
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for that party even if the opposing party fails to present relevant evidence in
response. Cooper v. Lane, 969 F.2d 368, 371 (7th Cir. 1992).
In responding to a motion for summary judgment, the nonmoving party may not
simply rest upon the allegations contained in the pleadings, but must present specific
facts to show that a genuine issue of material fact exists. Celotex, 477 U.S. at 322–
26; Anderson, 477 U.S. at 256–57; Modrowski, 712 F.3d at 1168. A genuine issue of material
fact is not demonstrated by the mere existence of “some alleged factual dispute between
the parties,” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 247, or by “some metaphysical doubt as to the material
facts.” Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 (1986). Rather, a
genuine issue of material fact only exists if “a fair-minded jury could return a verdict for
the [nonmoving party] on the evidence presented.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 252.
DISCUSSION
Dr. Motwani and Sparta Hospital each filed separate motions for summary
judgment. The Court will address each party’s arguments separately, for the most part,
except for defining the relationship between Dr. Motwani and Sparta Hospital as it relates
to vicarious liability and Plaintiff’s argument centered on the theory of informed consent.
Sparta Hospital’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 82)
The parties agree that Sparta Hospital is a “local public entity” as defined by the
Illinois Hospital District Act, 70 ILL. COMP. STAT. 910/1, et seq. (Doc. 83, p. 9). Sparta
Hospital argues that, as a local public entity, it is immune from suit under the Illinois Tort
Immunity Act, an argument the Court previously addressed in the context of a motion to
dismiss (Docs. 83, 41). Sparta Hospital also argues summary judgment is proper, as
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Plaintiff cannot establish proximate cause because the hospital cannot be held liable for
the actions, or inactions, of Dr. Motwani since he is an independent contractor, which Mr.
Lash acknowledged with a signed consent form. Finally, Sparta Hospital argues that
Plaintiff is attempting to amend his complaint through his summary judgment responses
to include claims that the Hospital is liable for the actions of its nurses. Before the Court
addresses Sparta Hospital’s arguments related to the Tort Immunity Act, it must first
address whether it is liable for the actions of Dr. Motwani and/or the nursing staff.
I.

Sparta Hospital’s Liability for Nurses’ Actions
One of Plaintiff’s major arguments is that summary judgment is not appropriate

because Sparta Hospital is on the hook not only for Dr. Motwani’s breaches of the
standard of care, but also for the breaches by Sparta Hospital’s staff, including nurses
(Doc. 92, p. 9). Sparta Hospital argues that any alleged negligence by the nursing staff is
not at issue in this case as there are no allegations of such in Plaintiff’s complaint and,
therefore, Plaintiff cannot attach liability to the hospital through any alleged actions or
inactions of the nurses (Doc. 93). Sparta Hospital argues that even if that were not true,
Plaintiff’s complaints about the nurse’s care of Mr. Lash still predominately relate to
issues surrounding his diagnosis and, therefore, Sparta Hospital cannot be held liable as
it is immune under the Tort Immunity Act for any claims related to Mr. Lash’s diagnosis
(Doc. 93, p. 3). According to Plaintiff, however, Sparta Hospital is mischaracterizing her
complaint, as she has always included factual allegations against nursing staff by
including language like, “SCHD was engaged in the business of providing medical care
to patients . . . through its officers, agents, employees and representatives” (Doc. 92, p. 9).
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In order to determine if Plaintiff properly brings claims against Sparta Hospital
through the actions of its nurses, the Court must first look to the language of the
complaint. “[A] party may neither amend its pleadings by argument in opposition to
summary judgment nor introduce new theories of liability in opposition to summary
judgment.” Colbert v. City of Chicago, 851 F.3d 649, 656 (7th Cir. 2017) (quoting Whitaker v.
Milwaukee Cty., Wis., 772 F.3d 802, 808 (7th Cir. 2014)). More specifically, “parties cannot
‘add entirely new factual bas[e]s . . . not previously presented.” Colbert, 851 F.3d at 656
(quoting Whitaker, 772 F.3d at 808). Case law emphasizes that “it is factual allegations, not
legal theories, that must be pleaded in a complaint.” Whitaker, 772 F.3d at 808.
Accordingly, when a plaintiff does plead legal theories, it can later alter or refine those
theories at summary judgment without a formal amendment to the complaint. Chessie
Logistics Co. v. Krinos Holdings, Inc., 867 F.3d 852, 859 (7th Cir. 2017). The rule is different,
however, when a plaintiff seeks to introduce a new factual basis for his claim that was
not previously presented in the pleadings. Id. at 859, 860; Whitaker, 772 F.3d at 808. “An
attempt to alter the factual basis of a claim at summary judgment may amount to an
attempt to amend the complaint” and “the district court has discretion to deny the de
facto amendment and to refuse to consider the new factual claims.” Chessie, 867 F.3d at
859, 860 (citations omitted).
Here, the Court concludes that Plaintiff is attempting to change the factual theory
behind Sparta Hospital’s alleged liability in her response to the motion for summary
judgment by adding arguments that Sparta Hospital can be held liable for the actions of
its nurses. In the complaint, Plaintiff alleges Sparta Hospital is liable for the negligent
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actions of its “officers, agents, employees and representatives” (Doc. 1, pp. 12–16). But
the only “officers, agents, employees or representatives” specifically identified in the
complaint are Dr. Motwani and Dr. Panico (see id.). And, the only negligent actions that
Plaintiff described are attributed to Dr. Motwani and Dr. Panico. More specifically,
Plaintiff alleges Sparta Hospital is liable for a list of 18 negligent actions committed by its
agents (Doc. 1, pp. 13–14). Those same 18 actions were directly attributed to Dr. Motwani
and Dr. Panico elsewhere in the complaint (see id. at pp. 3–4 (listing the negligent actions
of Dr. Motwani) and pp. 8–9 (listing the negligent actions of Dr. Panico)).
There is no mention of any purported failure by the nursing staff in the original
complaint (see Doc. 1), and Plaintiff never sought to amend her complaint to add such
allegations. Plaintiff does not mention or describe any acts directly attributable to a nurse
in the complaint (see id.). Plaintiff does not identify any nurses by name or assert any
claims against any nurses (see id.). In fact, a review of the complaint reveals that Plaintiff
never even uses the word “nurse” in it, not even once (see id.). And it stands to reason
that if Plaintiff’s claims were in any way based on the nurses’ negligent actions, then she
would have included the word “nurse” in the complaint, which she conspicuously does
not do (see Doc. 1). The certificate of merit attached to the complaint contains a passing
reference to an “RN Triage record.” (Doc. 1, pp. 20–22). But that’s it – that is the extent to
which it references a nurse or nursing in any regard (Id.). It is devoid of any reference to
any alleged negligent acts or omissions by a nurse.
Simply put, the only fair reading of the complaint is that Plaintiff’s claims are
based solely on the actions and inactions of Dr. Panico and Dr. Motwani. If Plaintiff’s
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claims were based on the actions of the nurses at Sparta Hospital, she certainly would
have alleged something more specific about nurses in her complaint.
Of course, a pleading can be “constructively” amended when both parties
expressly or impliedly consent to the constructive amendment. FED. R. CIV. P. 15(b)(2)
(“When an issue not raised by the pleadings is tried by the parties’ express or implied
consent, it must be treated in all respects as if raised in the pleadings. A party may
move—at any time, even after judgment—to amend the pleadings to conform them to
the evidence and to raise an unpleaded issue.”); Hutchins v. Clarke, 661 F.3d 947, 957 (7th
Cir. 2011) (applying Rule 15(b)(2) to new issue raised in summary judgment briefing);
Torry v. Northrop Grumman Corp., 399 F.3d 876, 877–879 (7th Cir. 2005) (same). The test for
permitting a constructive amendment under Rule 15(b)(2) is “whether the opposing party
had a fair opportunity to defend and whether he could have presented additional
evidence had he known sooner the substance of the amendment.” Hutchins, 661 F.3d at
957.
Neither party makes any argument regarding constructive amendment (see Docs.
82, 92, 93), and therefore the Court also declines to spend much time addressing it. Suffice
it to say Sparta Hospital expressly objects to litigating any issues pertaining to a nurse
deviating from the nursing standard of care (see Doc. 93, pp. 2-3; Doc. 83, pp. 4, 6, 7, 8,
15). And Plaintiff has not made any argument that Defendant Sparta Hospital otherwise
implicitly consented to it (see Doc. 92).
The Court thus concludes that Plaintiff’s introduction of new factual theories in
her summary judgment briefing is an “an unacceptable attempt to amend the pleadings
Page 17 of 30

through summary judgment argument.” BRC Rubber & Plastics, Inc. v. Cont'l Carbon Co.,
900 F.3d 529, 541 (7th Cir. 2018) (citations omitted). Consequently, the Court opts to
exercise its discretion to deny the constructive amendment and declines to consider the
new factual claims. Sparta Hospital cannot be held liable here in this case based on the
purported negligence of its nurses.
II.

Sparta Hospital’s Liability for Dr. Motwani’s Actions
Now that the nurses are out of the picture, Sparta Hospital can only be held liable

through the actions, or inactions, of Dr. Motwani. In Illinois, “a hospital can be found
‘vicariously liable for the negligent acts of a physician providing care at the hospital,
regardless of whether the physician is an independent contractor, unless the patient
knows, or should have known, that the physician is an independent contractor.’” Williams
v. Tissier, 2019 WL 6905935, ---N.E.3d--- (Ill. App. Ct. 2019), appeal denied, 144 N.E.3d 1209
(Ill. 2020) (quoting citing Gilbert v. Sycamore Mun. Hosp., 622 N.E.2d 788, 794 (Ill. 1993)).
In order to hold the hospital liable, a plaintiff must show that:
(1) the hospital, or its agent, acted in a manner that would lead a reasonable
person to conclude that the individual who was alleged to be negligent was
an employee or agent of the hospital; (2) where the acts of the agent create
the appearance of authority, the plaintiff must also prove that the hospital
had knowledge of and acquiesced in them; and (3) the plaintiff acted in
reliance upon the conduct of the hospital or its agent, consistent with
ordinary care and prudence.
Churkey v. Rustian, 768 N.E.2d 842, 845 (Ill. App. Ct. 2002) (quoting Gilbert, 622 N.E.2d at
795). Some Illinois courts have held that executed consent forms disclosing that
physicians are not employees of the hospital are “almost conclusive” in determining
whether a hospital should be held liable for the medical negligence of an independent
Page 18 of 30

contractor, Steele v. Provena Hosps., 996 N.E.2d 711, 734 (Ill. App. Ct. 2013), while others
have said the form is “an important fact to consider” but “is not dispositive.” Williams,
2019 WL 6905935, at *7 (citing James v. Ingalls Mem'l Hosp., 701 N.E.2d 207, 210–11 (Ill.
App. Ct. 1998)). Courts generally look to the circumstances surrounding the executed
consent form and the provision itself to determine whether liability attaches, paying close
attention to the font of the provision and whether it includes, for example, names of
specific doctors. See, e.g., Churkey, 768 N.E.2d at 244; Williams, 2019 WL 6905935, at *10–
12.
Sparta Hospital argues that Dr. Motwani is not their agent; rather, he is an
independent contractor, which Mr. Lash acknowledged by signing the release form (Doc.
83, pp. 18-19; Doc. 83-4). Plaintiff does not seem to address this argument, only referring
to it tangentially on occasion (e.g., “Thus, Sparta Hospital’s argument that . . . Dr.
Motwani [was] not its agent[] is irrelevant. The allegations against it, and the evidence,
show breaches of duty by its nurses” (Doc. 92, p. 12)). Plaintiff certainly never directly
addressed Sparta Hospital’s argument that Mr. Lash’s signed consent form indicates that
Mr. Lash knew, or at least should have known, that Dr. Motwani was an independent
contractor (see Doc. 92).
Normally, the failure to address an argument results in waiver. See Bonte v. U.S.
Bank, N.A., 624 F.3d 461, 466 (7th Cir. 2010) (“Failure to respond to an argument—as the
Bontes have done here—results in waiver.”); Cincinnati Ins. Co. v. E. Atl. Ins. Co., 260 F.3d
742, 747 (7th Cir. 2001) (a party’s failure to respond to a non-frivolous argument “operates
as a waiver”). The Court is reluctant to decide Sparta Hospital’s motion for summary
Page 19 of 30

judgment on the basis that Mr. Lash was on notice that his doctor was an independent
contractor, however, because even a cursory review of cases shows that absolving a
hospital from liability based on consent forms is not a straightforward issue, and there
are a number of factors here that may weigh against reliance on the consent form.6 For
example, the independent contractor provision at issue here is one of eighteen numbered
paragraphs on a one-page form (Doc. 83-4). It is in extremely tiny font. It is not bolded,
or in capital letters. There is really nothing that calls attention to it or denotes it as more
important than the other provisions except that it contains its own line for the patient to
initial. Furthermore, it was presented to Mr. Lash to sign in the midst of an emergency
medical situation in which he was seeking care from the Hospital itself, rather than
looking to the hospital and thinking of it as simply a place where his personal doctor
provides care and treatment.
Ultimately though, the Court need not definitively resolve whether Dr. Motwani
was an independent contractor or an agent of Sparta Hospital, because even if he was an
agent, it is clear that under the Tort Immunity Act, Sparta Hospital would be immune

For example, in the case cited to by Sparta Hospital, the plaintiff signed a consent form that indicated her
doctors were independent contractors. Churkey, 768 N.E.2d at 244. The court held this form established a
separate relationship between the hospital and the doctors, because the form itself included the specific names
of the three different practice groups who were designated as independent contractors. Id. at 244, 245. In
another case, the court did not find that the signed consent form unequivocally established that the plaintiff
was informed that the doctors were independent contractors. Williams, 2019 WL 6905935, at *10–12. The
Williams court examined whether the independent contractor provision was mixed in with other consent
provisions, where it appeared in the form, the precise language of the provision, the font size of the
provision, whether it was bolded or in capital letters, and whether the provision required a separate
signature from the patient. Id. The length of the form and its multiple contents, which the court called
“ambiguities,” led the court to conclude that whether the hospital provided meaningful notice to the
plaintiff that her doctor was an independent contractor was a material issue of fact. Id.
6

Page 20 of 30

from liability as Plaintiff’s complaints are squarely centered in Dr. Motwani’s failure to
diagnose Mr. Lash appropriately.
III.

Absolute Immunity under the Illinois Tort Immunity Act
The Illinois Tort Immunity Act immunizes local public entities and public

employees from liability for certain types of medical negligence. In particular they are
immune from liability if they fail to conduct a physical examination, or fail to conduct an
adequate physical examination, in order to determine whether a person is suffering from
a medical condition that poses a threat to their health. 745 ILL. COMP. STAT. 10/6-105 745
ILL. COMP. STAT. 10/6-105;7 Michigan Ave. Nat. Bank v. Cty. of Cook, 732 N.E.2d 528, 539
(Ill. 2000); Mills v. Cty. of Cook, 788 N.E.2d 169, 171 (Ill. App. Ct. 2003). They are also
immune from liability if they fail to diagnose a medical condition, if they misdiagnose a
medical condition, or if they fail to prescribe treatment for a medical condition. 745 ILL.
COMP. STAT. 10/6-106(a);8 Michigan Ave. Nat. Bank, 732 N.E.2d at 539; Mills, 788 N.E.2d at
171. They are not, however, immune from liability for negligently or wrongfully
prescribing treatment or for any negligence, wrongful act, or omission in administering

Section 6-105 states: “Neither a local public entity nor a public employee acting within the scope of his
employment is liable for injury caused by the failure to make a physical or mental examination, or to make
an adequate physical or mental examination of any person for the purpose of determining whether such
person has a disease or physical or mental condition that would constitute a hazard to the health or safety
of himself or others.” 745 ILL. COMP. STAT. 10/6-105.

7

Section 6-106(a) states: “Neither a local public entity nor a public employee acting within the scope of his
employment is liable for injury resulting from diagnosing or failing to diagnose that a person is afflicted
with mental or physical illness or addiction or from failing to prescribe for mental or physical illness or
addiction.” 745 ILL. COMP. STAT. 10/6-106(a).

8

Page 21 of 30

the prescribed treatment. 745 ILL. COMP. STAT. 10/6-106(c), (d);9 Michigan Ave. Nat. Bank,
732 N.E.2d at 539; Mills, 788 N.E.2d at 171.
Case law demonstrates the determination of whether there is immunity under the
Act turns on whether a correct diagnosis was made and whether treatment was
prescribed. See Antonacci v. City of Chicago, 779 N.E.2d 428, 434 (Ill. App. Ct. 2002) (“In
short, once the correct diagnosis is made and treatment for it is prescribed, all immunity
bets are off.”). Doctors or entities are immunized, however, when they overlook or
incorrectly diagnose a medical condition and consequently fail to provide appropriate
medical care.10 On the other hand, doctors are not immunized when they make a correct
diagnosis but negligently prescribe or administer treatment for that diagnosis.11

Section 6-106(c) states: “Nothing in this section exonerates a public employee who has undertaken to
prescribe for mental or physical illness or addiction from liability for injury proximately caused by his
negligence or by his wrongful act in so prescribing or exonerates a local public entity whose employee,
while acting in the scope of his employment, so causes such an injury.” 745 ILL. COMP. STAT. 10/6-106(c).
And section 6-106(d) states: “Nothing in this section exonerates a public employee from liability for injury
proximately caused by his negligent or wrongful act or omission in administering any treatment prescribed
for mental or physical illness or addiction or exonerates a local public entity whose employee, while acting
in the scope of his employment, so causes such an injury.” 745 ILL. COMP. STAT. 10/6-106(d).
9

See Johnson v. Bishof, 33 N.E.3d 624, 643 (Ill. App. Ct. 2015) (immunity where the doctors misdiagnosed
patient with muscle spasms and back/buttock contusion and provided her with appropriate treatment for
that injury, but patient really had a spinal cord injury; they “treated the wrong diagnosis correctly.”);
Wilkerson v. Cty. of Cook, 884 N.E.2d 808, 815 (Ill. App. Ct. 2008) (immunity where the doctors diagnosed
and appropriately treated patient for pregnancy and a vaginal infection, but failed to diagnose that she also
had cervical cancer, which ultimately killed her; “[t]he alleged negligence . . . was not based on the
treatment [the patient] received, but on the treatment that she should have received had the defendants
correctly examined and diagnosed all of her medical conditions.”); Mabry v. Cty. of Cook, 733 N.E.2d 737,
745 (Ill. App. Ct. 2000) (immunity where patient was misdiagnosed with asthma and appropriately treated
for that condition and the doctors never diagnosed or implemented a course of treatment for her true
ailment of a pulmonary embolism, which ultimately killed her).
10

See Mills, 788 N.E.2d at 172 (no immunity where differential diagnosis of pneumonia was correctly made
and treatment was prescribed pursuant to that diagnosis, but the treatment was inadequate); Am. Nat. Bank,
762 N.E.2d at 662 (Ill. App. Ct. 2001) (no immunity where the doctor correctly diagnosed the patient as
having a baby in the transverse lie position and appropriately prescribed treatment consisting of regular
Page 22 of 30

11

Sparta Hospital argues that a “fair reading” of Plaintiff’s complaint establishes that
Plaintiff’s action is a failure to perform examinations or otherwise diagnose Mr. Lash with
a cardiopulmonary condition, which Plaintiff argues resulted in his death (Doc. 83, p. 11).
Sparta Hospital contends that Dr. Motwani “made an ultimate diagnosis of anxiety
reaction,” and, “it is also undisputed that Dr. Motwani only treated Mr. Lash for anxiety”
(Id. at p. 12).
The Court must decide whether this case is mainly about treatment or diagnosis,
as that is the central question as to whether the Tort Immunity Act applies. The Court
looks first to Plaintiff’s complaint. Here, the key for the Court is to look to the gravamen
of the complaint and evidence before the Court to determine whether Plaintiff mainly
pleads issues and presents evidence related to incorrect diagnosis or incorrect treatment.
See e.g., Michigan Ave. Nat. Bank, 732 N.E.2d at 511; Johnson v. Bishof, 33 N.E.3d 624, 645
(Ill. App. Ct. 2015). The Court agrees with Sparta Hospital that, ultimately, Plaintiff’s
allegations in the complaint relate to issues with Ms. Lash’s diagnosis, such as the failure
to consider appropriate differential diagnoses; the failure to recognize, appreciate, and
address abnormalities in the diagnostic testing; the failure to properly evaluate Mr. Lash’s
presentation and risk factors; and the failure to perform necessary testing and engage
necessary consultations (Doc. 1). It all boils down to a charge that the doctor failed to
perform or failed to adequately perform examinations and evaluations that led to the
failure to identify Mr. Lash’s acute cardiopulmonary disease, which is the ultimate

monitoring, testing, and manual maneuvers to determine the baby's position and whether a Caesarean
section would be required, but then failed to schedule or perform such testing or manipulation).
Page 23 of 30

allegation of the complaint. The gravamen of Plaintiff's complaint is a failure to diagnose,
for which the Hospital is immune under the Tort Immunity Act.
The evidence also demonstrates this is a failure to diagnose case, not a failure to
treat case. The medical records and corresponding testimony show that Dr. Motwani did
not diagnose Mr. Lash with or provide any treatment for a cardiopulmonary condition.
Dr. Motwani’s notes indicate that his “clinical impression” was “anxiety reaction” (Doc.
79-4, pp. 5–6). And he testified that he “made a diagnosis of anxiety reaction” after
considering all available information, including Mr. Lash’s complaints, medical history,
vital signs, physical examination findings, lab work, EKG, and chest x-ray (Doc. 83-5, p.
201). Dr. Motwani further testified that he considered but ruled out any diagnosis related
to Mr. Lash’s heart. Specifically, he said that the enlarged right hilum identified on the xray had nothing to do with Mr. Lash’s heart (Doc. 83-5, p. 196). Dr. Panico similarly
testified that it was an “incidental finding” unrelated to any cardiopulmonary concerns,
and he mentioned it only as a precaution on the off-chance it could potentially lead to an
early cancer diagnosis (Doc. 79-7, pp. 6, 10–11). Additionally, while Dr. Panico thought
there was evidence of congestive heart failure on the x-ray, Dr. Motwani found that Mr.
Lash did not have any clinical signs of CHF based on his physical examination, so
“congestive heart failure was not diagnosed” (Doc. 83-5, pp. 187, 222).
There is also nothing in the record that suggests Dr. Motwani provided treatment
to Mr. Lash for any cardiopulmonary condition. Rather, the only treatment provided to
Mr. Lash was the lorazepam administered to him at Sparta Hospital and the prescription
for Xanax given to him at discharge. While the discharge instructions also mentioned the
Page 24 of 30

right hilar enlargement, it was only to say that it was a finding identified on the chest xray and Mr. Lash should contact his own physician to determine whether any further
evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment was warranted. In other words, Dr. Motwani declined
to evaluate the right hilar enlargement in order to diagnose any potential disease
associated with it or to provide any treatment for it.
Moreover, there is no expert testimony that Mr. Lash was given the appropriate
diagnosis, but the incorrect treatment. See American Nat’l Bank & Trust Comp. of Chicago v.
Co. of Cook, 762 N.E.2d 654, 661 (Ill. App. 1st Dist. 2001). In fact, Dr. Brown testified that
Dr. Motwani’s only diagnosis was anxiety (Doc. 83-10, pp. 9, 20). The expert testimony in
this case relates to Dr. Motwani mishandling Mr. Lash’s complaints, misinterpreting the
significance of his vital signs and diagnostic test results, and failing to conduct additional,
proper, and necessary consultations, monitoring, and testing, all of which speak to issues
with the doctor’s failure to properly diagnose Mr. Lash. The record is clear, whether right
or wrong, that Dr. Motwani unequivocally ruled out any heart-related issues in his
diagnosis of Mr. Lash. And “[a] differential diagnosis that is not chosen and/or treated
as the ultimate diagnosis is a misdiagnosis by definition.” Hemminger v. Nehring, 927
N.E.2d 233, 239 (Ill. App. Ct. April 8, 2010) (citing Willis v. Khatkhate, 869 N.E.2d 222, 230
(Ill. App. Ct. 2007)).
Ultimately, the Court must conclude that Sparta Hospital is immunized from
Plaintiff’s claims under the Tort Immunity Act.
IV.

Informed Consent
Plaintiff puts forth an additional argument separate from his arguments about
Page 25 of 30

vicarious liability based on the actions, or inactions, of Dr. Motwani, that Sparta Hospital
is liable based on a theory of informed consent that is not subject to the Tort Immunity
Act (Doc. 92). Specifically, Plaintiff alleged that Sparta Hospital “Failed to provide
informed consent to Glenn [Lash] that his symptoms suggested life-threatening
cardiopulmonary disease requiring workup and evaluation.” (Doc. 1, p. 4). For example,
according to Plaintiff, no one told Mr. Lash about the congestive heart failure finding or
explained to him the potential significance of his enlarged right hilum (Doc. 92, pp. 3-4).
And Plaintiff’s experts testified that Mr. Lash would have been “empowered” to insist on
a different treatment plan if he had been provided with the pertinent information (Id.).
According to Plaintiff, it is best left to the jury “to determine whether any alleged
undisclosed information would have altered the plaintiff’s decision to undergo the
proposed treatment had it been disclosed” (Doc. 92, p. 5, citing Coryell v. Smith, 653 N.E.2d
1317, 1321 (1995)). Plaintiff’s argument misses the mark.
In a medical malpractice claim based on the doctrine of informed consent, the
plaintiff is basically contending that they agreed to a particular treatment that they would
not otherwise have consented to had they known the material risks of the treatment. See
Crim v. Dietrich, 67 N.E.3d 433, 438–39 (Ill. App. Ct. 2016) (to prevail on an informed
consent claim, the plaintiff must prove that “(1) the physician had a duty to disclose
material risks; (2) he failed to disclose or inadequately disclosed those risks; (3) as a direct
and proximate result of the failure to disclose, the patient consented to treatment
[he] otherwise would not have consented to; and (4) plaintiff was injured by the proposed
treatment.” (citing Davis v. Kraff, 937 N.E.2d 306, 314–15 (Ill. App. Ct. 2010))). In other
Page 26 of 30

words, “a plaintiff must prove that a physician should have informed the patient, prior
to administering medical treatment, of the diagnosis, the general nature of the
contemplated procedure, the risks involved, the prospects of success, the prognosis if the
procedure is not performed and alternative medical treatment.” Crim, 67 N.E.3d at 434
(internal quotation marks and citation omitted). See also Davis, 937 N.E.2d at 315 (“The
gravamen in an informed consent case requires the plaintiff to ‘point to significant
undisclosed information relating to the treatment which would have altered her decision
to undergo it.’”) (quoting Coryell v. Smith, 653 N.E.2d 1317 (Ill. App. Ct. 1995))).
An informed consent claim presupposes that a proper diagnosis was made and
that treatment for the diagnosed condition was suggested or ordered without informing
the patient of the potential side effects and negative outcomes of that treatment. And it
requires the plaintiff to consent to and undergo that treatment. See, e.g., Davis, 937 N.E.2d
at 314–16 (plaintiff claimed she would not have undergone LASIK surgery had her doctor
informed her she had an increased risk of nighttime vision problems following the
surgery due to her “abnormally large night-adjusted pupils”); Coryell, 653 N.E.2d at 1318
(plaintiff claimed she would not have undergone back surgery had her doctor informed
her there was a possibility of developing necrosis and a large scar). None of that
happened

here.

No

physician

diagnosed

Mr.

Lash

with

a

life-threatening

cardiopulmonary disease. No physician recommended or ordered treatment for a lifethreatening cardiopulmonary disease. Therefore, it was impossible for Mr. Lash to
consent to any treatment for a cardiopulmonary disease and later come to regret that
treatment. And informed consent simply cannot come into play because it would require
Page 27 of 30

the Court to find that Sparta Hospital is liable for treatment that was never given for a
diagnosis that was never made.
As such, this theory cannot keep Sparta Hospital in the case, and Sparta Hospital
will be dismissed from the present matter as it is immune from suit under the Tort
Immunity Act.
Dr. Motwani’s Motion for Summary Judgment (Doc. 90)
Dr. Motwani’s sole argument in his motion for summary judgment is that Plaintiff
cannot establish proximate cause (Doc. 90).
Under Illinois law, to prove a claim of medical malpractice a plaintiff has the
burden of establishing, through expert testimony, (1) the applicable standard of care
against which the professional's conduct must be measured; (2) an unskilled or negligent
deviation from the standard; and (3) an injury proximately caused by the
deviation. Sullivan v. Edward Hosp., 806 N.E.2d 645, 653 (Ill. 2004) (citing Purtill v. Hess,
489 N.E.2d 867, 872 (Ill. 1986)). “Proximate cause in a medical malpractice case must be
established by expert testimony to a reasonable degree of medical certainty, and the
causal connection must not be contingent, speculative, or merely possible.” Morisch v.
United States, 653 F.3d 522, 531 (7th Cir. 2011) (citing Johnson v. Loyola Univ. Med. Ctr., 893
N.E.2d 267, 272 (Ill. App. Ct. 2008)). To establish proximate cause, the plaintiff must show
“cause in fact and legal cause.” Morisch, 653 F.3d at 531 (quoting Bergman v. Kelsey, 873
N.E.2d 486, 500 (Ill. App. Ct. 2007)). “Cause in fact exists when there is a reasonable
certainty that a defendant's acts caused the injury or damage.” Morisch, 653 F.3d at
531 (quoting Coole v. Cent. Area Recycling, 893 N.E.2d 303, 310 (Ill. App. Ct. 2008)). Legal
Page 28 of 30

cause exists when “an injury was foreseeable as the type of harm that a reasonable person
would expect to see as a likely result of his or her conduct.” Morisch, 653 F.3d at
531 (quoting LaSalle Bank, N.A. v. C/HCA Devel. Corp., 893 N.E.2d 949, 970 (Ill. App. Ct.
2008)).
Plaintiff has disclosed two physician experts, both of whom testified that, to a
reasonable degree of medical certainty, Plaintiff died because he was discharged from the
hospital by Dr. Motwani (Doc. 83-7; Doc. 83-9). Dr. Motwani, however, contends that
Plaintiff’s experts’ reports are insufficient pursuant to Rule 26(a)(2), and therefore they
cannot be used to establish proximate cause, and Plaintiff’s cause fails at summary
judgment (Doc. 90, p. 7). Specifically, Dr. Motwani argues that Dr. Finley Brown had no
opinion as to the cause of Mr. Lash’s death (Id.). And Dr. Osborn’s report lists multiple
potential causes of Mr. Lash’s death, however, his report could only speculate as to
whether any of those potential causes may have been discovered prior to his death (Id. at
p. 9). Dr. Motwani argues that “it is clear that [Dr. Osborn’s] opinions are equivocal”—
"Mr. Lash may have had a pulmonary embolus, or unstable angina, or primary cardiac
arrhythmia not related to unstable angina or pulmonary embolus” (Id.). Therefore,
according to Dr. Motwani, Dr. Osborn cannot testify, to a reasonable degree of medical
certainty that Motwani’s conduct was the proximate cause of Mr. Lash’s death (Id.).
The Court is unpersuaded by Dr. Motwani’s argument. It is true that neither Dr.
Brown nor Dr. Osborn could definitively say what condition caused the cardiac
arrythmia that led to the heart attack that killed Mr. Lash. And really, how could they?
Dr. Motwani did not admit Mr. Lash to the Hospital for the observation, testing, and
Page 29 of 30

evaluation necessary to identify that condition. Furthermore, Plaintiff does not have to
prove the precise cause of her husband’s death. She just has to prove that Dr. Motwani’s
deviations from the standard of care proximately caused Mr. Lash’s injury. Dr. Brown
and Dr. Osborn both opined that Motwani’s failure to consult with a cardiologist and
failure to admit Mr. Lash for additional observation, work-up, and evaluation was
negligent, given Mr. Lash’s presentation and abnormal test results. Dr. Brown and Dr.
Osborn further opined that Dr. Motwani’s failures were the proximate cause of an
increased risk of harm and significantly reduced Mr. Lash’s chance of surviving. That is
enough to survive summary judgment.
CONCLUSION
For the aforementioned reasons, Sparta Hospital’s motion for summary judgment
(Doc. 82) is GRANTED. Sparta Hospital is DISMISSED with prejudice as a Defendant
in this matter and judgment will be entered in its favor at the close of the case. Dr.
Motwani’s motion for summary judgment (Doc. 89) is DENIED. As such, this case will
proceed to trial on Plaintiff’s claims against Dr. Motwani alone.

IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED: March 31, 2021
s/ Mark A. Beatty
MARK A. BEATTY
United States Magistrate Judge

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