Vanderberg v. Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc

Filing 34

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER granting 31 Motion for Sanctions; and granting 25 Motion for Summary Judgment. Judgment shall enter against plaintiff and in favor or defendant. Trial, which is currently scheduled to begin August 21, 2017, is canceled. Because this order disposes of all pending claims, this case is closed. Signed by Chief Judge Leonard T Strand on 6/22/2017. (src)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF IOWA
WESTERN DIVISION
TIMOTHY VANDERBERG,
Plaintiff,

No. C16-4019-LTS

vs.
PETCO ANIMAL SUPPLIES STORES,
INC., d/b/a Pet Food Warehouse, d/b/a
Petco,

MEMORANDUM OPINION
AND ORDER

Defendant.
____________________
I.

INTRODUCTION

This case is before me on two motions by defendant Petco Animal Supplies Stores,
Inc. (Petco). The first is a motion (Doc. No. 25) for summary judgment and the second
is a motion (Doc. No. 31) for sanctions against plaintiff Timothy Vanderberg
(Vanderberg). Vanderberg has filed a resistance to each motion (Doc. Nos. 27, 32) and
Petco has filed replies (Doc. Nos. 30, 33). The parties have requested oral argument,
but I find that it is not necessary. See N.D. Ia. L.R. 7(c).
II.

RELEVANT FACTS

The following facts are undisputed except where otherwise noted:
On June 7, 2015, Vanderberg was working as a semi-truck driver for J.B. Hunt.
That day, he was scheduled to make a delivery to a Petco store in Sioux City, Iowa.
Vanderberg had previously made approximately ten deliveries to this store. Each time
Vanderberg made a delivery to this store, he operated the store’s hydraulic lift without
incident. The hydraulic lift is raised and lowered using a control valve handle that causes
the automatic folding ramp to hinge down to a horizontal position as the ramp raises until
it meets with the edge of the automatic folding ramp overlapping the back of a trailer.

When fully opened and elevated, the hydraulic lift allows a driver to roll a pallet jack
onto the platform. The driver then uses the control valve handle to lower the platform
while the automatic folding ramp retracts and hinges up to a vertical position and the
platform lowers to ground level.1
Prior to Vanderberg’s delivery on June 7, 2015, the assistant store manager of the
Petco store, William Hinkel, conducted a walk-around inspection of the hydraulic lift and
saw no visible signs of any operating issues. He plugged the hydraulic lift into the
electrical outlet and moved it up and down several times using the control valve handle.
Each time he let go of the control valve handle, the handle remained in the neutral position
and the ramp remained where Hinkel had positioned it.
When Vanderberg arrived for the delivery, he unloaded approximately six pallets
from the trailer into the store, using the hydraulic lift without incident. Vanderberg did
not look behind himself when stepping onto the hydraulic lift from the truck after
unloading the first two pallets because he instinctively knew where he was inside the
trailer in relation to the lift and felt he did not need to look. The lift operated normally
and the control valve handle remained in the neutral position when released. In preparing
to load the seventh pallet, Vanderberg maneuvered the pallet jack onto the lift while the
lift was at ground level. He then raised the hydraulic lift using the control valve handle
to meet the back of the trailer and pushed the pallet jack into the trailer. He walked
approximately 16 feet into the trailer to load the next pallet. After loading the pallet, he
walked backwards, facing away from the hydraulic lift. He did not look behind him at
any time before stepping back with his right leg onto what he thought was the automatic
folding ramp, where he had last positioned the lift. Vanderberg fell over the raised edge
of the automatic folding ramp and to the bottom of the partially-retracted lift. He stood
1

Vanderberg objects to the word “driver” being used in the context of operating the control
valve handle. He notes that Petco’s delivery and unloading policy requires that Petco store
personnel lower the lift to the ground once a driver has placed a pallet on the dock lift.
Nonetheless, Vanderberg admits that each time he made a delivery to this Petco store, he
operated the hydraulic lift using the control valve handle without any problems.
2

up and saw that the edge of the automatic folding ramp was raised approximately 12 to
18 inches above the trailer floor where he had last positioned it. He examined the
hydraulic lift and concluded it was functioning properly, so he finished unloading the
trailer. His only visible injuries consisted of slight horizontal linear scratches on the back
of his calves and a swollen ankle that caused him to limp. He experienced pain on the
right side of his body, but was able to finish unloading the trailer.
Vanderberg then continued on to a Petco store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
approximately 90 minutes away. There, he unloaded the remainder of the trailer. He
then slept for 10 to 12 hours in the sleeping compartment of his truck and drove to Joliet,
Illinois, the next day. Vanderberg worked for two and a half more days loading, driving
and unloading one and possibly two trailers of pallets at other Petco locations before he
complained of pain to his supervisor.
Vanderberg saw a physician on June 12, 2015. He complained of right knee pain,
right foot pain and pain in both shoulders. He underwent physical therapy during June
and July of 2015 to address these symptoms. On July 20 or 21, 2015, diagnostic testing
revealed a severe rotator cuff tear in the right shoulder, a severe bicep tear on the right
arm and a severe rotator cuff tear and a bony chip on the left shoulder. All treatment
related to these injuries was covered by workers’ compensation. In December 2015,
Vanderberg complained of pain in his left knee, for which he received surgery. This
procedure was not covered by workers’ compensation.
At the time of his June 7, 2015, accident, Vanderberg was considered obese. His
prior medical history consists of a surgical repair to his right knee in 2010 after suffering
a workplace injury and a history of arthritis and degenerative joint disease in both knees.
III.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Vanderberg commenced this action on March 8, 2016, by filing a two-count
complaint (Doc. No. 2) against Petco.

Vanderberg invoked the court’s diversity

jurisdiction and asserted claims of negligence (Count I) and premises liability (Count II).
3

Petco filed an answer and third party complaint (Doc. No. 4) on April 11, 2016, in which
it denied liability and raised certain defenses.2 Pursuant to an amended scheduling order
(Doc. No. 22), Vanderberg’s deadline for disclosing expert witnesses expired October
31, 2016, and discovery closed on February 17, 2017. Trial is scheduled to begin August
21, 2017. Doc. No. 10.
IV.
A.

ANALYSIS

Motion for Sanctions
Petco argues I should impose sanctions on Vanderberg for failing to disclose expert

witnesses timely pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2)(C). As noted
above, Vanderberg’s expert disclosure deadline was October 31, 2016, and discovery
closed on February 17, 2017. Petco filed its motion for summary judgment on March
17, 2017, based primarily on a lack of causation evidence. In his resistance, Vanderberg
indicates that he relies on medical records from Timothy Petsche, M.D., his treating
orthopedic surgeon,3 and opinions expressed by Nikhil Verma, M.D., in recently-

2

Petco’s third party complaint was directed against Superior Handling Equipment, LLC, which
allegedly manufactured and sold the hydraulic lift at issue. Doc. No. 4 at 3-8. The parties later
filed a stipulated dismissal of the third party complaint. Doc. No. 24.

3

Those medical records contain a letter dated April 26, 2016, stating in relevant part:
Mr. Vanderberg was in my office yesterday and we discussed the fact that his left
knee has been hurting him ever since his work injury and since his right knee
arthroscopy, his left knee has significantly worsened.
During this time, he was getting in and out of chairs and going up and down stairs
almost predominantly completely with the left leg and this greatly worsened his
left knee symptoms. It is my opinion that the right knee arthroscopy significantly
exacerbated his left knee condition and therefore, further treatment of his left knee
is medically necessary and related to the treatment of his right knee as well as the
original injury.

Doc. No. 27-3 at 12.
4

produced independent medical examination (IME) reports,4 to raise a jury question on
the issue of causation. Petco states it had no knowledge that Vanderberg intended to have
these physicians testify as to causation. Petco notes that in January 2017, it asked
Vanderberg whether he intended to present any expert evidence. Vanderberg’s counsel
replied as follows on January 26, 2017:
We do not have any retained experts on liability or damages. We expect
the treating physicians and surgeons will testify as to their diagnosis
treatment, prognosis, functional impairment and future medical care for
Tim Vanderberg. If it is Petco’s position that treating physicians must be
identified through expert witness certification, please advise and we can
take the matter up with the court.
Doc. No. 30-3 at 4.5 Even in this reply, Vanderberg’s counsel did not state that the
physicians would testify as to causation.6
1.

Applicable Standards

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2) states as follows, in relevant part:
(2)

Disclosure of Expert Testimony.

(A) In General. In addition to the disclosures required by Rule
26(a)(1), a party must disclose to the other parties the identity of any witness
it may use at trial to present evidence under Federal Rule of Evidence 702,
703, or 705.

4

These IME reports were produced and disclosed three days after Petco filed its motion for
summary judgment.
5

It appears that Petco did not respond. For reasons I will discuss below, I find no significance
in the lack of a response. In essence, Vanderberg’s counsel asked Petco if the Rules of Procedure
regarding expert disclosures mean what they say. Moreover, Vanderberg’s expert disclosure
deadline had expired nearly three months before Vanderberg’s counsel wrote this letter.

6

In November 2016, Petco disclosed an expert medical witness who opined that Vanderberg’s
injuries were due to a combination of age-related factors, genetics and anthropomorphic factors
rather than the June 7, 2015, accident. Doc. No. 25-3 at 4-18. Even then, Vanderberg did not
disclose a rebuttal expert or indicate that his treating physicians would testify as to causation.
5

(B) Witnesses Who Must Provide a Written Report. Unless
otherwise stipulated or ordered by the court, this disclosure must be
accompanied by a written report—prepared and signed by the witness—if
the witness is one retained or specially employed to provide expert
testimony in the case or one whose duties as the party's employee regularly
involve giving expert testimony. The report must contain:
(i)
a complete statement of all opinions the witness will
express and the basis and reasons for them;
(ii)

the facts or data considered by the witness in forming

(iii)

any exhibits that will be used to summarize or support

them;
them;
(iv) the witness's qualifications, including a list of all
publications authored in the previous 10 years;
(v)
a list of all other cases in which, during the previous 4
years, the witness testified as an expert at trial or by deposition; and
(vi) a statement of the compensation to be paid for the study
and testimony in the case.
(C) Witnesses Who Do Not Provide a Written Report. Unless
otherwise stipulated or ordered by the court, if the witness is not required
to provide a written report, this disclosure must state:
(i)
the subject matter on which the witness is expected to
present evidence under Federal Rule of Evidence 702, 703, or 705;
and
(ii)
a summary of the facts and opinions to which the
witness is expected to testify.
(D) Time to Disclose Expert Testimony. A party must make these
disclosures at the times and in the sequence that the court orders. . . .

6

Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2). Thus, if a witness is “retained or specially employed to provide
expert testimony in the case,” the party relying on that witness must provide a report in
compliance with Rule 26(a)(2)(B). If expert testimony will be offered by a witness who
is not “retained or specially employed to provide expert testimony in the case,” the party
relying on that witness must provide a disclosure in compliance with Rule 26(a)(2)(C).
2.

The Parties’ Positions

Here, there seems to be no dispute that neither Dr. Petsche nor Dr. Verma has
been “retained or specially employed to provide expert testimony in the case.” Thus, the
written report requirements of Rule 26(a)(2)(B) do not apply. However, Petco contends
that the causation evidence Vanderberg intends to present through Dr. Petsche and Dr.
Verma is expert opinion evidence that should have been disclosed pursuant to Rule
26(a)(2)(C). If Petco is correct, then on or before October 31, 2016, Vanderberg should
have disclosed both (1) the subject matter on which each witness is expected to present
expert evidence and (2) a summary of the facts and opinions to which the witness is
expected to testify. Vanderberg did not do so.7 Indeed, as of April 11, 2017, when Petco
filed a reply in support of its motion for sanctions, Vanderberg still had not provided a
Rule 26(a)(2)(C) disclosure with regard to either physician. Doc. No. 33 at 1.
Petco requests the following as a sanction: (1) preclude Vanderberg from relying
on the IME reports in resistance to Petco’s motion for summary judgment, at any hearings
and at trial, (2) preclude Vanderberg from using the testimony of the IME doctor at trial,
(3) limit Vanderberg’s treating physicians’ testimony to facts not associated with
causation or any other area of expert testimony that was not properly disclosed and (4)
award Petco $5,512.00 in attorney fees. In response, Vanderberg first argues that Petco
did not attempt to resolve this discovery dispute informally before seeking court

7

Vanderberg did disclose Dr. Petsche as a potential witness, but did not disclose that he would
offer expert testimony.
7

intervention as required by Rule 37. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(1) (“[t]he motion must
include a certification that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer
with the person or party failing to make disclosure or discovery in an effort to obtain in
without court action”).8 Vanderberg also notes that attorney fees are not recoverable if
the movant filed its Rule 37 motion before attempting to confer in good faith with
opposing counsel. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(a)(5)(A)(i).
Vanderberg’s counsel, Paul D. Lundberg, has submitted an affidavit stating that
he did not know about the IME reports until March 20, 2017, when he received an email
message from Vanderberg’s workers’ compensation attorney. He forwarded the reports
to counsel for Petco that same day. Mr. Lundberg also references his January 26, 2017,
letter in which he advised Petco’s counsel that the treating physicians and surgeons would
testify as to their “diagnosis treatment, prognosis, functional impairment and future
medical care” for Vanderberg. He argues he was not required to use the specific word
“causation” in order for them to testify to such. Moreover, he notes that Dr. Petsche,
the orthopedic surgeon, referenced causation in his operative notes, which Petco has had
in its possession since October 2016. Finally, Vanderberg states that Petco made no
attempt to schedule Dr. Petsche’s deposition after he disclosed him as a testifying witness.
With respect to the untimely disclosure of the IME reports, Petco argues that
Vanderberg should have sought to continue the discovery deadline if he knew there were
outstanding reports that would not be available prior to the deadline. Regardless of the
reason for the late disclosure, Petco argues it is at a disadvantage because it did not have
the opportunity to depose either Dr. Petsche or Dr. Verma about their causation opinions.
8

Our local rules also require counsel to meet and confer prior to filing a motion relating to
discovery. See Local Rule 37(a) (“No motion relating to discovery may be filed unless counsel
for the moving party electronically attaches to the motion a declaration attesting to the following:
(1) Counsel, in good faith, has conferred personally with counsel for the opposing party in an
attempt to resolve or narrow by agreement the issues raised by the motion; (2) The lawyers have
been unable to reach an agreement; and (3) The nature of the disagreement.”). Alternatively,
counsel may submit a written declaration stating that a personal conference with opposing counsel
was impossible and describe the efforts undertaken to schedule the conference. Petco did neither.
8

3.

Discussion

With regard to Dr. Petsche, it appears Vanderberg intends to present two types of
evidence: (1) evidence of what Vanderberg told him about the cause of his injuries and
(2) opinion evidence regarding whether Vanderberg’s left knee injury is causally-related
to the work accident. With regard to Vanderberg’s own statements, Dr. Petsche wrote
as follows in his Operative Note dated August 7, 2015:
He injured both shoulders and his right knee, injuries for which I am seeing
him. These injuries occurred on 6/7/15. He was lifting 200 pounds of dog
food out of a truck, working for Petco and the scissor-lift malfunctioned
automatically flipping up the gate. His foot got caught and he hung on the
pallet jack panel to prevent falling but the jerk injured both of his shoulders.
He has had symptoms in his knee with pain ever since and pain in his
shoulders. Physical exam of his knee was suspicious for a medical meniscal
tear. MRI scan confirmed the diagnosis.
Doc. No. 27-3 at 20. In a later Operative Report, dated March 16, 2016, Dr. Petsche
similarly stated:
He injured himself on 6/7/15. He was lifting 200 pounds of dog food out
of the truck and the scissor-lift malfunctioned, automatically flipping up the
gate. As a result, Tim’s foot became caught and he hung onto the pallet
jack panel to prevent falling, but the sudden ‘jerk’ injured both of his
shoulders.
Id. at 13. With regard to the left knee injury, Dr. Petsche wrote a letter dated April 26,
2016, stating, “It is my opinion that the right knee arthroscopy significantly exacerbated
his left knee condition and therefore, further treatment of his left knee is medically
necessary and related to the treatment of his right knee as well as the original injury.”
Id. at 12. This letter and Dr. Petsche’s records were provided to Petco on October 27,
2016. See Doc. No. 32-2 at 8. They were not produced in response to an interrogatory
or request for production specifically requesting causation evidence, but in response to
other interrogatories and requests regarding persons with knowledge and the documents
Vanderberg intends to rely on to support his claims. See Doc. No. 30-3 at 6, 12-13, 2021 and Doc. No. 32-2 at 4, 8 and 11.
9

As for Dr. Verma, he conducted independent medical examinations to evaluate
whether Vanderberg’s symptoms were causally-related to the June 7, 2015, accident. He
first saw Vanderberg on July 27, 2016, and made findings that some of Vanderberg’s
injuries were caused by that accident. See Doc. No. 27-3 at 52. He issued subsequent
reports in early 2017. His report of February 17, 2017, states, “[s]houlder conditions
are causally related to the June 7, 2015, work injury.” Id. at 53. His report of March
10, 2017, states that with regard to Vanderberg’s right knee, “at this point, I see no
causally related ongoing condition to his right knee related to the June 7, 2015, work
injury.” Id. at 51. The February and March IME reports were produced to Petco on
March 20, 2017, the day Vanderberg’s counsel received them from Vanderberg’s
workers’ compensation attorney.
Petco argues that Vanderberg should be precluded from relying on evidence from
Dr. Petsche and Dr. Verma to establish causation because causation opinions are of an
expert nature and, therefore, should have been disclosed pursuant to Rule 26(a)(2)(C).
An expert disclosure is required only if the witness will be presenting evidence that falls
under Federal Rules of Evidence 702, 703 or 705.9 See Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(a)(2)(A).
The law in this circuit is clear that a treating physician’s opinions as to causation are, in
fact, expert opinions that must be disclosed pursuant to Rule 26(a)(2). See Brooks v.
Union Pacific R. Co., 620 F.3d 896, 899-900 (8th Cir. 2010). In Brooks, which is almost
precisely on point, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals stated:
Brooks argues that the district court should have received Dr.
Garlapati's affidavit and causation opinion regardless of any expert
disclosures because Dr. Garlapati was his treating physician. Brooks
asserts that Dr. Garlapati may testify from his personal experience in
treating Brooks without being considered an expert witness, citing Davoll
v. Webb, 194 F.3d 1116 (10th Cir. 1999). Davoll is a disability
discrimination case in which a treating physician explained the plaintiff's
Rule 702 governs testimony by expert witnesses. Rule 703 describes the permissible bases of
an expert’s opinion testimony. Rule 705 describes when an expert must disclose facts or data
underlying his or her expert opinion.
9

10

injuries but did not testify concerning causation because causation was not
an issue. 194 F.3d at 1138–39. Davoll holds that a treating physician may
testify as a lay witness when describing a medical condition. Id. at 1139.
Brooks sought to use Dr. Garlapati not merely to explain Brooks's medical
condition—he also sought to use Dr. Garlapati to explain causation of
Brooks's condition.
“A treating physician's expert opinion on causation is subject to the
same standards of scientific reliability that govern the expert opinions of
physicians hired solely for purposes of litigation.” Turner v. Iowa Fire
Equip. Co., 229 F.3d 1202, 1207 (8th Cir. 2000) (affirming the district
court's decision to strike the treating physician's opinion and to grant
summary judgment in favor of the defendants due to the lack of evidence
of causation); see also Bland v. Verizon Wireless, (VAW) L.L.C., 538 F.3d
893, 899 (8th Cir. 2008) (affirming summary judgment following the
exclusion of a treating physician's causation opinion); Claar [v. Burlington
N.R.R. Co.], 29 F.3d [499, 504 (9th Cir. 1994)] (holding that, in order to
avoid summary judgment, the plaintiffs in a FELA action were required to
produce expert testimony that exposure to chemicals played a part in
causing their injuries). We hold that Dr. Garlapati's causation opinion
brought his testimony within Rule 702 and Rule 26(a)(2).
Because Brooks failed to comply with the requirements of Rule
26(a)(2), the district court properly excluded Dr. Garlapati's causation
opinion.
Id. (footnote omitted).
Brooks is controlling, and compels a finding that any causation opinions provided
by Dr. Petsche or Dr. Verma are expert opinions that are subject to Rule 26(a)(2)’s
disclosure requirements. Under Rule 26(a)(2)(C), Vanderberg was required to provide
a timely disclosure of both (1) the subject matter on which each witness is expected to
present expert evidence and (2) a summary of the facts and opinions to which the witness
is expected to testify. He did not do so. As such, Vanderberg violated his expertdisclosure obligations.

11

4.

The Appropriate Sanction

Inadequate expert disclosures are governed by Rule 37(c), which provides:
(1)
If a party fails to provide information or identify a witness as
required by Rule 26(a) or (e), the party is not allowed to use that
information or witness to supply evidence on a motion, at a hearing, or at
a trial, unless the failure was substantially justified or is harmless. In
addition to or instead of this sanction, the court, on motion and after giving
an opportunity to be heard:
(A)

may order payment of the reasonable expenses, including attorney's
fees, caused by the failure;

(B)

may inform the jury of the party's failure; and

(C)

may impose other appropriate sanctions, including any of the orders
listed in Rule 37(b)(2)(A)(i)-(vi).

Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(c)(1).

In determining the appropriate remedy, I must apply a

balancing test by considering the following factors: (1) the reason for noncompliance; (2)
the surprise and prejudice to the opposing party; (3) the extent to which allowing the
information or testimony would disrupt the order and efficiency of the trial and (4) the
importance of the information or testimony. Wegener v. Johnson, 527 F.3d 687, 692
(8th Cir. 2008) (citing Sellers v. Mineta, 350 F.3d 706, 711-12 (8th Cir. 1995)).
With regard to the reason for noncompliance, Vanderberg states that Dr. Verma’s
IME reports were disclosed as soon as his counsel received them. While this is accurate
with regard to reports from Dr. Verma dated February 17, 2017, and March 10, 2017,
Dr. Verma’s first IME occurred on July 27, 2016 – three months before Vanderberg’s
expert disclosure deadline. See Doc. No. 27-3 at 52. The report from that IME is not
part of the record. However, in a subsequent report Dr. Verma stated that he made
findings during the first IME that some of Vanderberg’s injuries were caused by the June
7, 2016, accident. Id. Thus, by the end of July, 2016, Vanderberg was on notice that
Dr. Verma was a potential witness on the issue of causation. Vanderberg could have,
and should have, provided a Rule 26(a)(2)(C) disclosure concerning Dr. Verma by the
12

October 31, 2016, deadline. He could have then supplemented that disclosure in light of
Dr. Verma’s subsequent IME reports. Vanderberg has provided no valid excuse for
noncompliance with regard to Dr. Verma.
The situation is no better with regard to Dr. Petsche. While Vanderberg disclosed
him as a potential trial witness, he did not provide a timely (or even untimely) Rule
26(a)(2)(C) disclosure for Dr. Petsche. Nor has he offered a reason for noncompliance.
This factor weighs in favor of excluding the opinion evidence.
The second factor I must consider is the surprise and prejudice to the opposing
party. As mentioned above, Vanderberg disclosed his reliance on this evidence as
causation evidence only in resisting Petco’s motion for summary judgment. His late
disclosure at this stage significantly prejudices Petco as trial is two months away and the
discovery deadline expired four months ago.

This factor also weighs in favor of

excluding the opinion evidence.
Next, I must consider the extent to which allowing this information or testimony
would disrupt the order and efficiency of the trial. If I were to allow Vanderberg to
present expert opinion testimony from Dr. Verma and Dr. Petsche as to causation,
fairness would dictate that I give Petco the opportunity to depose them and, potentially,
to seek responsive opinion testimony of its own. With trial approaching, it is almost
certain that a continuance would be necessary. Thus, permitting Vanderberg to proceed
with improperly-disclosed opinion evidence from Dr. Verma and Dr. Petsche would
significantly disrupt the order and efficiency of trial. This factor weighs in favor of
excluding the evidence.
The final factor is the importance of the information. There is no doubt that the
proposed opinion testimony is highly important. Indeed, and as I will explain in the
following section of this ruling, the absence of opinion evidence concerning causation
requires dismissal of Vanderberg’s claims. This is the only factor that weighs in favor
of a sanction other than exclusion.
13

Having considered all of the relevant factors, I conclude that exclusion is the
appropriate sanction. Thus, Vanderberg is precluded from using Dr. Verma’s opinion
testimony, reports or records to establish causation. Vanderberg is also precluded from
using Dr. Petsche’s opinion testimony to establish causation.10
B.

Motion for Summary Judgment
Vanderberg’s claims against Petco consist of the following:
 Count I – Negligence (based on failure to properly maintain its
hydraulic lift, for failure to properly inspect the hydraulic lift for
mechanical defects and failure to warn that the hydraulic lift was
mechanically defective).11
 Count II – Premises Liability12

10

Petco’s failure to provide a declaration certifying compliance with Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 37(a)(1) and Local Rule 37(a) is troubling. However, under the circumstances present
here, it is apparent that pre-motion efforts to resolve this dispute would have been futile. By the
time Vanderberg notified Petco of his intent to have Dr. Petsche and Dr. Verma provide
causation opinions at trial, discovery was already closed and Petco had already filed its motion
for summary judgment. Moreover, as discussed above, the record reflects some communications
between counsel about causation opinion evidence before Petco filed its motion. Nonetheless,
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(a)(5)(A)(i), I find that Petco is not entitled to an
award of attorney fees and expenses incurred in making the motion.

11

The elements of negligence are (1) existence of a duty, (2) breach of that duty, (3) causation
and (4) damages. See Vossoughi v. Polaschek, 859 N.W.2d 643, 654 n.6 (Iowa 2015).

12

Premises liability requires a plaintiff to prove:
1. The defendant knew or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known of a
condition on the premises and that it involved an unreasonable risk of injury to a
person in the plaintiff’s position.
2. The defendant knew or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known:
a. The plaintiff would not discover the condition, or
b. The plaintiff would not realize the condition presented an unreasonable risk of
injury, or
c. The plaintiff would not protect [himself] from the condition.
3. The defendant was negligent in a specific way
4. The negligence was a cause of the plaintiff’s damage
5. The nature and extent of damage
14

Doc. No. 2. Petco argues it is entitled to summary judgment on both counts for the
following reasons:
1.

Plaintiff cannot prevail on the issue of proximate cause13 in either
Count I or Count II because plaintiff failed to disclose any expert
testimony that the June 7, 2015 fall was the cause of the injuries he
was diagnosed with in July and December 2015.

2.

Plaintiff cannot establish that Petco had a duty to protect plaintiff
from or warn plaintiff about a hazard of which Petco was unaware,
and of which it could not have reasonably known.

3.

Plaintiff’s own conduct operates as an intervening and superseding
cause that forecloses the possibility of plaintiff carrying his burden
on the issue of proximate cause.

Doc. No. 25.
1.

Applicable Standards

Any party may move for summary judgment regarding all or any part of the claims
asserted in a case. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). Summary judgment is appropriate when “the
pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with
affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving
party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S.
317, 322 (1986).
A material fact is one that “‘might affect the outcome of the suit under the
governing law.’” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986). Thus,
“the substantive law will identify which facts are material.” Id. Facts that are “critical”

Iowa Civil Jury Instruction 900.1 (2016) (citing e.g., Koenig v. Koenig, 766 N.W.2d 635, 64546 (Iowa 2009)).
13

Petco appears to be referring to actual cause, or cause-in-fact, rather than proximate or legal
cause.
15

under the substantive law are material, while facts that are “irrelevant or unnecessary”
are not. Id.
An issue of material fact is genuine if it has a real basis in the record, Hartnagel
v. Norman, 953 F.2d 394, 395 (8th Cir. 1992) (citing Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v.
Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586-87 (1986)), or when “‘a reasonable jury could
return a verdict for the nonmoving party’ on the question.” Woods v. DaimlerChrysler
Corp., 409 F.3d 984, 990 (8th Cir. 2005) (quoting Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248). Evidence
that only provides “some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts,” Matsushita, 475
U.S. at 586, or evidence that is “merely colorable” or “not significantly probative,”
Anderson, 477 U.S. at 249-50, does not make an issue of material fact genuine.
As such, a genuine issue of material fact requires “sufficient evidence supporting
the claimed factual dispute” so as to “require a jury or judge to resolve the parties'
differing versions of the truth at trial.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248-49. The party moving
for entry of summary judgment bears “the initial responsibility of informing the court of
the basis for its motion and identifying those portions of the record which show a lack of
a genuine issue.” Hartnagel, 953 F.2d at 395 (citing Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323). Once
the moving party has met this burden, the nonmoving party must go beyond the pleadings
and by depositions, affidavits, or otherwise, designate specific facts showing that there
is a genuine issue for trial. Mosley v. City of Northwoods, 415 F.3d 908, 910 (8th Cir.
2005). The nonmovant must show an alleged issue of fact is genuine and material as it
relates to the substantive law. If a party fails to make a sufficient showing of an essential
element of a claim or defense with respect to which that party has the burden of proof,
then the opposing party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Celotex, 477 U.S. at
322.
In determining if a genuine issue of material fact is present, I must view the
evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Matsushita, 475 U.S. at
587-88. Further, I must give the nonmoving party the benefit of all reasonable inferences
that can be drawn from the facts. Id. However, “because we view the facts in the light
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most favorable to the nonmoving party, we do not weigh the evidence or attempt to
determine the credibility of the witnesses.” Kammueller v. Loomis, Fargo & Co., 383
F.3d 779, 784 (8th Cir. 2004). Instead, “the court's function is to determine whether a
dispute about a material fact is genuine.” Quick v. Donaldson Co., Inc., 90 F.3d 1372,
1376-77 (8th Cir. 1996).
2.

Is There a Genuine Issue of Material Fact as to Causation?

As noted above, causation is an essential element of both of Vanderberg’s claims.
Petco argues that Vanderberg cannot demonstrate a genuine issue of material fact on the
issue of causation without expert testimony that his injuries, which were diagnosed in
July and December 2015, were caused by the June 7, 2015, accident. Petco notes that
Vanderberg’s medical records indicate significant preexisting degenerative joint disease
in his knees, a prior right knee meniscus repair in 2010 and underlying medical
conditions, such as obesity. Petco’s expert witness has opined that these conditions, not
the events of June 7, 2015, caused the injuries at issue. Doc. No. 25-3 at 4-18. Because
Vanderberg has failed to designate an expert medical witness on the issue of causation,
Petco argues he has failed to generate a jury question on this issue.
“Causation has two components: ‘(1) the defendant’s conduct must have in fact
caused the plaintiff’s damages (generally a factual inquiry) and (2) the policy of the law
must require the defendant to be legally responsible for the injury (generally a legal
question).’”

Berte v. Bode, 692 N.W.2d 368, 372 (Iowa 2005) (quoting Gerst v.

Marshall, 549 N.W.2d 810, 815 (Iowa 1996)). The “but for” test determines “whether
the defendant’s conduct was a cause in fact of the plaintiff’s harm.” Id.
Under that test, ‘the defendant’s conduct is a cause in fact of the plaintiff’s
harm, if, but-for the defendant’s conduct, that harm would not have
occurred. The but-for test also implies a negative. If the plaintiff would
have suffered the same harm had the defendant not acted negligently, the
defendant’s conduct is not a cause in fact of the harm.’

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Id. “Proximate cause or legal cause, the second element of causation, determines the
appropriate scope of a negligent defendant’s liability.” Yates v. Iowa West Racing Ass’n,
721 N.W.2d 762, 774 (Iowa 2006).
To establish actual causation, a plaintiff must prove that his or her theory of
causation is “reasonably probable – not merely possible, and more probable than any
other hypothesis based on such evidence.” Doe v. Central Iowa Health System, 766
N.W.2d 787, 793 (Iowa 2009) (quoting Ramberg v. Morgan, 218 N.W.2d 492, 497
(Iowa 1928)). Petco argues Vanderberg cannot establish actual causation because he has
not disclosed any expert testimony on the issue and expert testimony is required. The
Iowa Supreme Court has stated, “[w]hen the causal connection between the tortfeasor’s
actions and the plaintiff’s injury is within the knowledge and experience of an ordinary
layperson, the plaintiff does not need expert testimony to create a jury question on
causation.” Doe, 766 N.W.2d at 793. The Court has also explained that “[m]edical
testimony regarding whether an accident caused an injury is not within the knowledge
and experience of ordinary laypersons.” Yates, 721 N.W.2d at 744.
To determine whether a subject is outside the general comprehension of a
layperson, the Court must engage in a case-by-case, common-sense
determination of ‘whether the untrained layman would be qualified to
determine intelligently . . . the particular issue without enlightenment from
those having a specialized understanding of the subject involved in the
dispute.
Anderson v. Bristol, Inc., 936 F. Supp. 2d 1039, 1066 (S.D. Iowa 2013) (citing M-Z
Enters., Inc. v. Hawkeye-Security Ins. Co., 318 N.W.2d 408, 414 (Iowa 1982)).
Courts applying Iowa law have found expert testimony necessary in cases
involving medical causation. See Korte v. Mead Johnson & Co., 824 F. Supp. 2d 877,
887 (S.D. Iowa 2010) (products liability case involving whether infant formula ingested
by plaintiff caused bacterial infection); Bradshaw v. Iowa Methodist Hospital, 101
N.W.2d 167, 171 (Iowa 1960) (“Such a matter as the causal connection between
plaintiff’s fall in defendant hospital and his condition at the time of the operation in
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December is not within the knowledge and experience of ordinary laymen”); Vaughn v.
Ag Processing, Inc., 459 N.W.2d 627, 637 (Iowa 1990) (“[i]n many cases where we
have held that a fact question was engendered on the issue of emotional harm and
causation, we have relied on the testimony of physicians and psychiatrists.”); Doe, 766
N.W.2d at 795 (finding plaintiff’s conclusory statements in support of his claim
insufficient to allow a layperson to determine whether the unauthorized disclosure of his
medical records caused his alleged emotional distress). “When there are multiple possible
causes to an injury, expert testimony is necessary to determine which cause was the actual
and legal cause of the injury.” Anderson, 936 F. Supp. 2d at 1067.
Here, there are multiple possible causes of Vanderberg’s injuries. See Doc. No.
25-1 at 9 (noting Vanderberg suffered a prior right knee injury in 2010 for which he
underwent surgery, is obese and has degenerative joint disease, which could have
contributed to his injuries) (citing Doc. No. 25-3 at 79-81). Given my ruling on the
motion for sanctions, Vanderberg has only his own statements (either via his direct
testimony or through his doctor’s testimony about those statements) regarding the cause
of his injuries. Because of Vanderberg’s preexisting conditions, and the fact that his
injuries were not immediately apparent after the accident, I find that medical expert
testimony is required. See Yates, 721 N.W.2d at 74 (“[w]ithout medical testimony, a
jury [would be] left to resort to conjecture in determining causation.”).

Because

Vanderberg failed to timely designate medical opinion testimony, he has failed to
demonstrate that there is sufficient evidence to submit the issue of causation to a jury.
As a result, his claims of negligence and premises liability fail as a matter of law.14

14

Petco raises two alternative arguments for the entry of summary judgment in its favor: (1) it
owed no duty to Vanderberg and (2) Vanderberg’s own conduct is an intervening and superseding
cause that precludes a finding of liability. Because my conclusion as to causation is dispositive
of this case, I need not address these alternative arguments in detail. For the record, however,
I note that I have considered both arguments carefully and find that neither would provide an
alternative basis for granting Petco’s motion.
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V.

CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated herein:
1.

Petco’s motion (Doc. No. 31) for sanctions is granted. Vanderberg is

precluded from relying on expert evidence as to causation in resistance to Petco’s motion
for summary judgment or otherwise.
2.

Petco’s motion (Doc. No. 25) for summary judgment is granted with

regard to both of Vanderberg’s claims. Judgment shall enter against plaintiff and in favor
of defendant.
3.

Trial, which is currently scheduled to begin August 21, 2017, is canceled.

4.

Because this order disposes of all pending claims, this case is closed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.
DATED this 22nd day of June, 2017.

__________________________
Leonard T. Strand, Chief Judge

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