McGhee v. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA et al

Filing 76

AMENDED MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Samuel G. Wilson on 03/06/2014. (rkc)

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CL ERKSoFFl t. . sT * uRT ce ): DI . AT ROANOKE, VA FIED L MA2 2 5 2 1 21 I TH E UNI N TED STATES DI STRI CO URT CT FO R TH E W E STER N D I STRI T O F V I G I A C R M R O A NO K E D I SI N W O EIK BJ A C. EM CL R r YULI DUDL : C i lA c i N o.7: 3- - 23 vi ton 1 CV 001 BUR R ELL A .M CGH EE, Pl ntf ai if AM ENDED M EM OR ANDUM OPI NION V. U NI TED STA TE S O F A M ERI ,etal, CA . By:Sam uelG .W is l on U nie St e D it i tJudge t d at s s r c D ef endant . s The pl i t f , r lA . c he fl t s m e c m al a tce a ton aga ns t Unied a n i f Bur el M G e, ied hi di al pr c i c i i t he t Sttst rt Fe r Tor Cli Ac ( ae mde he deal t ams t FTCA) 28U. C.jj1 b) 2671268 a , S. 346( , - 0, nd Lo u f ne sc m, Ct c1 '( p y iin sa fn a e y a dt d co st e te c m-e n .o LLC Lo 1 ) a h sca tf g g nc ) n wo o tr md r h m' c u tss p lme tl28U. C. 1 6 , n / rdv riyj rs ito 28U.. j1 3 o r' u p e n a, S. j 3 7 a d o ie st u idcin, SC. 3 2. M c he a s r s c a m s a ns t doc or i vi l a asem pl ye s oft U nie St t s G e s e t l i gai t he t s ndi dualy nd o e he t d a e a Loc .TheUnie Stt sha move t dimiscai sag ns i a ii o oft docor ' nd um td ae s d o s s lm ai t t rsng ut he t s aci nsbec us i as e t,t y wer i pe ntc r cor r t rt n e pl es Fort to a e,t s rs he e nde nde onta t s a he ha m oye . he r s t tf l t c t ' t t Unie St t s m oto ea ons ha olow, he our gr s he t d a e ' i n. an 1. M c e tl ac pli i t sc t al gi t on M a c 30, 1 whieapai n Ghe ied om a nt n hi our, le ng hat r h 201 , l te t a t Vee a AfaisM edia Ce e i Sae Vigni (û C',t doco sneglge l t he tr ns f r c l ntr n lm, r i a 1VAM ' he tr ) i nty pe f me hi a t os opi s de s ge y, es tngi pe m a ntne vedn ag c i us ror d s rhr c c houl r ur r r uli n r ne r m e, ontnuo pai i hi l rbod a s a rng on hi ne k and f c l n n s owe y, nd c ri s c a e. 1M cGhee a s ale s ne i nce by ot rV A M C s a fm e be s whos e pl ym e s a us t l o l ge glge he tf m r e m o nt t t he Unie stt doesnotdiput t d a es s e. Th UntdS ae mo e t ds s pls n t 1 b ()a 1 ( ( ) a s ri t a i e ie tts v d o imis t ua t o 2()1 nd 2b)6 , s et h tt r ng wasi me fo la lt f t doc or 'aci be a et y we e i pende co r c o s mmt r m i biiy or he t s tons c us he r nde nt nta t r , notV AM C e pl es and i ha no wai d s r gn i m uniy f t a tons ofi pe m oye , t s t ve ove ei m t or he c i nde ndent c r t s The c thel ahea i t t m oton t ra s m e ,a e e e a o der ontacor . our d rng, ook he i mde dvie nt nd nt r d n r per ti lm ied dic r on t is Afe conduci dic r t Unied St t smove mit i t s ove y ng he s ue. tr tng s ove y, he t ae d frs mmayj d me ta d i s p o t fi mo in s bmitdfv d po iinta s rp sa d o u r u g n n , n u p r o t to , u te i e e sto r n cit n s num e ous e bis a M c he r s nde r xhi t , nd G e e po d. Acc di t t t s e e de ,t docor be n wor ng a t VAM C a or ng o he mdiput d vi nce he t s ga ki t he bouta yea be o e M c r fr Ghee' s ge y,unde conta s be wee t VAM C a Locz ;a be we s ur r r r ct; t n he nd lm nd t en Locl a e h doc o . TheVAM C- Im con r c sa e tti e e sy a e a tm nd ac tr LOCI ta t tt d:t s xpr s l gr ed nd l unde sood t tt si anon- r ona s viescon r c ,a de i d i Fe a Ac sto rt ha hi s pe s l er c ta t s fne n der l quiii n Re ai ( gulton FAR)37.012t de whihpr esi lsr ie rnderdbyt Conta t oris 1 , m r c of sona e vc s e e he rcor t he lh c r p o ie sa ern e e i i c p ct a a ide e d n c nr co . ( 6 - a 27 at -a e r vd r r e d r d n t a a iy s n n p n e t o ta t r' ECF 4 9 t ) s ' A cc di t t tc r t se e spr s ons t Unied St t r t i d l c t olo r or ng o ha ontac ' xpr s ovi i , he t a es e a ne ç on r ve no pr e sona a pe t oft s r i sr nde e i l ng by e of s i l s c s he e vce e r d, ncudi xampl t Co r c orso is e, he nta t ' r t he lh c r p o ie s p ofsina me ia j dg n , ig o i, rs ctcme ia te t n s' at -a e r vd r' r e so l dc lu me t da n ss o pe ii d c lr ame t. ' ( 6 - a 27 Ea h Lo u d co c n rc,nt r , r vd dt t a h d co wo l b ç t ECF 4 9 t ) c c m- o tr o ta t i u n p o ie ha e c o tr ud e t a a1i sa tn a pef r n a a id pe d n c nr co ofl cl , a dr q rdt lt me cig nd ro mi g s n n e n e t o ta tr Lo t ' n e uie o mj ' S x rillme ia j d me ta ge d e e )a p o rae'( 6 - a 1 3 t e cse d c l u g n s h ) e mld p r p it . ECF 4 9 t , ) e ' TheVAM C s e t d t doc or a trLoc pr - c e ne t m a s ntt i c rc a elc e he t s fe um e s r e d he nd e he r uriul via t t VAMC, ongwiht eofot rdocor whome t quaiyi ciei t le te o he al t hos he t s t he lf ng rtra. cutl 2Fe r A c ston Regul ton 37.1 de i s a ç n- r ona s r i e c r c ' a % conta t de al qui ii ai 01 f ne t pe s l e v c s ont a t' s ç no a rc u d rwhc t epes n e rn e igt s r ie aen ts b e t et rb tec nr c' tr o n e ih h ro n l e d rn he e vc s r o u j c, i y h o ta ts e ms r he by t m a r ofisa i s r t o t t s r s on a co r us ly pr vaii i he nne t dm ni t a i n, o he upe vi i nd nt ol ua l e lng n rltons psbewe nt Unie Sttsa ise oye . 48C. R.j37.01 eai hi t e he td ae nd t mpl es' ' F. 1 . 2 De a 1 Ac or ngt J me Cutl,af me a ot e c i andr c ie f Loc i p. t 3) c di o a s te or r cc mt xe utve e nztr or um,f t VAM C nol rwa e t wor wih apa tculrdoc or Locl woul sm pl fl t he onge nt d o k t ri a t , tm d i y il he va a ywihanohe docor t 4eDe a 61 W hent t docor be nwor nga t c nc t t r t .cutl p. t ) he wo t s ga ki t he VAM C,t VAM C pr vi d co put tani adi tton s t m ,a I f na gai t he o de m er r i ng, ca i yse n D or vi tng he on buidi a ofies cet tt docor rr yus d. ( obers D ep a 45- 51; oioz l ng, nd fc pa ha he t s ael e 3 R t 7, M t a . De a 38, ) Alhought VAM C s he edpaint,t docor co ds ppl t rown p. t 41 t he c dul te s he t s ul u y hei me c lt s a dref rpatent wihi t VAM C S( oioz De a 20) Ac or ngt Lar dia ool4 n e i s t n he M t a p. t c di o ry . Li c b,M . ,aVAM C e oye ,t doc o si r e t m s ves- a VAM C s f ps om D. mpl e he t r ntoduc d he el nd Gf ir ntoduce t - t pai nt a ç ocl ,' t r c d hem o te s s d tms'a e m omm onl us d a t VAM C t i ntf nonl y e t he o de iy pema ntphyscins.( pscom b D ep a 29) r ne i a 6 Li t . TheVAM C di notpa t doc or . Rahe , heVAM C pai Loc bas o t d y he t s t r t d um ed n he docor 'tme r , 7a t n Locz pa dt doc or a houry r t wih a tona t s i ca ds nd he lm i he t s n l a e t ddii l c mpe sto f rç nc 1'tmea dc rane pe s s't tl De a 1 ) Nete t eVAM C o n ain o ç a1 i n eti x n e . cu te p. t 5 ih r h o ' n rLo u wa r s n i ef rwi odn t ed co s tx s ( ot z De a 2 - ; b ro o c m s epo sbl o t lig h o t r' a e .M io a p. t 2 3 Ro e s n hh De a 1 ) Loc pad frt i me c lmapr ciela lt i urnce a t doco swee p. t 8 um i o her dia l a tc ibiiy ns a , nd he tr r rs e ponsbl f rt i own wor r sc i e o her ke ' ompe ai be ft ,he lh i lr nc a r tr me plns ns ton ne is a t nsza e, nd eie nt a . ( oiozaDe a 22- Robes De a 1 M t p. t 3; ron p. t 8) 3Th d co sddn th l a miitai p sto ( .. e o Orh p dis a t eVAM C. e o t r i o od d n srtve o i ns eg Chif f to e c ) t h i 4Dr M oioza s i hi ow n l upe , szge y c ps a ope a i r uppled s o s lr r a , nd r tng oom s s . t hoe . 5A ut i ton w a o y r qui e whe r f ni a pa i tout i oft V A M C a t s ç os s horza i s nl e r d n e e ng ten s de he s hi ç t c money.'Li combDe At26'( ps p. 7) 6Loc l Tene m e ç ne f li a ofi e f a tm e ort m po arl t ki t pl c of tm ns ans û o ilng n tc or i e r iy a ng he a e a he - us d es cily ofadoc or'tloc t Te not r e pe a l t . tw tm nens'M e ram-Webse .om, ' . ri ' trc hup:- . aim- bse .oe ditonry/ocl / / me a we trc ci l lm%zotne (a tviwe J nua y26, 4) e ns ls e d a r 201 . Se Blvi v.Sheha i 31 F. pp.2d598,600( . Va.2004)(i ngt tanureç da e e ns s dr, 3 Su W D. fndi ha s d hel lc m tn n (e o ayfl i ) sto a teh s ia' . o u e e s tmp r r il n po iin t h o p tl' ) 7The doc o sw or d e ghtho l da att VA M C . tr ke i tr ys he 8Loc as pad f t doc or 'r alhous ng a a r t lc r t teDe a 31 i nd en a a . cutl p. t ) um 1o i or he t s ent 3 1. 1 Th UntdS ae ha mo e t ds s a df rs mma yj d me t ag i gt a t e e ie tts s v d o imis n o u r u g n , r u n h t h doc or we e i pe ntc r c or , V A M C e pl ye ,be us t VA M C di nothave t s r nde nde ont a t s not m o es ca e he d t powe t rt co r c st s r iet i da t da ope ai and c r t e r ie of he r mde he nta t o upe v s her y-o- y r tons ontol he xe c s t i me ia j g n s Th c u ti d t a t er lto s i b t e teVAM C a dte her dc lud me t. e o r fn s h t h eain hp ewe n h n h doc or be r noneoft halm a ksofa e oye - m pl e r l to hi a gr nt t t s as he l r n mpl re oye e ai ns p nd a s he g over e ' m oton t di m i sM c he sFTCA c a m sa i i ou oft tr l tons p. nm nt s i o s s G e' l i r s ng t ha e a i hi g TheFTCA pr des: lmie wave ofs r gn i ovi 1 i t d i r ove ei mmuniy,ma ng t Fede a a t ki he rl Gove n e la et t s m ee e asaprva epa t f rce ti t rsoff de ale pl es r m nt ibl o he a xt nt i t ry o ran o t e r m oye ac i wihi t s ope oft i e pl e .' t St t sv.Or e ns 425 U . 807,813 tng t n he c he r m oym nt' Unied a e la , S. (1 6) Thepl nl 97 . ai angua oft FTCA prcl i i labiiyf a tonsofi pe nt ge he e udes mputng i lt or ci nde nde c n rco s1 w ood v S a d r Pm4 t Co.l c, 7 F.d 8 5 8 9( t Ci.1 8 ) W h t r o ta t r.0 tn ad ucs . n .6 1 2 2 , 2 4h r 9 2 . ehe . an i vi li agove nm e e o ora i pe ntc r c o i aquesi off de al ndi dua s r nt mpl yee n nde nde onta t r s ton e r lw. g ev. ie Stts 41 U. 5 , 28( 9 3 .Th Fo t Cic iha a ple a a Lo u Untd ae , 2 S. 21 5 1 7 ) e urh r ut s p id C ontolt t'o physcin- nta t s sa i ç y wher t Gove nme ha t po runder ç r es't c i a co r c or , t tng: E onl e he r nt s he we 9Thepa tesha ag ee t tno e de ir hea i i r uie a s it d t is f ra ri ve r d ha vi nta y rng s eq r d nd ubm te he s ue o de iin ba e onde ii a e bis Thec tc i r t is l rRul 1 b) 1 cso s d postons nd xhi t. our onsdes he sue mde e 2( () be a e%ll t pe s i quesi weei pe ntc r t sa no gove n nt c us çif he rons n ton r nde nde ontacor nd t r me e lye s te t eg v r me t sn twav disi nt a di n ts b e t os i i t i mp o e ,h n h o e n n ha o ie t mmu iy n s o u j c t ut n h s c t' e ont rc uc. a rv.Unie Stt ,8 F.Supp.1 1 ( D.Va. our'bas d hei ond tKrme td aes 43 066, 068 E. 1 9 ) Ro bv. ie S e , 0F.d 8 4 8 7( t Ci.1 9 ) s eas W i imsv. i d 9 4 ; b Untd uts 8 3 8 , 8 4h r 9 6 ; e lo l n l Unt e Stts 50F. 299,304- ( h Ci.1 ( di t tt dititc ts dha dimisd ae , 3d 05 4t r 995) hol ng ha he src our houl ve s se frwa to jlidito u d r1 ( ) 1 rt e t ng a tn sl r j d me twh nte o n f t s cin n e 2 b ( ) ah r ha rn ig tmma y u g n e h r g r ntdi notwai isi ovenme d ve t mmuniyunde t FTCA) Eve t t r he . n hought c t l ga t he our wil rnt he Unie Stt 'motont dimisunde 1 b)1,t c thasafo de M c et be ftofal td aes i o s s r 2( ( ) he our fr d Ghe he nei l o t ep o e u a p oe to so amoi nfrs mmayj dg n . e Lufi UntdS ae , f h r c d r l rt ci n f to o u r u me t S e tv. ie tts No. l1 1 201 W L 1 49526,a 4- ( h Ci. i 24, 3 ( tng Ke lsv.Unie Stt s 585 - 966, 3 7 t 6 4t r Aprl 201 ) cii rl td ae , F.d 1 1 (t Ci. ). 3 87, 95 4h r 2009) 1 tl FTCA , a a w a ve ofs ve e g i m uniy, s sr c l c t u d, a 1n bi uii s a e 0 ç-he s i r o rin m t i ti ty ons r e and 1 m g te r rs ve i fvoroft s veeg 'Robbv.UniedStt ,8 F. 884,88 ( h Ci.1 e ol d n a he o rin.' t aes 0 3d 7 4t r 996) (ii Unie Sttsv. di Vilce.nc.503U. 30,33( 992) ctng td ae Nor c la l , S. 1 ) 4 t co r c t s r i eac r c orst y-o- y oper to 'and io c r t de al d he nta t o upe v s onta t ' da t da ai ns t ontol he t ie physc lpe f m a eoft co r c or c i be s d t t c r t i an e oye orag i a ror nc he nta t ' an t ai hat he ontacor s mpl e ent oft Unie St e wihi t ( he td ats t n he FTCAZ'W ood,671F. at829,832.Thi doe notmea a . ' 2d s s n, s t tco tha sa e çha aph i i m us aw a bede m e a i pe ntc r c orsmpl ha ur s t t d, ç t yscan t t l ys e d n nde nde onta t i y b c u eo t en c siyt tap y iine rieid p nd n p o e so lud me ti e a s f h e e st ha h sca xecs n e e e t r f sina j g n n p o i igme ia te t n t lso h rp te t. Ro bv. td S ae , 0F.d8 4 8 9(t r v dn dc lr ame t o x r e ain s' b Uni tts 8 3 8 , 8 4h i ' e Ci.1 9 ) Rahe,h Fo rh Cic i h sc n ie e amutt d o p tnilyr lva t a tr r 9 6 . t rt e u t r ut a o sd r d liu e f o e tal ee n f co s i e d t di tl t a i to oft c r t ti t phys c a c e .l I . nt nde o s il he pplca i n he ont ol es n he i i n ont xt l d Gui byt sfn e k,t c te mi st r a i hi be wee t VAM C a ded hi r m wor he our xa ne he eltons p t n he nd t doc o s I t tr r t VAM C ha no c r c wih t docor ,a t doc or had no he t r . n ha ega d, he d onta t t he t s nd he t s oblga i t t V AM C . Bot t V A M c- a um con r c a t Loc l - t c r t i ton o he h he t oc t a t nd he lm doc or ontac s 1 H ol ngt tt physci we e i pe ntcon r c or , t Fourh Cic tc i r d: 1 di ha he i ans r nde nde ta t s he t r ui onsde e ( )t tt e p y iin t e te c n rc wa r fre t a a 1 ha h h sca md r h o ta t s eerd o s ç onta tphyscmx' ( t t physca wa t pr de t rc c ii ' 2) hat he iin s o ovi ( pai t' cae, () g r sae nt c e ni t ç ten' r 3 eneal ttme s onc r ng he out ma ra quaiy ofs r ierquie unde t co rc,( nne nd lt e vc e rd r he nta t 4) t l c ofc r by t gove n tove t pr s rpton of he a k ontol he r men r he e c i i dnz a medials i ,( t a hort oft physca gs nd c upples 5) he ut iy he iin t ma erfras ( )c nr cu l e uie nsf ro tc h t s o k eer l, 6 o ta t a r q rme t o f e ol i r a t abiiy oft physca t de lnet se paint,( nd he lt he iin o ci o e te s 7) t physc a sr s nsbiiy t pr vi ofk e s c s he i i n' e po i lt o o de t pa e, uppor t saf s p is a d e up n , ( ) t e pec na e of t tf, u pl , n q ime t 8 h r e tg e he phys c a s t a pr c i e whi h w as de e t a tvii i i n' ot l a tc c vot d o c i tes t rt c rc,()t natr oft c ns ton t t mde he onta t 9 he tle he ompe ai o he p y iin icu n meh d (e s h d l)a d rt s(i lr h sca , n ldig to fe c e u e n ae smia t t e p ysca sus a fe ) ( 0 (h alg d e o e ') o h h iin' u l e s, 1 ) te le e mply rs rc d e ng r rme s ( 1 pr ci mehods of e or ke pi equie nt, 1 ) es rbed t veiyi paintei biiy f teame ,a ( 2)t e ent rf ng te lgi lt or r t nt nd 1 he xt of(healge empl rs r viw oft physca sofkes t le d oye') e e he iin' t . Robb,80F.da 889(ii W ood,671F. a 83 & n.1 ) Usngsmia a l i, 3 t ctng 2d. t 0 0 . i i lr nayss numeous r cour shave hel t phys ci pr di m edi ser ces a f alf ltesar i t d hat i ans ovi ng cal vi t eder aciii e ndependent c r t sunde t FTCA.Se e. ,Carlov.UniedStt ,5F. 1 1 ( hCi. ontacor r he e, g. ril t aes 3d 302, 305 9t r 1 ;Br s r v.Unie Stt , 9F. 1 ,1 ( hCi.1 ;Leonev.Unie Stt , 993) ous ad td aes 98 2d 71 78 5t r 993) td aes 91 F. 46,51( Ci.1 . 0 2d 2d r 990) e e sy pr de t tt doc or we e i pende c ta t s a t doc o sa e a s h xpr s l ovi d ha he t s r nde nt on r c or , nd he t r ctd s uc b man an n s l d srto o e t erme c l u g n .Th r i n e d n es g sigt t y itii g oe ic ei n v r h i dia j d me t e e s o vie c ug e tn ha t VA M C e r s d m or t m i m alc r ove û he pe i r l a i s r tve de a l ' he xe ci e e han ni ontol r f t rphe a , dm ni ta i t is ' i i t lt t docor 'da t da pr so ofm e c ls r c . ncden a o he t s y-o- y ovii n di a e vies Robb,80F. a 8883d t 91 ( ingW o d 6 F.da 8 2 ; e as Cie e v.n v He 1 S s Sev . 1 5F.d2 6 2 0 ct i o , 71 2 t 3 ) s e lo lc k l o a at y . r s, 1 3 5 , 6 h ( hCi.1 ( di t taphyscinwa a i pe ntc rcort rTil Vl e n 4t r 997) hol ng ha i a s n nde nde onta t mde te I ve t o g t eh ptl o to ldt d nitaied tis). h u h h os ia c n r le ç mi srtv eal' a Apa tfom l c ng c r oft doc or 'pe f ma eoft c e a pe t oft i r r a ki ontol he t s ror nc he or s c s her r ponsbiii ,an as i co r s t at ca e oye - mpl er a i hi t VAM C di es i ltes d lo n nta t o ypi l mpl re oye eltons p, he d notpa t docor ,wihhol t docor 'txe ,o pr vi t doc o swih e oyme be tt y he t s t d he t s a s r o de he t r t mpl nt neis lkeme c lmapr ciei trnc SeeKr me v.Unie Stt ,843F.Supp.1 1 ( D. i dia l a tc nsla e. a r td aes 066, 070 E. Va.1 (t me fom t gove n n t ahe t c ee iywhi i tunc nstst 994) ûpay nt r he r me t o alh ar ntt ch n t' ompe ae he i vi heat ca epr de on isown t msi a i c t ofi pe ntc r dor ndi dual lh r ovi r t er s n ndi a or nde nde onta saus' M ac l v. tdStts 807F.Supp. 779- ( . Ga.1 2) Bec us co e tt .); Donad Unie ae , 775, 80 M D. 99 . a e r as t ofa e o - m pl e r lto hi we e a e , hec tfndst tt docor we e pec s n mpl yere oye ea i ns p r bs nt t our i ha he t s r i pe nde nden c r c o s t onta t r . M cGhee a guest tt doc o sw e e e pl e be us t V A M C r qui e t Loc l r ha he t r r m oye s ca e he e r d he lm docor t r nde medials r i sd i busnes hour ,s heduld t i pa int,a pr d t so e r c e vce urng i s s c e her te s nd ovi td t m wih slgialf c ltes e pm e ,a a dit ton s t .Thi i,howe r amyo c he t t c a iii , qui nt nd c ai ysem r ss ve , pi viw oft mi ie i de t t a t lr ai hi TheVAM C- um c r tt s y e he nuta nci nt o he cua eltons p. Loc ontac o uppl quaii d m e ca pe s lfe di l r onnelt r rmedials r c st twoul me t VAM C' ne ds o ende c e vi e ha d et he S e a t ly go r d t r a i hi A ss h,t doc or es e i ly pe f m e s r i st t c ua l ve ne he el tons p. uc he t s s nta l r or d e v ce ha Locl a e t pr det t VAM C. l a e ,t doc o s c planc wih t lm gr ed o ovi o he n ny vent he t r ' om i e t he 6 s i a i oft VAM C- Um c r c i i no wa t ki ofmea ngf lc r t ti pec fc tons he LOC onta t s n y he nd ni u ontol ha s i cai ofa e pl - mpl er a i hi Nor c e ualy, st pr son o ndi tve n m oyere oye eltons p. , ontxt l i he ovii f s dulng s r i s f c ltesa e pm e t a adit ton s tm . e Ciie 115F. a che i e vce , a iii nd qui n , nd c ai yse Se lc k, 3d t 262( eoft hos tlsi tu nt andohe r otr si fnhe e i t pr vii of Us he pia' nsr me s t r es lce s ç r nt n he o son i me ia s r ie a dlk wiei n tarla l id c trofe o e sa (e a s ). . e dc l e vc s n i e s s o eibe n iao mply e tms b c u e . h mus, n am os e r ca e, e ... aclte pr vi d by t hos t i or rt r nde hi t i l t ve y s us f iii s o de he pial n de o e r s s r i ss . e v ce . , l )2 M c e as a s rst docor we ee pl esbe a et VAM C r uie t m t Ghe lo s e t he t s r m oye c us he eq r d he o c ompl wih isbylws polces a pr e lesi e hangef medi lprviege .But a o y t t a , i i , nd oc dtr n xc or ca i l s , s ne c u t sn td,ist ey b i s b e tt ()ho ptlsr lsa ac n iino sa f rvlg s o r ha o e t jl l, eng u j c o a s ia' ue s o dto f tf p ii e l r e doesnotr m ot y m a aprvae physc a a e pl e el ke i t ii n n m oyeeoft thos t . Lil v.Fi l t ha pial' ly ' edsone, 8 6F.d8 7 8 0( 0hCi.1 8 )( ligt t p ysca wa a id p n e t o ta t r; e 7 2 5 , 6 1 t r 9 9 hodn ha a h iin s n n e e d n c n rco ) s e as Ore n , 25U. a 81 C g- q eto h r i n t eh rte(le e g ven n lo la s 4 S. t 5 t-l u sin e e s o wh t e h alg d o r me t lhe e oye rcevesf rlmone andmus c ywihf rlsa r a r gultons but mpl el e i edea y t ompl t edea tndads nd e ai , whehe isda t da ope ainsa es r s dbyt Fe r Gove n t' Rob 80F. a t r t y-o- y r to r upevie he deal r men . ); b, 3d t 888.1 3 1 The c t est tt sar l e i pr pe l f us t c r a ys s o t he pe i r , 2 our not ha hi p m nt m o ry oc es he ontol nal i n t t rphe al a i sr tvede al whih we e i de alt t r nde i ofm e ca s r c 'a no on dm nitai t is c r nci nt o he e rng di l e vies' nd t Shec r ove t pe f ma oft me c ls vies'Robb,80F. a 88891( i t ontol r he ror nce he dia er c . t ' 3d t - quotng fom W ood,671F. a 8 ) çlher lts i c r ove t prmaya tviyc r ce f r 2d t 31 . ç- ea et s ontol r he i r ci t onta td or a nott pe i r ,ad i sr tvea t r a i t s a tviy. l a 889;s e as Ciec k, nd he rphe al m nitai c s eltng o uch c i t ' d. t ' e lo l e 11 F. a 260(e ognii t ttahos t mus ase tade eeofc lci c r ove 5 3d t r c zng ha ( pial t sr gr onfitng ontol r e e yd co ' wok- wheh ra e o e , o )a id pe d n c nr co ' v r o t rs r te n mply e gr n n e n e t o ta tr). 1 M cGhe a s m a nt i t tt cour s ul a y a Sa nc by es oppe ' t y and r le 3 e l o i a ns ha he t ho d ppl n t ge y t l' heor ei s onGa ev. tdStts 648F.Supp. 439( D.Ohi 1986 ,i whiht mbl Unie ae , 438, N. o ) n c he a i sr ti ofapai ntsesaebr ug am e c m apr tc aci n a i tt Unie St t s dm nitarx te ' tt o ht dial l aci e to ga ns he t d a e bas d on t alege ne i nceofa ane t i ogitdtrngan o r ton on t pa inta aVA e he l d glge n shesol s zi pe a i he te t hos t l 1 a 439- l hol ngt tt Unie Stt swa e t bl esoppe fom as e tng pia . d. t 40. n di ha he t d a e s quia y t d r s ri t tt a t s ol s w asnota gove n e e pl e,t tç ts ii a l s a e t tt ha he neshe i ogi t r m nt m oye ha our pec f c ly t t d ha he 7 Att e oft da t rt conta sa i pr ci e, hedoc or ha a loft he nd he y, mde he r ct nd n a tc t t s d l he halm a ksofi pe ntc r ct s a M c e ha ma s l d not ng s t n i lt l r nde nde onta or , nd Ghe s r ha e hi ubsa ta o ove c e t tc us on. r om ha oncl i 11 1. Fo t f egoi r as ,t c t l gr ntt g m me ' m oto t dimi s r he or ng e ons he our wil a he ove nts i n o s s M c e scamsfu d do tea to so t et d co su e 1 ( )1. Ghe ' li o n e n h cin f h wo o t r nd r 2 b ( ) EN TER :M a c 6, 4. r h 201 I I STATESDI CT J X TED STRI UDGE a shesol s hel hi efoutt bet c efofa t sol s r iesa t VA ( t t ne t i ogit d ms l o he hi neshei ogy e vc t he wih he VA' c e ) l a 441.Unlket docori Ga e,hedocor i t sc s di nothol or s ons nt.d. t i he t n mbl t t s n hi a e d d pur tt hol a a i sr tveposto wihi t VAM C. Ga ei t r f ei ppost por o d n dm nitai ii n t n he mbl s he e or na ie a d i a y c s ,çeq ia l et p e i rrl v lda an t h g ven n 'a dse i1itd n ,n n a e t l utb e so p l s aey ai g is t e o r me t' n e ms 1 tte l t e tbihj rs ito . e eg, n o v Uni dS ae ,1 2F.d2 , 7 ( t Ci.1 9 ) o sa ls u idcin Se , ..Lik us . t tts 4 3 71 2 7 5h r 9 8 ; e DelValev.Sa he 1 F.Supp. 1 4,1 2( D.Fl 2001.Theque tonbeor t l nc z, 70 2d 25 27 S. a. ) si f e he cour i aj iditonalquesi a t whehe t Unie Stt ha waveds r i i t s urs ci ton s o t r he td aes s i ove egn mmuniy. t Thatques i t ton urnson w het t t o doct are em pl her he w ors oyeest derpri pl ofest m nci es oppel . The r m a n pr c s y wha t y a e. R a her w hen e t y e i e i el t he r t , s oppe i a i d,i pr c ude on e t bl l s pple t e l s quia e g ot t e t r mds he s opped pa t 9o t ki a co r r pos ton. l doesnota t rt tpa t s sa us ry m a ng nt a y ii t le ha r y' t t . Cons eque l i i no a s tci ntve cl t e f c a w a verofs e g i m t iy. nty, t s t ufi e hi e o f e t i over i n m m t 8

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