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NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37
JOSEPH W. PILCHESKY : IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
: PENNSYLVANIA
Appellant :
:
:
v. :
:
:
MARYLOU RAINONE, D.O.; : No. 57 MDA 2019
GEISINGER GENERAL SURGERY :
POTTSVILLE, A/K/A GEISINGER :
MEDICAL CENTER, GEISINGER :
HEALTH, GEISINGER HOSPITAL :
AND/OR GEISINGER MEDICAL :
GROUP :
Appeal from the Order Entered November 27, 2018
In the Court of Common Pleas of Schuylkill County Civil Division at
No(s): S-1857-17
BEFORE: STABILE, J., McLAUGHLIN, J., and MUSMANNO, J.
MEMORANDUM BY McLAUGHLIN, J.: FILED FEBRUARY 18, 2020
Joseph W. Pilchesky appeals from the order sustaining the Preliminary
Objections of above-captioned Defendants and dismissing his medical
malpractice case with prejudice. Pilchesky argues that the court erred in
sustaining Defendants’ Preliminary Objections on the basis that Pilchesky
failed to file a valid certificate of merit. We affirm.
Pilchesky, who has represented himself throughout this action, filed a
Complaint against Dr. Marylou Rainone alleging that in February 2014, Dr.
Rainone negligently performed a dual hernia repair surgery. The surgery
involved implanting mesh in Pilchesky’s groin area. Pilchesky claimed that in
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December 2017, his 2014 hernia surgery failed, and he underwent a second,
emergency surgery to his right groin area. This latter surgery was performed
by a Dr. Hughes.
Dr. Rainone filed a notice of intention to enter a judgment of non pros
due to Pilchesky’s failure to file a certificate of merit. See Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3;
1042.6. Pilchesky then filed a certificate of merit in which he stated that expert
testimony was unnecessary to prosecute his claim. See Pa.R.C.P.
1042.3(a)(3). The certificate of merit was not signed by an attorney, and was
not accompanied by a written statement from a licensed professional. See
Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3(e).
Pilchesky thereafter filed an Amended Complaint, Second Amended
Complaint, and Third Amended Complaint. In the Third Amended Complaint,
Pilchesky repeated his claims of medical malpractice against Dr. Rainone.
Pilchesky also put forth negligence claims against Geisinger General Surgery
Pottsville, a.k.a. Geisinger Medical Center, Geisinger Health, Geisinger
Hospital, and/or Geisinger Medical Group (“Geisinger”). Pilchesky alleged
Geisinger was Dr. Rainone’s employer, and “acted by and through its agent,
ostensible agent, servant, and/or employee, Marylou Rainone, D.O., in
providing . . . medical services to Pilchesky,” and that Geisinger “is vicariously
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responsible for the actions of its agent, Marylou Rainone, D.O.” Third Amended
Complaint at ¶ 59, 65, 67.1
Defendants filed Preliminary Objections to the Third Amended
Complaint. In pertinent part, Defendants demurred to the Third Amended
Complaint because Pilchesky had failed to file a certificate of merit
accompanied by a statement by a licensed medical professional supporting his
claim. Pilchesky filed an Answer to the Preliminary Objections, arguing a
statement by a medical professional was unnecessary because he intended to
introduce into evidence the medical reports of Dr. Rainone and Dr. Hughes,
and to call them as trial witnesses.
The trial court issued an order overruling Defendants’ objection
regarding Pilchesky’s failure to file a certificate of merit. The order stated
Defendants had failed to follow the procedure established by Pa.R.C.P.
1042.3(e), which requires defendants to seek a non pros when a plaintiff does
not file a certificate of merit accompanied by a written statement by an
appropriate licensed professional. See Order, 7/20/18, at ¶ 1.
However, at a subsequent hearing on the remaining preliminary
objections, the court questioned Pilchesky regarding his certificate of merit.
Pilchesky “informed the [c]ourt that he had been attempting to get in contact
with Dr. Hughes, the surgeon who performed the second emergency repair
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1Pilchesky also alleged Dr. Rainone was negligent for failing to perform pre-
operative testing that would have revealed heart blockages that could have
been fatal during his first hernia surgery. The court sustained Defendants’
demurrer to this count, and Pilchesky has not appealed that ruling.
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hernia surgery, but that the doctor was not responding.” Trial Court Opinion
(“Tr. Ct. Op.”), filed 2/15/19, at 7; see also N.T., 9/5/18, at 3, 7-8. Pilchesky
told the court that he “was not certain whether his case fell under any
exception which would excuse the lack of a certificate of merit,” and “he did
not know what exceptions might apply, and he did not have the current Rules
of Civil Procedure.” Tr. Ct. Op. at 7; see also N.T. at 5.
The court informed Pilchesky that he would need to file a certificate of
merit accompanied by a statement by a licensed professional in order to
proceed with his medical malpractice action, and that the court would give
him an addition 45 days to file one. Pilchesky responded that 45 days “was
enough time for him to do so,” and said, “That’s a fair amount of time.” Tr.
Ct. Op. at 8; N.T. at 7. Pilchesky reminded the court that it had previously
been of the opinion “that the preliminary objections was the wrong procedure
to attack the lack of a Certificate of Merit,” and that Defendants should file a
praecipe for a judgment of non pros, after which Pilchesky “would respond
accordingly.” N.T. at 7. The court responded that because he was present at
the hearing on the preliminary objections, Pilchesky was aware of the issue,
and the court was giving Pilchesky extra time to file a new certificate of merit.
Id. Pilchesky responded, “I will do my best.” Id. The court also advised
Pilchesky to hire legal representation. Id. at 8-9.
The court memorialized its decision by issuing a written order on
September 7, 2018, directing Pilchesky to file a certificate of merit by October
22, 2018, 45 days later. The order stated, “In the event [Pilchesky] is unable
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to comply with this requirement, the court may at that time grant Defendants’
preliminary objection [and dismiss] the case with prejudice.” Order, 9/7/18,
at 1. The order also stated that the court had “advised the parties that [it]
would treat the preliminary objection regarding the Certificate of Merit to
comply with [Rule Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3].” Id. at 1 n.1.
Pilchesky did not file a new certificate of merit. More than a month after
the October 22 deadline had passed, the court entered an order sustaining
Defendants’ demurrer to Pilchesky’s Third Amended Complaint and dismissing
the case with prejudice.
Pilchesky appealed, and raises the following issues:
1. Did the trial court abuse its discretion in dismissing the Third
Amended Complaint against [Dr. Rainone, a] licensed professional
defendant, a doctor, for [Pilchesky’s] failure to file a Certificate of
Merit?
2 Did the trial court err at law in dismissing the Third Amended
Complaint against [Geisinger], a non-licensed professional
defendant, a medical business, for the want of [Pilchesky] filing a
Certificate of Merit?
3. Did [Rainone/Geisinger] waive their argument that Pilchesky
failed to file a Certificate of Merit?
Pilchesky’s Br. at 4.2
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2 Pilchesky’s brief is not organized into sections corresponding to his questions
presented, in contravention of Pa.R.A.P. 2119(a). We do not believe this failing
has hindered our ability to consider Pilchesky’s arguments, and we therefore
do not find waiver. However, to the extent we have misunderstood or failed
to consider any argument, Pilchesky has waived it by failing to comply with
Rule 2119(a).
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I. Certificate of Merit
Pilchesky argues the court erred in requiring him to file a certificate of
merit accompanied by a written statement by a medical professional.
Pilchesky argues he could prove his claims without providing his own expert,
by cross-examining Dr. Rainone, admitting Dr. Hughes’ medical report into
evidence, and securing Dr. Hughes’ testimony through a subpoena. Pilchesky’s
Br. at 13-15. In the alternative, Pilchesky argues expert testimony is not
required to prove his case, because his hernia operation was not so
complicated that laypersons would not understand the negligent aspects of a
mesh hernia surgery gone wrong. Id. at 14, 20. Pilchesky also posits that his
allegations satisfy the elements of res ipsa loquitur. Id. at 20-22. Pilchesky
tangentially argues he substantially complied with the Rules by filing a
certificate of merit stating his belief that no expert testimony was necessary.
Id. at 18.
Interpretation of the Rules of Civil Procedure involves a question of law.
We thus employ a de novo standard of review. Bruno v. Erie Ins. Co., 106
A.3d 48, 73 (Pa. 2014).
Rule 1042.3 of the Rules of Civil Procedure requires that “[i]n any action
based upon an allegation that a licensed professional deviated from an
acceptable professional standard,” the plaintiff or plaintiff’s attorney must file
a certificate of merit within 60 days of filing the complaint. Pa.R.C.P.
1042.3(a). The certificate of merit must state one of three things: (1) an
appropriate licensed professional has supplied a written statement that the
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conduct described in the complaint fell outside acceptable professional
standards and caused the plaintiff’s harm; (2) the claim against the defendant
is based solely on allegations that other licensed professionals for whom this
defendant is responsible deviated from an acceptable professional standard;
or (3) the expert testimony of a licensed professional is unnecessary for the
prosecution of the claim. Id. at (a)(1)-(3).
However, if the certificate of merit is not signed by an attorney, the
plaintiff must attach a written statement from an appropriate licensed
professional supporting the claim. Id. at (e). Thus, reading subsections (a)(2)
and (e) together, the certificate of merit must include a statement from a
licensed professional unless an attorney certifies that expert testimony is
unnecessary; the Rule does not allow a pro se party to certify that expert
testimony is unnecessary. Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3(a)(2) & (e). As an attorney did
not sign Pilchesky’s certificate of merit, the court did not err in requiring
Pilchesky to file a new certificate of merit accompanied by a written statement
by a licensed medical professional. Pilchesky’s arguments that he could
prosecute his claim without expert testimony are beside the point.
Furthermore, Pilchesky may not rely on expert reports to satisfy the
certificate of merit requirement or to claim substantial compliance with the
Rule. See Womer v. Hilliker, 908 A.2d 269, 278 n.10 (Pa. 2006). Nor do we
consider Pilchesky’s assertions that he will rely on the trial testimony of Dr.
Rainone or Dr. Hughes to be substantial compliance. The Rule does not allow
a pro se plaintiff simply to identify an expert; it requires a written statement
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by that expert supporting the plaintiff’s claim. See Womer, 908 A.2d at 275–
76. In addition, Pilchesky cannot force Drs. Rainone and Hughes to testify as
medical experts against their will. See Boucher v. Pa. Hosp., 831 A.2d 623,
632 (Pa.Super. 2003). The court did not err in requiring Pilchesky to file a
certificate of merit accompanied by a written statement by an appropriate
licensed professional.
II. Vicarious Liability
Pilchesky next argues the court erred in dismissing his claims against
Geisinger because he did not file a valid certificate of merit. Pilchesky’s Br. at
23-24. Pilchesky argues that the Rules do not require him to file a certificate
of merit in relation to his claims against Geisinger, because he is not asserting
a professional liability claim against Geisinger, but rather a vicarious liability
claim. Id.
A plaintiff whose claim against a defendant “is based solely on
allegations that other licensed professionals for whom this defendant is
responsible deviated from an acceptable professional standard” may file a
certificate of merit stating that such is the case. Pa.R.C.P. 1042.3(a)(2).
However, the plaintiff must also file a certificate of merit as to the other
licensed professional for whom the defendant is allegedly responsible. Id.,
Note.
Pilchesky’s Third Amended Complaint alleged that Geisinger was
vicariously responsible for Dr. Rainone’s negligence as a licensed professional.
Pilchesky was therefore required to file a certificate of merit stating that his
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claim against Geisinger was based on allegations that a licensed professional
for whom Geisinger was responsible (i.e., Dr. Rainone) deviated from an
acceptable professional standard, as well as a valid certificate of merit as to
Dr. Rainone. As Pilchesky did not comply with these requirements, no relief is
due.
III. Waiver
Pilchesky argues Defendants waived their objection to his failure to file
a valid certificate of merit, because Defendants never sought judgment non
pros. Pilchesky’s Br. at 15-16, 25.3 Pilchesky offers no authority to support
this proposition, and we have found none. Insofar as Pilchesky maintains he
is due relief because the court sustained Defendants’ demurrer, rather than
requiring Defendants to seek judgment non pros, we conclude no relief is due
for two reasons.
First, Pilchesky did not preserve this issue below. When Defendants filed
Preliminary Objections raising the lack of a valid certificate of merit, Pilchesky
did not raise it either by filing Preliminary Objections to the Preliminary
Objections, or in his Response to Defendants’ Preliminary Objections. Rather,
Pilchesky’s Response only addressed the requirement that he supply a written
statement by a medical professional. Although Pilchesky briefly raised the
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3 Pilchesky argues for the first time on appeal that the court violated the
doctrine of res judicata by first dismissing Defendants’ preliminary objections
because they failed to seek a non pros, and later ruling in Defendants’ favor
on this issue on subsequent Preliminary Objections. Pilchesky’s Br. at 25-26.
As Pilchesky did not argue res judicata to the trial court, and presents no
supporting authority in his brief, he has waived this issue.
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question at the hearing on the Preliminary Objections, he ultimately
acquiesced to the court’s requiring a certificate of merit. See Commonwealth
v. Hewlett, 189 A.3d 1004, 1010 (Pa.Super. 2018) (holding acquiescence in
ruling waived challenge to it on appeal). When the court stated that it would
give him additional time to file a certificate of merit, Pilchesky made no
argument that the court could not require him to do so unless Defendants
sought a judgment of non pros. Instead, Pilchesky agreed to file a new
certificate of merit before the deadline set by the court. An appellant may not
raise new legal theories on appeal, and we consider the issue waived.
Andrews v. Cross Atl. Capital Partners, Inc., 158 A.3d 123, 130
(Pa.Super. 2017) (en banc).
Second, and equally important, Pilchesky fails to argue how he was
prejudiced by the court’s decision to dismiss his case on Preliminary
Objections, rather than require Defendants to seek a non pros. Pilchesky does
not argue that had the court required Defendants to seek judgment non pros,
he would have complied with the certificate of merit requirement in the
interim, or sought more time in which to comply. Nor does Pilchesky argue
that if the court had entered a judgment of non pros, he would have
successfully sought to open judgment. We therefore consider any procedural
error in ruling on the issue on preliminary objections to be at most harmless
error. We therefore affirm the order of the trial court granting Defendants’
Preliminary Objections and dismissing this action with prejudice.
Order affirmed.
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Judgment Entered.
Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary
Date: 02/18/2020
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Pilchesky, J. v. Rainone, M.
Combined Opinion