Clemons v. United States

• Court: District Court, D. Nevada
• Decided: December 28, 2023
• Docket: 2:19-cv-00248
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

1 2 3 4 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 5 DISTRICT OF NEVADA 6 * * *

7 JULIE A. CLEMONS, Case No. 2:19-CV-248 JCM (EJY)

8 Plaintiff(s), FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 9 v.

10 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

11 Defendant(s).

12 13 Presently before the court is the matter of Clemons v. United States. This court conducted 14 a five-day bench trial on this matter beginning December 4, 2023. 15 Considering the evidence adduced at trial, the court makes the following findings of fact 16 and conclusions. Any and all findings of fact set forth herein shall constitute findings of fact even 17 if stated as conclusions of law, and any conclusions of law set forth herein constitute conclusions 18 19 of law even if stated as findings of fact. 20 Consistent with those findings and the previous rulings in this matter, the court hereby rules 21 in favor of plaintiff Julie Clemons and against defendant the United States on her negligence claim, 22 and awards damages for past medical expenses in the amount of $4,320.12, as set forth below. 23 FINDINGS OF FACT 24 25 1. This is a personal injury action arising from a car accident on December 11, 2015 26 (the “accident”), involving plaintiff Julie Clemons (“plaintiff” or “Clemons”) and dismissed 27 defendant Sergeant First Class Marcus Brandt (“Brandt”) of the United States Army. 28 1 2. Clemons alleges that the accident caused injuries to her cervical spine, lumbar 2 spine, left shoulder, and brain. Clemons also alleges emotional distress and pain and suffering. 3 3. The United States concedes $4,320.12 in damages, but Clemons did not—during 4 trial—present sufficient testimony to establish causation to support the remaining $5,178,878.72 5 6 in damages she is seeking. 7 4. Clemons did not present the court with a reasonable method of calculating damages 8 for pain and suffering. 9 5. On December 11, 2015, Clemons was driving a 2008 Nissan Altima eastbound on 10 W. Desert Inn Road in Nevada. 11 12 6. Clemons testified that she abruptly stopped her vehicle after the car ahead of her in 13 the left lane came to a sudden stop. 14 7. While on active duty, Brandt was driving a 2015 Ford Transit Wagon SUV behind 15 Clemons. Upon seeing Clemons apply her brakes, Brandt applied his brakes, but the SUV struck 16 the rear of Clemons’ Nissan Altima. 17 18 8. Clemons was 58 years old at the time of the accident. 19 9. At the time of the accident, Clemons was a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada. 20 10. Clemons testified that her airbags did not deploy. 21 11. After the collision, Brandt—a trained combat medic—went over to Clemons to 22 determine if she was okay. 23 24 12. Brandt testified that at the scene, close in time to the accident, he conducted a visual 25 examination of Clemons and did not see any evidence that Clemons sustained a concussion. 26 13. Brandt testified that he did not see any bruises, scrapes, or abrasions on Clemons’ 27 head. 28 1 14. Brandt testified that he did not recall Clemons saying she struck her head twice or 2 telling anyone that she lost consciousness. 3 15. Brandt testified that he was at fault for the accident. 4 16. Clemons called Marvin Clemons to come to the scene of the accident. 5 6 17. Clemons refused medical attention at the accident scene. 7 18. On the date of the accident—December 11, 2015—Marvin Clemons drove plaintiff 8 to the Quick Care Clinic on Maryland Parkway, where she was seen by Dr. Tarquino. 9 19. At the Quick Care Clinic, Clemons denied having back pain. 10 20. At the Quick Care Clinic, Clemons reported only a headache, neck pain, and left 11 12 shoulder pain. 13 21. At the Quick Care Clinic, a physical examination of Clemons’ lumbar spine 14 revealed that it was normal. 15 22. Dr. Tarquino did not diagnose Clemons with a concussion. 16 23. Dr. Tarquino noted that there were no visible lesions on Clemons’ head. 17 18 24. Dr. Tarquino prescribed only one month of physical therapy and a muscle relaxant. 19 25. Dr. Tarquino did not refer Clemons to an orthopedist, a neurologist, or a pain 20 management specialist. 21 26. Defense expert Dr. Rubenstein, a board-certified neurologist, testified that the 22 Quick Care records demonstrate that Clemons was alert and oriented during her examination 23 24 without any record of confusion, disorientation, posttraumatic amnesia, or repetitive questioning. 25 27. Dr. Rubenstein testified that no head trauma was memorialized on the date of the 26 accident. 27 28 1 28. Clemons did not seek additional medical testing for approximately a month 2 following the accident. 3 29. Clemons quit her job one month after the accident. 4 30. Clemons testified that she did return to work after the accident and was able to drive 5 6 on her own. 7 31. The record demonstrates that, before the accident, Clemons had complained of— 8 and been treated for—lower back pain. 9 32. The record demonstrates that, before the accident, Clemons had bilateral shoulder 10 pathologies. 11 12 33. Clemons had received a total arthroplasty in her left shoulder in March of 2011 and 13 an arthroscopic procedure in her right shoulder in August of 2011. 14 Alleged Neurological Injuries 15 34. On January 14, 2016, Clemons saw a neurologist complaining of severe, radiating 16 headaches; confusion; lack of concentration; balance issues; extreme fatigue; and dizziness. The 17 18 neurologist, Dr. Chopra, ordered a variety of diagnostic tests and suggested physical therapy and 19 a follow-up with an orthopedic surgeon. 20 35. Clemons received a brain MRI on January 29, 2016. 21 36. Defense expert Dr. Rubenstein testified that the January 29, 2016, brain MRI of 22 Clemons showed no structural abnormalities and no evidence of traumatic brain injury (“TBI”). 23 24 37. On May 17, 2016, Clemons saw a different neurologist, Dr. Paul Janda, 25 complaining of shoulder, neck, and back pain radiating to her arms and legs as well as multiple 26 cognitive deficits. Dr. Janda ordered a variety of diagnostic tests along with continued physical 27 28 1 and balance therapy. There is no record that Clemons relayed that she had struck her head twice 2 or that she lost consciousness during the accident. 3 38. On May 24, 2016, Clemons received an electroencephalogram (“EEG”). 4 39. The EEG report on May 24, 2016, was normal, which ruled out any seizure activity 5 6 or the presence of an intracranial lesion. 7 40. On May 31, 2016, Clemons received another brain MRI. 8 41. Defense expert Dr. Rubenstein testified that the May 31, 2016, brain MRI showed 9 no structural abnormalities or evidence of TBI. 10 42. Clemons saw Dr. Janda again on June 14, 2016. Dr. Janda noted that her brain MRI 11 12 and EEG were both normal. However, Dr. Janda prescribed pain medications, steroids, and an 13 additional 3 Tesla Brain MRI, as her subjective complaints continued, despite a previous normal 14 brain MRI. 15 43. Dr. Rubenstein testified that greater occipital neuralgia is an unlikely cause of 16 Clemons’ headaches. 17 18 44. On July 18, 2016, Clemons received a 3 Tesla Brain MRI. Dr. Rubenstein testified 19 that the 3 Tesla Brain MRI showed no structural abnormalities or evidence of TBI. 20 45. Clemons claimed that residual dizziness caused her to fall on an escalator at Harry 21 Reid International Airport in mid-December 2016. No doctor had diagnosed Clemons with—or 22 treated her for—vertigo between the date of the accident and this fall. 23 24 46. There is no objective medical evidence that Clemons’ alleged fall in December 25 2016 is causally related to the accident. 26 47. On January 31, 2017, Clemons was diagnosed with a “functional gait disorder.” 27 Functional gait disorders are a subset of functional movement disorders, which are clinical 28 1 syndromes defined by the occurrence of abnormal, involuntary movements that are incongruent 2 with a known neurologic cause. A functional gait disorder is not a diagnosis related to a 3 musculoskeletal or anatomic injury and may also be referred to as a psychogenic movement 4 disorder. A functional gait disorder is unrelated to any organic cause. 5 6 48. After moving briefly to Wisconsin, Clemons continued to have normal neurologic 7 examinations, conducted by Dr. Bubolz at Aurora Bay Care Medical Center in Green Bay, 8 Wisconsin. 9 49. Later, Clemons resumed treatment with Dr. Paul Janda, who provided Botox 10 injections for newly diagnosed migraine headaches. 11 12 50. Dr. Rubenstein testified that the Botox treatment Clemons has been receiving is not 13 (and will never be) causally related to the accident. 14 51. Clemons received yet another brain MRI on May 27, 2021, by Dr. Bubolz, and the 15 records indicate that her brain was normal. 16 52. While Clemons claims moderate to severe memory deficits, the record indicates 17 18 that she has always been able to provide a very detailed account of the accident. 19 53. Clemons’ delay in alleging confusion, lack of concentration, and dizziness is 20 inconsistent with a concussion. 21 54. Clemons’ brain imaging does not show any structural brain injury. 22 55. Dr. Rubenstein testified that Clemons had no neurologic findings consistent with 23 24 vestibular, cerebellar, or posterior column spinal cord pathology. 25 56. There is no objective medical evidence that Clemons suffered a traumatic brain 26 injury due to the accident. 27 28 1 57. Dr. Rubenstein testified that Clemons’ neurologic examinations have been 2 consistently normal over the years despite the intensity of subjective complaints. 3 58. Clemons suffers from a somatic symptom disorder, preexisting anxiety disorder, 4 and major depressive disorder, which are the actual causes of any neurological symptoms she may 5 6 be experiencing. 7 Alleged Left-Shoulder Injuries 8 59. Clemons was treated on a lien at Don Nobis Physical Therapy, starting December 9 23, 2015. 10 60. Clemons’ first visit with an orthopedist was on January 26, 2016, at Advanced 11 12 Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Las Vegas. X-rays of her left shoulder revealed no fracture or 13 dislocation and her prosthesis from a prior total shoulder arthroplasty was well fixed. 14 61. X-rays taken of Clemons’ left shoulder in early February 2016 demonstrated that 15 there was superior migration of the humeral head consistent with questionable advancing rotator 16 cuff disease and that there was evidence of a prior acromioplasty with a thinned acromion. 17 18 62. A February 17, 2016, CT of Clemons’ left shoulder demonstrated mottling and 19 lucency of the bony structures of the glenoid which may be due to prior surgery and, further, that 20 there are linear lines in the glenoid which may be due to prior surgery, prominent vessels, or recent 21 trauma. 22 63. On March 28, 2016, Dr. Yee performed a left shoulder arthroscopy on Clemons. 23 24 64. Defense expert Dr. Murphy, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in the treatment of 25 the shoulder, testified that this March 18, 2016, left shoulder arthroscopy was not medically 26 necessary and not causally related to the accident. 27 28 1 65. As of July 13, 2016, Dr. Yee noted that Clemons’ left shoulder was doing great and 2 that she had no pain. The left shoulder showed no signs of infection. Dr. Yee diagnosed a well- 3 fixed prosthesis and there was no recommended follow-up for Clemons. 4 66. Clemons reinjured her left shoulder on March 16, 2017, while reaching above her 5 6 head at her home, yet X-rays were negative for any acute pathology. She was seen that same day 7 by Derek Harmelink, where the primary concern was a biceps tendinitis tear. 8 67. On March 16, 2017, X-rays of Clemons’ left shoulder document what appeared to 9 be an oversized humeral head with lucencies in the glenoid. Dr. Murphy testified that no gross 10 loosening was seen in this X-ray. 11 12 68. On March 28, 2017, a left shoulder ultrasound was performed on Clemons, which 13 noted a complete tear of the bicep tendon and a partial thickness tear of the supraspinatus, as well 14 as some degenerative tearing. 15 69. On May 15, 2017, Clemons had an office visit with Dr. Gil Freeman for an 16 evaluation for left shoulder pain and a diagnosis of a failed total shoulder arthroplasty. Defense 17 18 expert Dr. Murphy testified that this failed shoulder arthroplasty relates to Clemon’s prior shoulder 19 surgery and is causally unrelated to the accident. 20 70. On May 23, 2017, Clemons saw Dr. Scott A. Anderson from the University of 21 Wisconsin for a second opinion regarding a left shoulder arthroscopy. Dr. Anderson notes that she 22 had a long history of issues with her left shoulder. 23 24 71. On January 17, 2018, X-rays of Clemons' left shoulder showed joint space 25 narrowing with sclerotic changes and osteophyte formation consistent with degenerative joint 26 disease. 27 28 1 72. On March 1, 2018, a CT scan of Clemons' left upper extremity was conducted at 2 Simon Med radiology. Defense expert Dr. Murphy testified that at this point, the rotator cuff of the 3 left shoulder had a full tear, demonstrating the progression of the disease. 4 73. Dr. Yee referred Clemons to Dr. Nick Liu for a revision surgery to her left shoulder 5 6 arthroplasty, which was done on August 22, 2018, at the Southern Hills Medical Center. 7 74. Dr. Murphy testified that Dr. Liu's operative notes indicate that the rotator cuff 8 issues were degenerative. 9 75. Dr. Murphy testified that the August 22, 2018, revision left shoulder arthroplasty 10 was not causally related to the accident. Dr. Murphy testified that the accident did not necessitate 11 12 revision shoulder arthroplasty. 13 76. Dr. Murphy testified that the post-accident treatment that Clemons received on her 14 left shoulder represented a natural progression of rotator cuff disease that predated the accident, 15 caused by an oversized shoulder implant placed during her shoulder surgery in 2011, 16 approximately four years before the car accident. 17 18 77. Dr. Murphy testified and explained that an oversized implant is known to place 19 undue stress on the supraspinatus tendon and cause eventual tearing over time. Dr. Murphy 20 explained that as the rotator cuff fails, the humeral head prosthesis will migrate superiorly and 21 cause asymmetric wear on the glenoid component resulting in loosening of the glenoid component 22 over time, which ultimately will lead to failure of the shoulder arthroplasty. 23 24 78. Dr. Murphy testified and explained that his support for this opinion was that Dr. 25 Yee noted only a 10 percent bursal-sided fraying of the rotator cuff at the time of surgery in March 26 2016. At the time of the surgery, Dr. Yee also noted no instability of the humeral head, no full- 27 thickness rotator cuff tear, and no instability of the glenoid component. 28 1 79. By December 17, 2018, Clemons had no complaints of pain in the left shoulder and 2 was doing well. From this point forward, no further records mention her left shoulder causing pain 3 or limiting daily activities. 4 80. Clemons had preexisting bilateral shoulder pathology before the accident. 5 6 81. Clemons' shoulder surgery on August 22, 2018, is not related to the accident. 7 82. Dr. Murphy testified that the accident did not lead to Clemons' need for the revision 8 shoulder arthroplasty procedure. 9 83. Dr. Murphy testified that Clemons will not need any future treatment on her left 10 shoulder. 11 12 84. If Clemons were to undergo any treatment or surgery on her left shoulder in the 13 future, it would not be causally related to the December 11, 2015, car accident. 14 Alleged Spine Injuries 15 85. A CT scan of Clemons' cervical spine on February 17, 2016, showed no fracture. 16 86. Defense expert Dr. Bjerke, an orthopedic surgeon with a specialty in the spine, 17 18 testified and explained that there was no evidence of acute or traumatically induced injuries on the 19 February 17, 2016, CT scan of the cervical spine. 20 87. On May 31, 2016, Clemons received an MRI of her cervical spine. 21 88. Dr. Bjerke opined that there is no evidence of any acute or traumatically induced 22 injuries on the May 31, 2016, cervical spine MRI. The MRI showed no fractures or gross soft 23 24 tissue injury and only some very mild degeneration at the C6/7 level with a broad disc bulge at 25 C6/7. Dr. Bjerke explained that these findings are age-appropriate and expected in an adult patient 26 of Clemons' age. 27 89. On May 31, 2016, Clemons received an MRI of her lumbar spine. 28 1 90. The MRI showed mild endplate changes at the L5/S1 disc space and mild 2 degenerative changes. There is no significant spinal stenosis (crowding or pressure on the spinal 3 nerves). There are no signs of significant trauma, disc herniation, or significant soft tissue injury. 4 91. Dr. Bjerke explained that these findings are age-appropriate and to be expected in 5 6 an adult patient of Clemons' age. 7 92. Dr. Bjerke testified that the "mild endplate changes at the L5/S1 disc space" were 8 not caused by the accident. 9 93. Dr. Bjerke opined that there is no evidence of any acute or traumatically induced 10 injuries on the May 31, 2016, lumbar spine MRI. 11 12 94. During Clemons' visit with Dr. Janda on June 14, 2016, he ordered 13 electromyography ("EMG”) for her complaints of neck and lower back pain. 14 95. On July 11, 2016, Clemons' nerve conduction studies were all within normal limits. 15 The only abnormality found on the EMG was electrodiagnostic evidence of a right L5-S1 16 radiculopathy. There was no electrodiagnostic evidence of plexopathy, radiculopathy, or 17 18 inflammatory myopathy affecting all four extremities. 19 96. Dr. Bjerke explained that there was no objective medical evidence connecting 20 Clemons' right L5-S1 radiculopathy to the accident. 21 97. On October 25, 2016, Dr. Janda referred Clemons for a neurosurgical opinion. 22 98. On December 7, 2016, Clemons saw neurosurgeon Dr. Mark B. Kabins, who 23 24 diagnosed her with neck and lower back strain with occipital neuralgia. 25 99. X-rays taken of Clemons' spine on December 7, 2016, did not demonstrate any 26 instability or evidence of fracture. 27 28 1 100. Dr. Bjerke testified that the December 7, 2016, cervical spine x-rays did not show 2 any acute or traumatically induced injuries to Clemons's back that were causally related to the 3 accident. 4 101. Clemons received X-rays of her lumbar spine on February 7, 2017. Dr. Bjerke 5 6 testified that the X-rays did not show any acute or traumatically induced injuries that were causally 7 related to the accident. 8 102. From March 14, 2017, to June 22, 2017, Clemons underwent epidural steroid 9 injections (ESIs) from Dr. Mariam El Baghdadi. Dr. Bjerke testified that none of these injections 10 were medically necessary as a result of the accident. 11 12 103. Clemons later began pain management treatment with Dr. Katherine Travnicek who 13 provided steroid injections to her back. 14 104. Dr. Bjerke testified that none of the epidurals and injections provided by Dr. 15 Travnicek were medically necessary or causally related to the accident. 16 105. X-rays of the Clemons' lumbar spine were taken by Dr. Grondel on January 16, 17 18 2019. Dr. Bjerke testified that the X-rays did not show any acute or traumatically induced injuries 19 that were causally related to the accident. 20 106. Dr. Grondel also conducted a general neurological evaluation of Clemons on 21 January 16, 2019. Dr. Grondel noted that Clemons demonstrated good coordination and could 22 walk without assistance. 23 24 107. Clemons received yet another MRI of her lumbar spine on January 28, 2019. Dr. 25 Bjerke testified that the MRI did not show any acute or traumatically induced injuries that were 26 causally related to the accident. 27 28 1 108. Clemons received epidurals on February 28, 2019, from Dr. Travnicek, and Dr. 2 Bjerke testified that they were not medically necessary or causally related to the accident. 3 109. Dr. Bjerke testified that there was no objective medical evidence that an L4/5 4 radiculopathy was caused by the accident. 5 6 110. Clemons' cervical MRIs were normal for her age, showing only normal 7 degenerative changes. 8 111. Clemons' lumbar MRIs were normal for her age, showing only normal degenerative 9 changes. 10 112. There is no objective medical evidence that any of the orthopedic treatment 11 12 Clemons received after the accident, both shoulder and spine, was causally related to the accident. 13 113. All of Clemons' radiology results were normal for a patient of her age. 14 114. None of Clemons' treating physicians ever recommended a two-level lumbar fusion 15 surgery. 16 115. Dr. Cash is one of Clemons' expert witnesses and is a board-certified orthopedic 17 18 surgeon. 19 116. Dr. Bjerke testified that Dr. Cash's proposed two-level lumbar surgery is not 20 medically necessary or reasonable based on Clemons' medical records, documentation, and 21 imaging in this case. Dr. Bjerke testified there is no medical justification for lumbar spine surgery. 22 117. Dr. Bjerke testified that Clemons will not need any future orthopedic treatment 23 24 (images, repeat testing, evaluations, consultations) for her back that will be causally related to the 25 accident. Dr. Bjerke testified that he specifically disagreed with plaintiff's expert Dr. BiFulco's 26 recommendations. 27 28 1 118. The record demonstrates that there is no radiographic or clinical evidence of any 2 spinal disease that would cause Clemons to experience weakness, loss of balance, vertigo, or 3 instability. 4 119. There is no scoliosis or spinal deformity noted in any of the imaging. 5 6 120. From December 11, 2015, to the present, there is no evidence that Clemons 7 sustained a structural lumbar or cervical spine injury. 8 Alleged Emotional Distress 9 121. On July 16, 2016, Dr. Janda ordered neuropsychological testing. 10 122. Defense expert Dr. Rubenstein testified that there was no indication in the records 11 12 that Clemons ever underwent forensic neuropsychological testing. 13 123. Clemons received Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and Biofeedback Therapy 14 from Dr. Mortillaro from September 2016 to November 2016, at which time Clemons was 15 discharged from his care due to significant improvement. Dr. Mortillaro stated there were no 16 residual accident-related psychological issues that would need further treatment. 17 18 124. Clemons had many preexisting mental health and medical problems that were not 19 related to the accident, and which were not exacerbated by the accident. 20 125. Clemons has not met her burden of proof to demonstrate emotional distress or pain 21 and suffering. 22 Future Damages 23 24 126. The objective medical evidence does not support any of the treatment proposals 25 offered by Dr. Cash. 26 127. The objective medical evidence does not support any of the life care plan proposals 27 offered by plaintiff's life care planning expert, Dr. BiFulco. 28 1 128. Because there is no evidence that Clemons suffered an acute, traumatic spine injury 2 in the accident, any future treatment for her cervical or lumbar spine would not be causally related 3 to the accident. 4 129. At the time Dr. BiFulco wrote his report, he had not spoken with any of Clemons' 5 6 treating physicians or any other experts. 7 130. Dr. Cash testified that he never examined nor treated Clemons. 8 131. Dr. Cash testified that he never reviewed any diagnostic images of Clemons. 9 132. Clemons has not sought any vocational assistance to help her return to the 10 workforce. 11 12 133. Dr. Jesko, the defense's life care planning expert, testified that Dr. BiFulco failed to 13 conduct a forensic interview with Dr. Cash, 14 134. Dr. Jesko testified that after her forensic interviews with Dr. Rubenstein, Dr. 15 Murphy, and Dr. Bjerke, she found no objective evidence of ongoing residual neurological or 16 orthopedic issues associated with the accident. She found that there was no objective evidence to 17 18 support future medical care. 19 135. Dr. Jesko testified that Dr. BiFulco failed to utilize the standards of practice for 20 forensic life care planning and, therefore, his opinions are not reliable. 21 136. Dr. Jesko testified that Dr. BiFulco's estimates regarding Clemons' future medical 22 needs are speculative and unsupported. 23 24 Damages 25 137. The government concedes that Clemons suffered the following injuries: 26 1) a cervical spine strain; 27 2) a lumbar spine strain; 28 1 3) a left shoulder contusion; 2 4) neck pain. 3 138. The government concedes that the following medical visits (including exams, 4 treatments, and diagnostic studies) were reasonable and necessary because of the accident: 5 6 1) the December 11, 2015, Quick Care Clinic visit; 7 2) the referral to Don Nobis for Physical Therapy (for one month only); 8 3) and medication prescribed by Dr. Taquino. 9 139. All other treatments (including exams and diagnostic studies) undergone by 10 Clemons were not reasonable, necessary, or causally related to the accident. 11 12 140. Correspondingly, the court finds that no future medical treatment and expenses are 13 reasonably certain to be incurred as a result of the accident. 14 141. Reasonable and necessary past medical expenses due to the accident total 15 $4,320.12. 16 142. The court does not award economic loss, loss of earnings, or diminished earning 17 18 capacity. 19 143. The court does not award noneconomic damages for past pain and suffering. 20 144. The court does not award noneconomic damages for future pain and suffering. 21 145. The court does not award noneconomic damages for emotional distress. 22 146. The court finds that Clemons was not comparatively negligent in the accident. 23 24 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 25 1. Under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(b)(1), 1402(b), 2401(b), 26 2402, 2671-2680 ("FTCA"), this court has subject matter jurisdiction over the plaintiff's negligence 27 claim against the United States. 28 1 2. Subject to certain exceptions and conditions, the FTCA waives the United States' 2 sovereign immunity such that the United States may be held liable for the negligence of its 3 employees in the same manner and to the same extent as a private individual under like 4 circumstances, according to the law of the state where the act or omission occurred. See Louie v. 5 6 United States, 776 F.2d 819, 824 (9th Cir. 1985); 28 U.S.C. §§ 1346(b)(1), 2674. 7 3. The extent of the United States' liability under the FTCA is determined by the 8 substantive law of the state where the act or omission occurred, but federal law governs procedural 9 issues. Liebsack v. United States, 731 F.3d 850, 855 (9th Cir. 2013); Delta Savings Bank v. United 10 States, 265 F.3d 1017, 1025 (9th Cir. 2001). 11 12 4. Damages awarded pursuant to the FTCA are determined by the laws of the state 13 where the act or omission occurred. Molzof v. United States, 502 U.S. 301, 305 (1992). 14 5. Nevada law applies to Clemons' negligence claim. 15 6. A plaintiff must establish four elements to succeed on a negligence claim: (1) a duty 16 of care, (2) a breach of that duty, (3) legal causation, and (4) damages. Turner v. Mandalay Sport 17 18 Entm't, 180 P.3d 1172, 1175 (Nev. 2008). 19 7. "Legal causation" requires a finding that the defendant was both the cause in fact 20 and the proximate cause of the plaintiff's claimed injuries. Bower v. Harrah's Laughlin, Inc., 215 21 P.3d 709, 724 (Nev. 2009) (modified on other grounds). "Proximate cause is any cause which in 22 natural and continuance sequence, unbroken by any efficient intervening cause, produces the injury 23 24 complained of and without which the result would not have occurred." Taylor v. Silva, 615 P.2d 25 970, 971 (Nev. 1980). 26 8. The United States is liable for the car accident that occurred on December 11, 2015, 27 and concedes $4,320.12 in damages. 28 1 9. The plaintiff has not met her burden of establishing causation and damages for the 2 remaining $5,178,878.72 in damages she is seeking. As a matter of law, a temporal sequence alone 3 is insufficient to establish causation---this is the post hoc fallacy. See Howard v. City of Coos Bay, 4 871 F.3d 1032, 1046 (9th Cir. 2017) ("[W]e are mindful of avoiding 'the logical fallacy of post 5 6 hoc, ergo propter hoc.""). The existence of one condition following the existence of another, 7 without more, is insufficient to prove that the first condition caused the second. 8 10. "[T]he burden of establishing damages lies on the injured party." Central Bit Supply 9 v. Waldrop Drilling & Pump, 717 P.2d 35, 37 (Nev. 1986) (citing Dinwiddie Constr. Co. v. 10 Campbell, 406 P.2d 294 (Nev. 1965). 11 12 11. If the factfinder determines that the plaintiff has not established causation, he or she 13 may conclude that the defendant is liable for the accident yet award no damages to the plaintiff. 14 See Quintero v. McDonald, 14 P.3d 522, 523–24 (Nev. 2000); Fox v. Cusick, 533 P.2d 466, 468 15 (Nev. 1975) (“[I]t is within the province of the jury to decide that an accident occurred without 16 compensable injury."). This is particularly true when there are "confirmed lapses in medical 17 18 treatment following the accident," the plaintiff has preexisting injuries, and the plaintiff fails to 19 offer conclusive evidence of the "reasonableness of the expenses or the necessity of treatment." 20 Quintero, 14 P.3d at 523-24. 21 12. The factfinder is not "bound to assign any particular probative value to any 22 evidence presented." Id. Accordingly, even when the parties have stipulated to the admission of 23 24 medical bills, the factfinder may infer—based on other evidence presented at trial—that the 25 plaintiff's injuries were not legally caused by the subject accident. See id. 26 27 28 1 13. It is up to the factfinder to determine the credibility of witnesses and resolve 2 evidentiary conflicts between competing expert testimony. E.g., SEC v. Todd, 642 F.3d 1207, at 3 1217 (9th Cir. 2011). 4 14. "An award for pain and suffering compensates the injured person for the physical 5 6 discomfort and the emotional response to the sensation of pain caused by the injury itself. Separate 7 damages are given for mental anguish where the evidence shows, for example, that the injured 8 person suffered shock, fright, emotional upset, and/or humiliation as the result of the defendant's 9 negligence." Banks ex rel. Banks v. Sunrise Hosp., 836, 102 P.3d 52, 61–62 (Nev. 2004) (citation 10 omitted). 11 12 15. A plaintiff may recover damages for "reasonable past and future medical expenses 13 and for past and future physical and mental pain, suffering, anguish, and disability" only if it is 14 supported by observable and objective evidence. Paul v. Imperial Palace, Inc., 908 P.2d 226, 228 15 (Nev. 1995). 16 16. To recover for medical expenses and treatment, a plaintiff must prove that the 17 18 expenses and treatments were "reasonable and necessary" as a result of the defendant's tortious 19 conduct. Wilson v. Biomat USA, Inc., No.: 2:10-cv-1657-GMN-RJJ, 2011 WL 5239236, at *3 (D. 20 Nev. Oct. 31, 2011) (citing Hall v. SSF, Inc., 930 P.2d 94, 97 (Nev. 1996)). This is because a 21 negligent defendant is, of course, not automatically liable for every future expense incurred by a 22 plaintiff, but only for those that are the "natural and probable consequence" of the defendant's 23 24 tortious conduct. Id. (citing Hall, 930 P.2d at 97). 25 17. If there is no medical expert testimony stated to a reasonable degree of medical 26 certainty, then there is nothing on which the trier of fact can rely. See Neal-Lomax v. Las Vegas 27 28 1 Metro. Police Dept., 574 F. Supp. 2d 1193, 1198 (D. Nev. 2008) (citing Morsicato v. Sav-On Drug 2 Stores, Inc., 111 P.3d 1112, 1116) (Nev. 2005)). 3 18. Prejudgment interest and punitive damages are not allowed under the FTCA. 28 4 USC § 2674; Carlson v. Green, 446 U.S. 14, 29 n.1 (1980). 5 6 Accordingly, 7 IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, ADJUDGED, and DECREED that, consistent with these 8 findings and conclusions, judgment shall be entered in favor of the plaintiff on her negligence 9 claim in the amount of $4,320.12. 10 IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the United States shall prepare and file a proposed 11 12 judgment consistent with the foregoing findings and conclusions within 10 days of this order. 13 DATED December 28, 2023. 14 __________________________________________ 15 UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28