Medical Malpractice Exam: Torts II - Question 25, Exams of Law of Torts

Download Medical Malpractice Exam: Torts II - Question 25 and more Exams Law of Torts in PDF only on Docsity! EXAM NO. _________ CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW TORTS II SPRING SEMESTER EXAMINATION Professors Dallon and Melilli Monday, April 28, 2003 Page 1 of 13 INSTRUCTIONS: This exam consists of 26 questions. All 26 questions must be answered in one sitting. The total time for the exam is two hours. Questions 1-24 are short answer questions and are worth one point each. Questions 25 and 26 are essay questions and are worth 24 and 36 points, respectively. For the two essay questions, lines are provided for your answers on the exam. Confine your answers to the provided lines. Do not write your answers in separate exam books. This is a closed-book exam. No written or recorded information or materials may be used during the exam. Except as provided in the questions, the governing law is general Tort law. Write your number on each page of the exam. PRINT OR WRITE AS LEGIBLY AS YOU CAN. DO NOT USE ABBREVIATIONS EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THE QUESTIONS. Q 1-Q 24 / 24 Q 25 / 24 Q 26 / 36 Total / 84 Grade ________ EXAM NO. ________ TORTS II SPRING SEMESTER EXAMINATION Professors Dallon and Melilli Monday, April 28, 2003 Page 2 of 13 Questions 1-24 24 points You are the judge presiding over a trial in which both the plaintiff and the defendant were injured in a traffic accident. Each of the parties was driving a vehicle involved in the collision. Plaintiff has filed a claim for her injuries and defendant has counterclaimed for his own injuries. Defendant was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. The jury has completed a special verdict form indicating the following factual findings: 1) Total amount of Plaintiff’s damages: $100,000 2) Total amount of Defendant’s damages: $200,000 3) Percentage of Defendant’s damages resulting from failure to wear seat belt: 50% 4) Percentage of fault assignable to Plaintiff for the collision itself: 60% 5) Percentage of fault assignable to Defendant for the collision itself: 40% 6) Percentage of fault assignable to Plaintiff for the Defendant’s injuries caused in part by the Defendant’s failure to wear a seat belt: 40% 7) Percentage of fault assignable to Defendant for the Defendant’s injuries caused in part by the Defendant’s failure to wear a seat belt: 60% Based on these findings, what amounts should each of the parties receive given the following legal conclusions? For purposes of the following, assume that a jurisdiction that has adopted the Doctrine of Avoidable Consequences considers the failure to wear a seat belt, where applicable, in the calculation of comparative fault. Assume the jurisdiction is a Contributory Negligence jurisdiction, permits setoff, and has adopted the Doctrine of Avoidable Consequences. 1. Plaintiff’s Recovery $__________ 2. Defendant’s Recovery $__________ Assume the jurisdiction is a Pure Comparative Negligence jurisdiction, permits setoff, and has adopted the Doctrine of Avoidable Consequences. 3. Plaintiff’s Recovery $__________ 4. Defendant’s Recovery $__________ Assume the jurisdiction is a Modified Comparative Negligence jurisdiction, permits setoff, and has adopted the Doctrine of Avoidable Consequences. 5. Plaintiff’s Recovery $__________ 6. Defendant’s Recovery $__________ EXAM NO. ________ TORTS II SPRING SEMESTER EXAMINATION Professors Dallon and Melilli Monday, April 28, 2003 Page 5 of 13 Question 25 24 points On June 1, 1995, Paula is shot in a hunting accident in Colorado. Treated in a rural emergency room, Dr. Blind, a radiologist, informs Paula that the bullet passed completely through her body and that surgery is not required. In fact, a more careful reading of the x-rays would have disclosed the presence of bullet fragments in Paula’s chest cavity. The bullet fragments are harmless unless they enter the bloodstream. On June 1, 1996, the bullet fragments enter Paula’s bloodstream. On June 1, 1997, Paula develops blood poisoning due to the presence of bullet fragments in her bloodstream. No symptoms are yet present. On June 1, 1998, Paula develops several symptoms which cause Dr. Rescue, Paula’s Denver internist, to run some tests and discover that Paula is suffering from blood poisoning due to the presence of bullet fragments in her blood. Dr. Rescue treats Paula heroically for this condition. On June 1, 1999, Paula dies from the blood poisoning. On June 1, 2000, Paula’s estate brings a medical malpractice action against Dr. Blind for Paula’s death. Dr. Blind moves to dismiss because the action is time-barred. 1. When does the applicable limitations period begin to run: a) under a statute of limitations without a discovery rule? b) under a statute of limitations with a discovery rule? c) under a typical statute of repose? Explain your answers. 2. Should Dr. Rescue be permitted to testify as to Dr. Blind’s negligence in reading the x-ray? 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