SMYRE v. AMARAL, 13-387-SLR-MPT. (2013)
Court: District Court, D. Delaware
Number: infdco20130701781
Visitors: 10
Filed: Jun. 28, 2013
Latest Update: Jun. 28, 2013
Summary: MEMORANDUM ORDER MARY PAT THYNGE, Magistrate Judge. Upon motion by defendant MHM Services, Inc., under 18 Del. C. 6853(d), the court has considered in camera whether the affidavit of merit filed by plaintiff in this medical negligence case complies with subdivisions (a)(1) and (c) of 18 Del. 6853. Section 6853(a)(1) of Title 18 of the Delaware Code provides that all healthcare negligence complaints must be accompanied by an affidavit of merit as to each defendant, signed by an expert wit
Summary: MEMORANDUM ORDER MARY PAT THYNGE, Magistrate Judge. Upon motion by defendant MHM Services, Inc., under 18 Del. C. 6853(d), the court has considered in camera whether the affidavit of merit filed by plaintiff in this medical negligence case complies with subdivisions (a)(1) and (c) of 18 Del. 6853. Section 6853(a)(1) of Title 18 of the Delaware Code provides that all healthcare negligence complaints must be accompanied by an affidavit of merit as to each defendant, signed by an expert witn..
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MEMORANDUM ORDER
MARY PAT THYNGE, Magistrate Judge.
Upon motion by defendant MHM Services, Inc., under 18 Del. C. § 6853(d), the court has considered in camera whether the affidavit of merit filed by plaintiff in this medical negligence case complies with subdivisions (a)(1) and (c) of 18 Del. 6853.
Section 6853(a)(1) of Title 18 of the Delaware Code provides that all healthcare negligence complaints must be accompanied by an affidavit of merit as to each defendant, signed by an expert witness, as defined in 18 Del. C. § 6854, accompanied by a current curriculum vitae of the witness, and stating that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there has been healthcare medical negligence committed by each defendant. The purpose of § 6853 is to "require that expert medical testimony be presented to allege a deviation from the applicable standard of care."1
The court has reviewed the affidavit of merit and the accompanying curriculum vitae. The court finds:
1. The affidavit is signed by an expert witness, as defined in 18 DEL. C. § 6854.
2. The affidavit is accompanied by a current curriculum vitae.
3. The affidavit sets forth the expert's opinion consistent with the requirements of 18 DEL. C. § 6853.
4. The expert witness was licensed to practice as a professional counselor (LPC) in the State of Delaware as of the date of the affidavit.
6. In the three years immediately preceding the alleged negligent act(s), the expert witness was engaged in the treatment of patients in the field of medicine at issue in plaintiff's amended complaint, that is, mental health.
Therefore, having reviewed in camera the sealed affidavit of merit and accompanying curriculum vitae of plaintiff's expert witness, the court finds the affidavit of merit complies with sections 6853 (a)(1) and (c) of Title 18 of the Delaware Code.
FootNotes
1. Dishmon v. Fucci, 32 A.3d 338, 342 (Del. 2011) (citation omitted).
Source: Leagle
