Medical Mutual Insurance Company of North Carolina v. Image Guided Pain Management, P.C. et al, No. 7:2013cv00499 - Document 19 (W.D. Va. 2014)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge James C. Turk on 4/18/14. (med)

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G ERK' OFFI U.S.XST COURT S CE I . A7 ROANOKE)VA FI LED I THE UNI N TED STATES DI STRI COURT CT FOR TH E W ESTERN DI STRI OF VI NI CT RGI A ROANOKE DI SI VI ON AF 21 2 1 i 21 JU BY: . J r . DU U M ED I AL M U TU A L I SUR AN CE C N COM PANY O F NO RTH CAROLI NA, T CL t Ci lA c i N o.7: 3- vvi ton 1 c 00499 Pl ntf , ai if M EM O M N D UM O PI I N N O I A G E GU I M DED PA I N M A N A G EM EN T,P. , c. JO H N M I I AN M A TH I M . , LL G S. D. and R O BER T FR AN C I O ' RI , . . S B EN M D , By:Ja e C.Tur m s k Se or Unied St e Di t c Judge ni t at s s ri t D e endant . f s Pl nif M e ca Mut l I ur nc Compa of Norh Ca oi (s c l aitf di l ua ns a e ny t r lna CMedia M uu l' b o g tt i a to f rad ca ao yj d me tr g r ig isd t t d fn a ta' r u h hs ci n o e lr tr u g n e adn t u y o e e d ) s res of l ws t br ei a uis ought a i tDef nda s l ge Gui d Pai M a ge e ,P. gans e nt ma de n na m nt C. (I M ' 5 . om M ahs M . (M ah s', n Dr Ro e tO' in, . (i Bre ' tGP ' Dr J l t ) t i, D. i t i' a d . b r Bre M D. C in' k ) O' a coleci l $he Dee nt' 1 Media Mut l i c rnty dee ng t nd l tvey, C t fnda s). cl ua s ure l fndi he unde l ng s t t ra r s r a i ofrg s Pe ngbe or t c ti t Def nda s ryi uis mde e e v ton i ht . ndi f e he our s he e nt ' M oton t Dimi s ECF No.8.The m oto ha be n f ly bre e o a a g ntwas i o s s. i n s e u l i f d, r l r ume he r on Fe ua y 25, 4, i i now rpef diposton. ad br r 201 and t s i or s ii The i s bef r t Co ti whe he ,unde V igi a l , e c lM ut low e a s ue o e he ur s t r r r ni aw M di a ua s d y t def nd t unde l ng lws t br ta ns t Defnda s M e c lM ut ut o e he ryi a uis ough gai t he e nt . di a ual ar ue i owes no dut t de e be a e a1ca ms a s re i t unde l i lws t g st y o f nd c us l li s e td n he ryng a uis 1A Ihough t Compl nti notentr y cl , M e calM ut has cl ii t t i does t he ai s iel ear di ual arfed ha t no s e a d ca aor j dg nta t isduy t i e iy a t stme ECF No.1 a 28 t e k ny e lrt y u me s o t t o nd mnf t hi i . 3 t (t e ia Mut lsa to i s ey c nfne t s e ngad tn nai a t isd t t dee d is s dc l ua' cin s oll o i d o e ki M ee ni ton s o t uy o f n t i urdsi t un ryig lws t.) ns e n he del n a uisn . s CLERK , f lwihi c ran e l i t la lt c ai wihi t i ur eag e ment(k al t n e ti xcusons o ibiiy ont ned t n he ns anc r e 'he t polc 'o She i ur nc polc ' bewee M e ca Mut la t Defnda t .The iy' r t ns a e iy' t n di l ua nd he e n s t ) D e e nt as e t t t M e ca M ut l ha a dut t de e t m i t unde l ng f nda s s r ha di l ua s y o f nd he n he r yi a tons be a e e h com pl i c t i a l s one c a m w hi h does no f l unde a ci c us ac a nt on a ns t ea t li c t al r ny la lt excuso i t i tr ncepolc i biiy l i ns n he nsla iy. Fo t r as r he e ons sa e bel tt d ow, t Co t GR ANTS De e nt ' M o i t he ur f nda s ton o E s nl s. llz s 1. FA C TUA L BA CK G R O UN D A. U nderl ng A ctons yi i I GPM i aV igi a pr e s ona c r r ton w ih ispr nc pa pl c ofbus ne s i s r ni of s i l o po a i t t i i l ae i s n Roa noke, Vigi a M ahi a O' in a e bot physcins who wor a I r ni . t s nd Bre r h ia k t GPM i n Roa noke a dignosi r ol ss A1 t eeDe e nt a ena e de e nt i a s re s a tc adi ogit. l hr f nda s r m d f nda s n e is oflws t t ts k t rc r fr pes na ij i orde t t tr ule fom t a uis ha ee o e ove o ro l n ures ahs ha es td r he ij cin o a alg dy ti td d u , typ e nioo ea eae wh c t eDee d n s ne to f n le e l ane r g meh lr d s ln c tt, ih h fn a t plr hasd fo Ne Englnd Compo i Phamac l (t zc e r m w a undng r y,nc.I NECC')a a nitr ' nd dmi seed t i vi o ndi dualpa int .ECF No. l Alho h t unde l i a tons c it of s ve a te s . t ug he ryng c i onss e rl dif r nt ve so of c fe e r i ns ompli s M e ca M ut l di des t s t i o t c t gore ant , di l ua vi he uis nt wo a e i s bas d upon t t sofcli sm a ag ns t De e e he ype am de ai t he f ndan s t. The f r t c t gor of l w s t , whi h M e c l M ut l r f r t a fGr up A ,' is a e y a uis c di a ua e e s o s t o ' conai s t fld by 1 i vi pl nif .ECF No.1 ! 1 2I r lvantpart t e t ns uis ie 9 ndi dual aitfs , 5. n ee , hes 2Gr A pl ntf si ude Sandr F. Ari ;Rober D .Be ,Execut oft Es ae of oup ai if ncl a ts t nder or he t t Ral J ph ames l ac J ,de ed'Dana M are Br ey'Ronni Alon Br r e, r. ceas , lne adl , e t own,J ;Ronal T. r. d Courney; Tr R.Eppery; Bar r J Fis Zachar Luc Fout A M i Robe Ear t udy l ba a . lon; y as z, nor; rt l Har i,Jr;J i D.Hol ook;CheserT.Kalnos 'Pa i R.M c l rs . ulan br t i ki ulne , Farane;Pati a S.Br rci own, Jenae Spier Pa s l and J c t el ohn D. Spi . Co- cut s of t Esat of Louie B. Spi , cer Exe or he t e s cer deceas Odess M a Shuck;Ja es W itSmih,J ;Ra ph E.Sm ih;Ri r A .W hil ; ed; a e m r t r. ndol t cha d tow Gr u A p an if alg tef lo ngc u t a an tt Dee d n s ()ne lg n ep r o p litfs le e h ol wi o ns g is he fn a t: 1 gi e c e s ba e upon t De e nt al d vi lto o t Vigni Dr Co r Ac ,Va. e sd he f nda s lege o ai ns f he r i a ug ntol t Code j 54.13400 e s c. ( c t el; 2) ommo lw negi nc ( gr sne i nc ( faud; na lge e; 3) os glge e; 4) r a ( wilulvi ai oft Vigni Cons rPr e tonAc,Va.Codej59.- 96 nd 5) lf oltons he r i a ume otci t l1 e s q.ECF No.1 ! 1 -1 The s ond c t or o lws t,whih Media M ut te , ! 3 4. ec aeg y f a uis c c l ual Gr p ' ont ns uis ied ' i ndi dualpl i if . I r e ntpar, a ntf s3 n el va t r e s t as k ou B , c ai s t fl by f ve i vi ef r o i t s Gr u B panif alg t ef lwigc unsa ans teDee d ns ( )c mmo he e o p li tfs le e h ol n o t g i t h f n a t: 1 o n o 1w ne i nce ( brac ofe prs war nt a ( br c ofi i warnt ECF a glge ; 2) e h x e s ra y; nd 3) ea h mpled ra y. N o. 1,Ex. 4 3. B. Ins urance Polc iy The I ur nce Polc is d by M e ca M ut li daed J nuay 11 201 a ns a iy s ue di l ua s t a r , 3 nd wa efeci fo M a c 1 201 t M a c 1 201 ECF No,1 Ex.1.Acc di t t s f tve r m r h , 2 o r h , 3. , or ng o he Dec a a i Page i i a M e c lPr e s o lLi biiy po i y w ih Cove age B pr de l r tons ,t s di a of s i na a lt lc t r ovi d S r G.W ig t,Ex c t ;a d Ro eM ay W hie. No.1 j 1 The Co tha rc ie ha on n ae e uor n s r t ECF , 5. ur s e ev d a r ewed c nd evi ompl nt fom aI t af ementoned pl ntfs. ai s r l he or i ai if M edi M ut ' Compl ntalo IssThomasDougl Goodwi and Ji my Dal Gr cal uals ai s it as n m e een a Gr up A plitfs ECF No.,Ex. ! 1 l as pa ae fl ECF No.l ,M e c lMut l s o an if . l 2, 5. n e rt ii ng, 8 dia ua expl ned t neiher Goodwi nor Gr n ha fied underyi com pli s.l t d,Goodwi ai hat t n ee ve l l ng ant ns ea n and Gr n ass t wrten cl ms agai tt Def ee ered il ai ns he endant on gr s ounds Es t ntaly i i ' t Gubsa i l dentcal' o t e s tf t by t Gr A pl ntf s Be eno f malcompl nt havebee fl t Cour hos e orh he oup ai if . caus or ai s n ied, he t w ilnotr east t Goodwi and Gr com pl nt l ul o he n een ai s. 3 Gr ai if ncl et ker r yn oup B pl ntfs i ude Chance Ever t Ba , Ca ol D. Fi e , Pati 0. dlr rck Johnson,BaslE.Pr ft,a Fer t i of it nd man W .W erz, sDef tA endant not i t rBrefi Supportof s e n hei i n M oton t D imi s M e calM ut lls sPa rck J t a a Gr A pl ntf .ECF N o.9,a 5 i o s s , di ua it t i ohnson s oup ai if t n. However Pari Johnson' cl ms ar s t i l sm ia t ot Gr B pl ntf s 6. , t ck t s ai e ubsantaly i lr o her oup ai if ' cl m s s t cour wilconsderhi a Gr B pl ntf. ai , o he t l i m oup ai if 4Though al fve compl nt ale t s t e count , t Ba ,Johns on,and W e z li ai s lge he e hr e s he ker t rt compl nt alo alege count of faud and neglgence per s pr s on vi atons of t ai s s l s r i e, emied ol i he V igi a Dr ContolAct r ni ug r . t I o GPM a Cove a A pr ded t M ahi a O ' re 5I r l va pa t t polc nd r ge ovi o t s nd B i n. n e e nt r , he iy pr de t tM ed c M ut lwoul pa o behaf oft De e n s t lda a t t ovi s ha i al ua d y n l he f nda t û al m ges ha ( Dee d n s s alb c me lg ly o lg td t p y f r a I j y t wh c t e t he fn a t) h l e o e al bi ae o a o n n ur o ih h i urncea isbe us o aM e ca l i nt'ECFNo. Ex.1 a 4 tr.1 ! 2-3) ns a pple ca e f di l ncde . ' 1, , t at , ! . Th tnu Sn u y'i d fn d i t p lc a E h sc lham,me tla u s me tl e e s j r ' s e ie n he oiy s ç y ia r i p n a ng ih, na il s e o i lnes , m tonal ups t or dites , sc s ,die e o de t and whih i net r e sr s i kne s s as r ah, c s ihe e t no i e d by t l ur d.' I .a 5 tt.11 ! 2) Addii ly,G dial xpeced r ntnde he ns e ' d t a1 l, . 6 tonal ç c me i i nt' i defne i t polc as l n a t ero ,or o ison a ii ou of or i ncde ' s i d n he i y ç c, r r a m s i rsng t n e me on wiht r rng ofo fiur t r nde Pr e sonalSe vi s'l a 6 tr. ol di t he endei r al e o e r ofs i r ce .'d. t at 11 ! 4) Fi ly,S ofsi ls r c s'i defne i t polcy,i r e tpa t a 1, . nal k e sona evie ' s i d n he i n elvan r, s pr d e vi r quii t us or a i tons of s c a l a ni or i el dua s l i r ces e rng he e s pplcai pe i l e r ng nt le l kil pe f m e or whih s d ha be n pe f m e by, a I ur d i f t r nce of ror d, c houl ve e ror d n ns e n urhe a me ia o s r ia te t n o c r o pain s. .'1 . t6 (r. 1, 9 a) dc l r u gc l rame t r a e f te t . . d a a t11 ! ( ). ' I addii n t is cove a pr sons t polcy co ans nume o e l i n to o t r ge ovii , he i nt i r us xcusons t texe ha mpt c ran t e ti ypes of c am s of da es fom c r ge.M e ca M ut r le li mag r ove a di l ual e is upon t f l i f he olow ng our e us ons t a gue t t no i ur nc i pr de f r t xcl i o r ha ns a e s ovi d o he undel ngs t (ndt ,nodut t defndaie ) ryi uis a hus y o e rs s : ()da esaii outofori c ci wih a rii makei c mag rsng n onne ton t dve tsng, r tng, war ni ( e so i id)ors iiai frPro esonalSe ce ; ra tng exprs r mple olctton o f si rvi s ( dama a ii o ofo i c ci wih a unfi o de e i d) ges rsng ut r n onne ton t ny ar r c ptve a orpr c i e,a t -r t o r t a ntoft a ,co m e c ors r ce; d a tc n it us , r es r i r de m r e e vi 5The name on t Polcy i l age Gui Ther he i s m ded apeutcsPC . ECF N o.1 Ex.1at1.I i GPM i Ised i an e s m entasan i ur underCover ge B.1 at46. s it n ndor e ns ed a d. 6 1Def nt ar i uded i t de i ton of Et l ur .' I ance Polc ECF AI enda s e ncl n he fnii the ns ed ' nsur iy, No.,Ex.1a 5t r. 1, ( . l t a t11!3) 4 U) da saii outofori c mage rsng n onnecin wih a I ur sci na to t ny ns ed' rmi l a tor a I ure svi a i ofa saut ,or na e orr ulton t t c n ns d' olton ny t t e di nc eg ai ha pr de f any c i i l pe ly whehe o not t r i a c i na ovi s or rm na na t t r r he e s rmi l c r ,pr e uton,orc c i ha ge os c i onvi ton; ( da k) mage aii ou ofori c ci wih a wilul fa en, s rsng t n onne ton t ny lf , rudul t maii (ncl ng mai ous pr e uton or a e of pr es) or lcous i udi lci osc i bus oc s i e i lac soromisons i udi b no lmie t ba t y; nt ntona t s i , ncl ng ut t i t d o ter I . t7 8tr.V, !( / ( ) () k) Th Co r r fr t t e ee cuso f rp r o e o d a - a tl ! c -d , -( ). e u te es o h s x l ins o u p s s f t s Opi on a t ' r a y e l i ' t ' e i a t e l i n, t k rm i l hi ni s he t r nt xc uson, he i ptve c s xc us o ' he i i na wa ' dec ' c e us on,'a t ûi e i la t exc us on. xcl i ' nd he tnt ntona c s l i ' ' I. I A NA LY SI S A. LegalStandards Thi ca e i gove ned by Vigi a lw,a t pa te a e d ti wel- eted s s s r r ni a s he ri s gr e. i s ls tl l unde Vigi a lw t ta i ur rsd yt d e i br rt n isdut t i mniy. r r ni a ha n ns e ' ut o ef nd s oade ha t y o nde f ' ' Trns on.l .Co.v.Calbe One I m.Co. 367 F.Supp.2d 994,1 ( D.Va. a c ns ir nde , 000 E. 2005) M oes cfc ly, . r pe iial ( nde Vigni lw,a i urrs dut t deend i deemi d by a uj r r i a a n ns e ' y o f s tr ne c ombi ton of t Excusve Pladng Rul a t Potntalt Rul nai he l i e i e nd he e i iy e. Und t Exc usve Pl di Rul , an i ur r s dut t def nd i er he l i ea ng e ns e ' y o e s de em i t r ned s e y by t cai s as e td a i t t i ur d i t oll he l m s re gans he ns e n he l de l ng a ton.Unde t Pot nta iy Rul a i ur r sdut t de e m ryi c i r he e i lt e, n ns e ' y o f nd i tigee i t ee i a y p si l yt a aj d me ta an tt ei l e s rg rd f h r s n o sbit h t u g n g is h nsz d i r wilbe c r d unde t t r s o t i ur d' polc Thus t det r i l ove e r he e m f he ns e s i y. , o e m ne whe he a i ur rha a dut t def nd a i u e ag i ta s t a c t t r n ns e s y o e n ns r d a ns ui, our m us de e mi whehe a oft c ams a s red i t s tpot i l t t r ne t r ny he l i s e t n he ui entaly c e w ihi t polc s s o of c r . Thi i a co pls om t n he i y' c pe ove age s s c m i hed by c ompai ()t polc tnnsdei ng t s opeofc r ,wih ( rng a he iy e fni he c oveage t b) t c a m s a s r e ag ns t i ur a pl a i t com pl nt he l i s e t d ai t he ns ed s e ded n he ai . 5 l a 1 -01(ntr lcttonso te .Sae difrnty,i n i urrso i ton t d. t 000 i ena iai mitd) ttd fee l t ns e ' blgai o a de e i b oa r t n is oblga i t pa a a i es w he ver t co pl i a l ge f nd s r de ha t i ton o y, nd rs ne he m a nt le s f c sa cic sa es s m e ofwhih woul i pr d,f l wihi t rs cove e by a t nd r um t nc , o c d, f ove al t n he ik rd t polc ' Lenwrv.Ge I .Co. 21 Va.1 ,1 ( 978) Thus i n i urr i he iy. ' n. ns , 9 01 04 1 . , d ns e s a e ed fom isdut t def t i lr d o y whe et c xcus r t y o end he nsze nl r he ompl i ag ns t i ur d ant ai t he ns e c e ry de onsr t sno ba i upo whi h t i u e c d ber quied t i mniy t l a l m ta e ss n c he ns r r oul e r o nde f he i urd unde t polc 'Fuizv.See tvel .Co.ofAm. 61F. 238,242 ( h Ci. ns e r he iy.' s lci ns , 3d 4t r 1 .dl a co ait howe r a g ,ma be r d a prmii la lt o 995) if mpl n , ve mbiuous y ea s e sng ibiiy n at m a i g ounds a et rg ound sa e labiiy potnta l ora gua y c r by le tve r , nd ihe r tt s i lt e ily r bl ove ed t polcy, hei ur i e il t ade e e. 1 he i t ns ed s ntted o f ns ' d. ' I de e mi ng whe he an i ur rhasa dut t de e cai br hta i tt n t r ni t r ns e y o f nd l ms oug ga ns he i ur d i Vigi a t Co ts fr tse i t dee m i whehe t al ged ac f ls ns e n r ni , he ur' is t p s o tr ne t r he le t al w ihi t s ope of t i ur l e pole Tr ns on.I .Co.v.Ca i r One l m .Co. t n he c he ns aw i y. a c ns lbe nde , 3 7F.S p 2 9 4 1 0 ( D. . 0 ) l t sc s ,h De e d n saeb i gs e 6 u p. d 9 , 0 0 E. Va 20 5 . n hi ae te fn a t r en u d f r t r r e i ad i se i aleg y t i e dnz .The e aci ns undo e y f l o hei ol n m nit rng l edl ant d gs s to ubt dl al u de t i u a c p lc sc v r g p o iinf ra lnu yt wh c i u a ea pl s n r he ns rn e oiy' o e a e r v so o n t j r o ih ns rnc p i i e f rame ca i ie .'ECF No.1,Ex.1a 4 tr.1 ! 2-3) Be a et adinsf l o di l ncd nt' t at , ! . c us he o al wihi t s peoft polc M e c lM ut lwilo y ber le d ofisdut t de e t n he co he iy, di a ua l nl eive t y o f nd i a 1pos i e c a m s a i tt D e e nt f l w ihi s cii polc e l i ns fl sbl l i ga ns he f nda s a l t n pe f c i y xc us o . W he i e pr tng t s pe ofa e uson,t Supr m e Cour ofVigi a has n nt r e i he co n xcl i he e t r ni c i t krlng i apolc pur t t excudec rai e nt fom c r autoned hattla uage n iy pori o l e t n ve s r oveage ng w il be const l rued m os s r y agai tt i er' Copp v.N atonw i M ut I .Co. t t ongl ns he nsur .' i de . ns , 692 S. 2d 220,223 ( 2010 (uotng Se l v.Erel .Exc E. Va. ) q i as i ns hange 67 S. 2d 860, , 4 E. 6 8 2 ( .2 0 ).I e d,wh n itr rtn a iu u ln u g i a poiy Vign a 6 Va 0 9 ) nd e e n ep eig mbg o s a g a e n lc , r ii c t c it nty c t u i C n f vor of t t i e pr t ton w hi h gr t c r ge ours ons s e l ons r e t û a i ha nt r e a i c an s ove a r t r t n t t whi h w ihhol i.W he e t o consr to a e e ly pos i e t t a he ha ha c t ds t r w t uc i ns r qua l s bl , ha m os f vo a e t t i ur d w ilbe ado e ' l t a r bl o he ns e l pt d. d. ' l or t de e ne w he he ,as M e c M ut l a gues a 1 t c a m s i t n der o t nni t r di al ua r , l he l i n he unde l ng c pl i t f l w ihi a e l i t Cour w il co i r G r p A ryi om a n s a l t n n xc us on, he t l ns de ou c ompli sa Gr B co pl nt s pa ael ant nd oup m ai s e r t y. A. G roup A Com pl nt ai s Asdicus e a s s d bove,Gr A c pli t c ai c s a i tt De e nt oup om a n s ont n ount ga ns he f nda s fr ()ne i nc pe s ba e upon t Dee nsalge vi ai oft Vigni o : 1 glge e r e s d he fnda t le d oltons he r i a Drz Co tolAd,Va Co ej 5 13 00e sq. ()c mmo lw n gie e ( )go s t nr g . d 4.- 4 t e ' 2 o n a e l nc ; 3 r s , g ne i nc ( faud;a ( wilu vi ai oft Vigi aConsl rPr tci Ac, glge e; 4) r nd 5) lf l oltons he r ni t me oe ton t Va.Code j 59.- 96 e sq.ECF No.1,!! 1 4.I ism itn s sin,M e ca 11 t e 3-1 n t te ubmiso di l M ut e s ntaly a g t t i ow e t D e e nt no dut t def nd bec us e h ual s e i l r ues ha t s he f nda s y o e a e ac c ountf lsunde a e l i f la lt f al r n xcuson or i biiy ound i t polc n he iy. M e c l M ut l a g s t t vi a i ns of t Vi g ni D nl Contol A c ar di a ua r ue ha ol to he r i a g r t e puniha eby ci na mide norunde Va. s bl rmi l s mea r Codej5 13458a t fl wihi t 4.nd hus al t n he d rmia a t'e lso ' o n i Ar.l o t ep iy. No.1 Ex.1 a 5 tr. ' i n l cs' xcu in'f u d n t V() f h ol ECF c c , , t at I ) Ad iin l M e ia Mu u la s rsta t ecamso Dee d n s c mmo 1w V(). d t al o y, dc l t a s et h t h li f fn a t' o n a ne i nce e s taly pa t cli sofDe e n s a l ed vi a i oft Vigi a glge s en i l not he am f nda t ' leg oltons he r ni Dr Contol A c , a t r f e a1 c a m s of c m on 1 w neglge e f l w ihi ug r t nd, he e or , 1 l i om a i nc al t n e uson I j a wel ECF No.1 l s xcl i V() s l. 3.n uppor ofiscam t ti hasno dut t def t t li ha t y o end, M e c M u ua poi t t w ha i dee s t be t br d l nguage of t c i i l ac s di al t l n s o tt m o he oa a he rm na t e uson whih e ude fo c r k m a a ii outofori c xcl i c xcl s r m ove age t da ges rsng n onne ton wih ,. ci t . a I s rd' vilto o a y'ci na saue ECF No 1 Ex 1 a 8 (d.I j j. n n u e s o ain f n ' rmi l tt t. . , . t a V. ; ) Ac or ng t M e c l M ut l t ale tons c di o di a ua , he lga i neg i nce a e ' ne rca y lge r k xt i bl i i e t ne 'wih t al to f li wihi t c i i a t exc us on a t nt rwi d' t he legai ns alng t n he rm nal c s l i nd he da a s f t neglge e c am d le no s pa ae ac s gi ng rs t s r t m ge or he i nc l i d l ge a e r t t vi i e o epa a e da a . ECF No.1 a 2.Thi r a o ng i unpe s i prm a iy be a e i i ba e m ges' ' 3 t s e s ni s ruasve i rl c us t s s d on a f uly pr m i e. a t e s l pari a ,whie t ne lge e a l tons m i be G ne r c bl i e t i ' n tcul r l he g i nc lega i ght i xt i a y nt rw ned ' wih t ale tons of c i nalcond t t s doe notm e n t tno dut t de e i t he l ga i rmi uc, hi s a ha y o f nd s ti er d.As notd,i n i ur rs dut t def nd i ti r d i t r i a pos i lt rgg e e l ns e ' y o e s rgge e f he e s ny a sbiiy t ta j ha udgmenta i tt i ur wilbe covee undert tr oft i urd' gans he ns ed l rd he e ms he ns e s polc ' Trns n.l .Co. 367 F.Supp.2d a 000- (mpha i a d) Hee,t iy.' a co ns , t1 01 e ss dde . r he Gr oup A com pl i s i ude s ve a a l tons of e m on l w neglg e t t c d a nt ncl e r l lega i om a i enc ha oul gi r s t la lt f D e e nt a do no f l unde t s ope of t V igi a Dr g ve i e o i biiy or f nda s nd t al r he c he r ni u Con r A c .For i t no t Gr A c pl i s a l ge t tt Def nda s ' a l d t t ol t ns a e, he oup om a nt le ha he e nt t ie o f p o el if r (h u d ryn panit ta tee d rlse od ij cinwa a éfr p ry n om te n e lig li tf h t h piu a tr i n e to s n o f l lbel a i to oft dr a is ,nota ove by t FDA f rs h a a i a i ' a ' pplcai n he ug t sue ppr d he o uc n pplc ton. ' See e. , ECF N o. 1 Ex. 2, A ri Compli ,!205( . A dut t i or pa int y o nf m te s c. , s ts ant ( e)7 - r ga di t of -a lus of dr i f e r ng he f l be e ugs s ound no he e i t V igi a Dr Cont olA c . w r n he r ni ug r t Se Va.Codej5 13 Li s t Grup A c ant alget tt Defnda s e 4.-457. kewie,he o ompli s le ha he e nt tfie t pr ry i om Lheundel ng pl ntfq oft rs a da r asocae ûald o ope l nfr t ryi ai it he iks nd nges s itd wih t i e ton oft d ug ....'Ari Compl nt ECF No.1 Ex.2,! 205( Once t he njci he r ' ts ai , , 9. 1Foreas ofr er , t Cour ciesonl t t unde l ng com pl ntofSa a Arts. e ef ence he t t y o he ryi ai ndr i A1 ot Gr A compl nt cont n es entaly i i alegai t t A ri c I her oup ai s ai s i l dentcal l tons o he ts ompl nt ai . 8 agan,t Vigi a Dr ContolAc doe nots cii ly ma t a i y t i or ' i he r ni ug r t s pe fcal ndae k dut o nf m ' pai t a t posi eda r ofas cik dr Se Va Codej5 1 3457.I ta tens bout he sbl nge s pe t ug. e . 4.nse d, t s a l ga i a e s r g f wa d cl i s of m edi a m a pr tc a f l w ihi t he e le tons r tai ht or r a m c l l ac i e nd al t n he polc s c r i y' ove age,Be us t Gr ca e he oup A c pl i s c a n a l ga i t t i pr n om a nt ont i le tons ha , f ove t ue w o d f l wihi t polc a not unde a e us on of labiiy, M edi al r , ul a l t n he i y nd r ny xcl i i lt c M ut lhasadut t de endt De e nt i t Gr p A l ws t . ua y o f he f nda s n he ou a uis B. G roup B C om pl nt ai s M e c lM ut m a sa smia a g e a t why i ha notdut t de e t di a ual ke i lr r um nt s o t s y o fnd he G r B Com pl i s Spe fc l i c ai s t t t e c pl i t a s tt t de enda s oup a nt . cii aly, t l m ha hes om a n s s er ha f nt l e c d e e sa i ple w a r ntesr ga di t s f t e f c i nes ,a i ntt t a he xpr s nd m i d r a i e r ng he a e y, f e tve s nd de iy br o t e d u ( k r! 8 ,9 )'a d t a p an if r a o by r l d u o d fn n s f h r g Ba e ! 9 4 ' n h t litfs e s na l ei p n ee da t' e r pr e a i t t t dr gs we e s f ECF No. 13 a 22.M e c l M ut f t r e es nttons ha he u r a e. t di a ual urhe c e t tt s b e ch of wa r t cl i s a lf lw ihi t w a t e us on,8and ont nds ha he e r a r an y a m l al t n he nan y xcl i t t ne i nce c ai s i t co pl nt S e f r h no s r t ba i f r co r but hat he glge l m n he m ai s t t o t s epa a e s s or e ve y i t d i or ae a a e de nde upon t s m e a lga i m a i s nsea nc port nd r pe nt he a le tons de n uppor oft e t h br ac ofwa r nt c am s' I Thus M e c lM ut a s rs t r i no potntalt of e h ra y l i . d. ' , di a ual s e t he e s e i iy c r ge a no d y t def nd. ove a nd ut o e A ga n, M e ca M ut l s unde l ng pr m i e t t t ne i nc c a m s a e i di l ua ' ryi e s ha he glge e l i r smpl a r c z c e i a i of t br c of wa y cli i i cc a e a c os i y e ha a t rz ton he ea h nunt a ms s na ur t , s l e s utny oft Gr B Co pl i s s cr i he oup m a nt hows t si nott ca e.I pa tc a ,t Gr B hi s he s n r i ul r he oup ne i nce c m t c a n t alega i n t N ECC had a hi t y of i pr r pr c i s glge ot s ont i he l t o hat s or m ope a tce , BAs notd, t wa ant excl i excl e he n- y uson udesf om c age %damagesarsng outofori r over ç ii n c nn cin wi a e tsng mak tn wa rntn ( x e s o i id o s i tto f r o e to t dv rii , re ig, ra ig e prs r mple ) r ol a in o h ci Pr e sona Se vc s. . 'ECFNo.1 Ex.la 7(r.V, ( ). ofs i l r ie . .' , t at I ! c ) 9 i l ng a f lle t us p oper s e ii ton p a tc s Bas d o t s t underyi nc udi aitr o e r t r lza i r c i e . e n hi , he l ng pl i if a lged t t I antfs le hat he GPM de e f ndan s wer neg i nti pur hasng se oi fom t e lge n c i tr ds r NECC be a e tghe knew, o s d ha known, t is pr t wee not c us dt yj r houl ve hat t oducs r r as bl s et a i sert pa int . Se e. ,ECF No.1 Ex.3,Bake Com pli , e ona y af o dm nit o te s' e. g. ' , r a nt ! 71 9 si iary, t e u d ryng panif cam t a te I M d fn a t a td . m l l h n eli litfs li h t h GP ee d n s ce S i l a ca e e sy' whe t i elc e a c i genty nd r l s l ' n hey d e t d ompo ng phar y t pr de negl s undi mac o ovi t rm e c ne whe t y knew,ors d ha known,t tN ECC di notf l pr r hei dii s n he houl ve ha d olow ope prcie ,pr dursa saelw f t sf ma a t eofMPA. L ! 73.The e a tc s oce e nd tt a or he ae nufcur 'i ' s a lgatons a e s pa a e alegai ofne i nc t tdo no r y on t br a of a le i r e r t l tons glge e ha t el he e ch ny w a r nt ofpr e s ona s r i e t e t i h la lt ra y of s i l e v c s o s abls i biiy. A c or ngl t Co t c l es t t t s a l to of neglg nc s w a c di y, he ur onc ud ha he e lega i ns i e e ho pot i iy of c r ge a t r by ti rM e c lM ut ls o i a i n t de e t entalt ove a nd he e rgge dia ua ' blg to o f nd he Gr B l tis l oup awslt.o 9Foreas ofr fe e t Cour cie onl t t unde l ng c e e r nce he t t s y o he ryi ompl ntofChanc Ever t ai e et Baker.The Gr B compl nt of J t Pr ft and W e z cont n es entaly i i oup ai s ohnson, ofi, rt ai s i l dentcal alegatons t t Baker compl nt The Fi e com pl nt aleges a slghty dif ent count of l i o he ai . dlr ai l i l fer n gie c , li n ta teDee d nst r n gie tb c u ete fi d t u erao a l e l n e camij h t h fn a t wee e l n e a s h y al o s e sn be g g e cr wh nte d sq e ,etd ma uatrd mak td a dsl d sso MP 'ECFNo 1 ae e h y e ln d tse , n fcue , r ee , n od o e f A. ' ., Ex. Fi e Compllt !3 Thi c u , o i s tce ty ditn tfo t b e c o war ny 3, dlr an , 3. s o ntt o,s ufi in l sic r m he r a h f ra t count a t t Cour anal t Fi erCompl nt l any e ,M edi M ut has not s, nd hus he t yzes he dl ai . n vent cal ual ar gued t t Fi ercom pl nts d beteat dif enty t t ot Gr B com pl nt hat he dl ai houl r ed fer l han he her oup ai s. 1 Def da s alo a gue t t t wa r nt e uson does not a y her beca e i 0 en nt s r ha he r a y xcl i ppl e us t e udescover onl f war a i f tpr es onalSer ces' whie t wa r ntesalegedl xcl age y or r ntng or t of si vi ,' l he r a i l y m ade he e r aed not t Pr essonal Ser ces,but t goods i dent t t r elt o of i vi o nci al o hose s ces Put ervi . dif r l Def f e enty, endant alege t t underyi pl ntfs ts t hol t I s l hat he l ng ai if çeek o d he GPM D e e f ndant s labl i t r r e as sele s of goods not f any r es a i or war ant r atng t t i e n hei ol lr , or epr ent ton r y el i o he Pr e i of ssonal Ser ces t y pr ded.' ECF No. 1 a l Thus t ar vi he ovi ' 4 t 4. , hey gue, t war a y he r nt excl on does not a y her l lght oft Cour' r i t t e a e s r e neglgence usi ppl e. n i he ts ulngs hat her r epa at i cl m s ti i a dut t def ai rggerng y o end,i does notr t each t s i ue.l alo does notr hi ss t s each t is he s ue r s by Def aied endant i t r r y concer ng t amended com pli i one oft underyi s n hei epl ni he ant n he l ng cas W i t See ECF No.1 a l es, nga e. 4 t 7. 10 11 1. CO NCLUSI ON Fort f e ng r as ,t Cour c l s t tM e c lM ut lha a dut t he or goi e ons he t onc ude ha di a ua s y o d e De e nt a i tt unde l ng l uisr f r e i is Co pl nt a t ef nd f nda s gans he ryi aws t e e enc d n t m ai , nd hus GRANTS Def nda s moto t dim is ECF No.8.An a o it or s l be e nt ' in o s s , ppr pra e der hal entr t sda e ed hi y. sx l' sR . :' i ; js dyo- rl2 1 . r s J j. a f i 04 h ap , . /s f;)L ? ../ u.'za/4--. 4 a .b : . . - z , J m e C. r a s Tu k Se o U nie St t D i ti J ni r t d a es s rct udge 11

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