Preview
BHD:na IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 20TH
003.381 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR
5/17/01 CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLORIDA
GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION
SALLY SIMON, as Personal Representative of the
Estate of MICHAEL SIMON,
Plaintiff, CASE NO. 00-120 CA
VS.
= 2
ee 2
MARK ASPERILLA, M.D., MARK ASPERILLA,
MD., PA, a Florida Corporation, DALE
GREENBERG, M.D., RONALD CONSTINE, Qe
M._D., LEVY, BAKER, CONSTINE & on
oor
GREENBERG, M.D., P.A., a Florida Corporation,
eer
A =
Se eee
SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D., PRIMARY CARE Zo nN j
PHYSICIANS, INC., a Florida Corporation, mrs
NASIR KHALIDI, M.D., NASIR KHALIDI & p29
SAKINA KHALIDI, M.D., PA, a Florida = uN =35
ees0
=— oo
Corporation, and CONRAD EPPING KOERPER, cont
——0 os Ge
M.D., COLEMAN & CASTELLON, M.D., P.A., a3 re
a/kfa CHARLOTTE RADIOLOGY GROUP, and oad
BON SECOURS-ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL, a
os
Florida Corporation,
Defendants.
DEFENDANT, SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D.’S MOTION TO AMEND ANSWER
Florida Bar No. 225134
Defendant, SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D., moves the court for an order allowing him
to amend his answer in the above-captioned matter on the following grounds:
There is admissible evidence in this action as a result of which a jury could
conclude that Dr. Mauricio Castellon and Dr. Daniel Tufariello fell below the standard of care in
the interpretation of radiographic studies pertaining to Michael Simon. A copy of Defendant
SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D.’s amended answer is attached hereto as “Exhibit A.”
1
wee
DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT Law, 2012 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 — Tet. (305) 529-9910 ow
CASE NO. 00-120 CA
IT TS HEREBY CERTIFIED that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was
mailed to all counsel on the attached service list on May 17, 2001.
DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI
Attorneys for SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D.
2912 Douglas Road
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 529-9910
BY.
PENiTo H. DIAZ
2
Diaz & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 - TEL (305) 529-9910
Re: Simon v. Samuel Estepa, M.D.
Our File No.: 003.381
LIST OF COUNSEL
MR. THOMAS A. CULMO
Law Offices of Culmo & Culmo, P.A.
2400 South Dixie Highway, Suite 100
Miami, FL 33133
PH: (305) 856-4004
FAX: (305) 854-5445
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
MR. DENNIS A. KOLTUN
Koltun & Lazar, P.A.
7101 S.W. 102nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33173
PH: (305) 595-6791
FAX: (305) 595-5400
CO-COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF
MR. LYNN H. GROSECLOSE
Thompson Goodis Thompson Groseclose & Richardson
P.O. Box 730
Bradenton, FL 34206
PH: (941) 741-8300
FAX: (941) 741-8355
ATTORNEY FOR MARK ASPERILLA, M.D. and MARK ASPERILLA, M.D.,
PA.
MR. JOHN C. HAMILTON
Wicker, Smith, Tutan, et al.
100 North Tampa Street, Suite 3650
Tampa, FL 33602
PH: (813) 222-3939
FAX: (813) 222-3938
ATTORNEY FOR NASIR KHALIDI, M.D., and NASIR KHALIDI & SAKINA
KHALIDI, M.D., P.A.
MR. CRAIG STEVENS
George, Hartz, Lundeen, Flagg & Fulmer
2000 Main Street, Suite 402
Ft. Myers, FL 33901
PH: (941) 337-7787
FAX: (941) 337-4303
ATTORNEY FOR DALE GREENBERG, M.D., RONALD CONSTINE, MLD., and
LEVY, BAKER, CONSTINE & GREENBERG, M.D., P.A.
DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW. 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 3314 - TEL (305) 529-9910
MR. EUGENE SMITH
Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.
P.O. Box 280
Ft. Myers, FL 33902-0280
PH: (941) 334-4121
FAX: (941) 334-4100
ATTORNEY FOR ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL
MR. RAYMOND A. REISER
Raymond A. Reiser & Associates, P.A.
SunTrust International Center, Suite 1860
One S.E. Third Avenue
Miami, FL 33131
PH: (305) 379-5316
FAX: (305) 379-6917
ATTORNEY FOR CONRAD EPPING KOERPER, M.D.
MR. CLIFFORD L. SOMERS
Barr, Murman & Tonelli, P.A.
201 East Kennedy Boulevard, #1750
Tampa, FL 33602
PH: (813) 223-3951
FAX: (813) 229-2254
ATTORNEY FOR COLEMAN & CASTELLON
MR. BENITO H. DIAZ
Diaz & Morel-Saruski
2912 Douglas Road
Coral Gables, FL 33134
PH: (305) 529-9910
FAX: (305) 529-9913
ATTORNEY FOR SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D.
DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 - TRL (305) 529-9910
BHD:na IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 20TH
003.381 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR
S/L7/01 CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLORIDA
GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION
SALLY SIMON, as Personal Representative of the
Estate of MICHAEL SIMON,
Plaintiff, CASE NO. 00-120 CA
vs.
MARK ASPERILLA, M.D., MARK ASPERILLA,
MD., PA, a Florida Corporation, DALE
GREENBERG, M.D. RONALD CONSTINE,
M.D., LEVY, BAKER, CONSTINE &
GREENBERG, M.D., P.A., a Florida Corporation,
SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D., PRIMARY CARE
PHYSICIANS, INC., a Florida Corporation,
NASIR KHALIDI, M.D., NASIR KHALIDI &
SAKINA KHALIDI, M.D., P.A., a Florida
Corporation, and CONRAD EPPING KOERPER,
M.D., COLEMAN & CASTELLON, M.D., P.A.,
a/k/a CHARLOTTE RADIOLOGY GROUP, and
BON SECOURS-ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL, a
Florida Corporation,
Defendants.
PROPOSED AMENDED ANSWER, AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES, AND REQUEST FOR
JURY TRIAL OF DEFENDANT SAMUEL V. ESTEPA, M.D., TO PLAINTIFF’S
AMENDED COMPLAINT
Florida Bar No. 225134
Defendant, SAMUEL V. ESTEPA, M.D., answers Plaintiffs Amended.
Complaint as follows:
1 Defendant denies each and every allegation that he has not specifically
admitted.
2. Defendant admits that he is a physician licensed to practice medicine in
the State of Florida.
1
DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSK!, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 — TEL (305) 529-9910
EXHIBIT A
CASE NO. 00-120 CA
3 Defendant denies the occurrence of any negligence, but if any negligence
occurred, it resulted from the acts or omissions of other persons over whom this Defendant had
no dominion or control. At present these may include MARK ASPERILLA, M.D., MARK
ASPERILLA, M.D., P.A., DALE GREENBERG, M.D., RONALD CONSTINE, M.D., LEVY,
BAKER, CONSTINE & GREENBERG, M.D., P.A.. THOMAS K. WANZY, M.D., THOMAS
K. WANZY, M.D., P.A.. BALAN K. NANDIGAM, M.D., CHARLOTTE MEDICAL
ASSOCIATES, P.A., MOIDEN MOOPEN, M.D., MOIDEN MOOPEN, M.D., P.A. CARLOS
E. MAAS, M.D., CARLOS E. MAAS, M.D., P.A., NASIR KHALIDI, M.D., NASIR KHALIDI
& SAKINA KHALIDI, M.D., P.A., ST. JOSEPH’S EMERGENCY MEDICAL PHYSICIANS,
FRANK COLUNGA, M.D., CHRIS MICHELSON, M.D., CONRAD KOERPER, M.D.,
COLEMAN & CASTELLON, M.D., P.A., and BON SECOURS ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL,
which are other defendants in this case and their employees, which according to Plaintiff's
allegations, were guilty of negligence. This Defendant reserves the right to ask that their names
and the names of any of their employees appear on the verdict form.
4 Defendant denies the occurrence of any negligence, but if any negligence
occurred, it resulted from the acts or omissions of other persons over whom this Defendant had
no dominion or control, and who are not parties to this action. At present these may include
MAURICIO CASTELLON, M.D. and DANIEL TUFARIELLO, M.D. This Defendant reserves
the right to ask that their names appear on the verdict form.
5 Defendant specifically denies every allegation of negligence or proximate
cause against him.
6 The alleged injuries to Plaintiff, if any, were within the necessary or
reasonably foreseeable results of the surgical, medicinal, or diagnostic procedures constituting
the medical intervention from which the alleged injuries resulted, and this Defendant has no
liability pursuant to Section 766.102(3)(a) of the Florida Statutes.
7. Defendant denies liability, but in the event of a verdict against him, he is
entitled to a set-off for any benefits paid or payable from collateral sources to Plaintiff.
8 Defendant denies liability, but in the event of a verdict against him, he is
entitled to invoke the provisions of Section 768.78 of the Florida Statutes. This statutory section
allows the Defendant to make payments of any damages by periodic payments.
2
DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CoRAL GABLES, FL 33134 - TEL (305) 529-9910
CASE NO. 00-120 CA
9. Defendant denies liability, but in the event of a verdict against him, his
negligence, if any, must be compared subject to the provisions of Section 768.81 of the Florida
Statutes. Since Plaintiff has sued more than one Defendant, when the case is submitted to the
jury, the jury will have to determine the percentage of fault of all parties whose name appear on
the verdict form. If a jury finds Plaintiff to be at fault, Sections 768.81(2)(3a) will apply. If
Plaintiff is found to be without fault, then Section 768.81(2)(3b) will apply.
10. Plaintiff and decedent were negligent, and their negligence caused or
contributed to the death, thus precluding Plaintiff from making any recovery, or in the
alternative, reducing the damages, if any, in proportion to the negligence.
11. Defendant is not liable because of the provisions in Section 766.102(5) of
the Florida Statutes. Defendant acted at all times in good faith and with good due regard for the
prevailing professional standard of care.
12. This action is barred by the applicable Statute of Limitations.
DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
Defendant demands a jury trial of all issues triable by jury.
IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was
mailed to alf counsel on the attached service list on
DIAZ & MOREL SARUSKI
Attorneys for SAMUEL V. ESTEPA, M.D.
2912 Douglas Road
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 529-9910
BY.
BENITO H. DIAZ
3
Diaz & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 — TEL (305) 529-9910
Preview
BHD:na IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 20TH 003.381 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR 5/17/01 CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION SALLY SIMON, as Personal Representative of the Estate of MICHAEL SIMON, Plaintiff, CASE NO. 00-120 CA VS. = 2 ee 2 MARK ASPERILLA, M.D., MARK ASPERILLA, MD., PA, a Florida Corporation, DALE GREENBERG, M.D., RONALD CONSTINE, Qe M._D., LEVY, BAKER, CONSTINE & on oor GREENBERG, M.D., P.A., a Florida Corporation, eer A = Se eee SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D., PRIMARY CARE Zo nN j PHYSICIANS, INC., a Florida Corporation, mrs NASIR KHALIDI, M.D., NASIR KHALIDI & p29 SAKINA KHALIDI, M.D., PA, a Florida = uN =35 ees0 =— oo Corporation, and CONRAD EPPING KOERPER, cont ——0 os Ge M.D., COLEMAN & CASTELLON, M.D., P.A., a3 re a/kfa CHARLOTTE RADIOLOGY GROUP, and oad BON SECOURS-ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL, a os Florida Corporation, Defendants. DEFENDANT, SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D.’S MOTION TO AMEND ANSWER Florida Bar No. 225134 Defendant, SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D., moves the court for an order allowing him to amend his answer in the above-captioned matter on the following grounds: There is admissible evidence in this action as a result of which a jury could conclude that Dr. Mauricio Castellon and Dr. Daniel Tufariello fell below the standard of care in the interpretation of radiographic studies pertaining to Michael Simon. A copy of Defendant SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D.’s amended answer is attached hereto as “Exhibit A.” 1 wee DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT Law, 2012 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 — Tet. (305) 529-9910 ow CASE NO. 00-120 CA IT TS HEREBY CERTIFIED that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was mailed to all counsel on the attached service list on May 17, 2001. DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI Attorneys for SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D. 2912 Douglas Road Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 529-9910 BY. PENiTo H. DIAZ 2 Diaz & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 - TEL (305) 529-9910 Re: Simon v. Samuel Estepa, M.D. Our File No.: 003.381 LIST OF COUNSEL MR. THOMAS A. CULMO Law Offices of Culmo & Culmo, P.A. 2400 South Dixie Highway, Suite 100 Miami, FL 33133 PH: (305) 856-4004 FAX: (305) 854-5445 ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF MR. DENNIS A. KOLTUN Koltun & Lazar, P.A. 7101 S.W. 102nd Avenue Miami, FL 33173 PH: (305) 595-6791 FAX: (305) 595-5400 CO-COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFF MR. LYNN H. GROSECLOSE Thompson Goodis Thompson Groseclose & Richardson P.O. Box 730 Bradenton, FL 34206 PH: (941) 741-8300 FAX: (941) 741-8355 ATTORNEY FOR MARK ASPERILLA, M.D. and MARK ASPERILLA, M.D., PA. MR. JOHN C. HAMILTON Wicker, Smith, Tutan, et al. 100 North Tampa Street, Suite 3650 Tampa, FL 33602 PH: (813) 222-3939 FAX: (813) 222-3938 ATTORNEY FOR NASIR KHALIDI, M.D., and NASIR KHALIDI & SAKINA KHALIDI, M.D., P.A. MR. CRAIG STEVENS George, Hartz, Lundeen, Flagg & Fulmer 2000 Main Street, Suite 402 Ft. Myers, FL 33901 PH: (941) 337-7787 FAX: (941) 337-4303 ATTORNEY FOR DALE GREENBERG, M.D., RONALD CONSTINE, MLD., and LEVY, BAKER, CONSTINE & GREENBERG, M.D., P.A. DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW. 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 3314 - TEL (305) 529-9910 MR. EUGENE SMITH Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. P.O. Box 280 Ft. Myers, FL 33902-0280 PH: (941) 334-4121 FAX: (941) 334-4100 ATTORNEY FOR ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL MR. RAYMOND A. REISER Raymond A. Reiser & Associates, P.A. SunTrust International Center, Suite 1860 One S.E. Third Avenue Miami, FL 33131 PH: (305) 379-5316 FAX: (305) 379-6917 ATTORNEY FOR CONRAD EPPING KOERPER, M.D. MR. CLIFFORD L. SOMERS Barr, Murman & Tonelli, P.A. 201 East Kennedy Boulevard, #1750 Tampa, FL 33602 PH: (813) 223-3951 FAX: (813) 229-2254 ATTORNEY FOR COLEMAN & CASTELLON MR. BENITO H. DIAZ Diaz & Morel-Saruski 2912 Douglas Road Coral Gables, FL 33134 PH: (305) 529-9910 FAX: (305) 529-9913 ATTORNEY FOR SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D. DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 - TRL (305) 529-9910 BHD:na IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 20TH 003.381 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR S/L7/01 CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION SALLY SIMON, as Personal Representative of the Estate of MICHAEL SIMON, Plaintiff, CASE NO. 00-120 CA vs. MARK ASPERILLA, M.D., MARK ASPERILLA, MD., PA, a Florida Corporation, DALE GREENBERG, M.D. RONALD CONSTINE, M.D., LEVY, BAKER, CONSTINE & GREENBERG, M.D., P.A., a Florida Corporation, SAMUEL ESTEPA, M.D., PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS, INC., a Florida Corporation, NASIR KHALIDI, M.D., NASIR KHALIDI & SAKINA KHALIDI, M.D., P.A., a Florida Corporation, and CONRAD EPPING KOERPER, M.D., COLEMAN & CASTELLON, M.D., P.A., a/k/a CHARLOTTE RADIOLOGY GROUP, and BON SECOURS-ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL, a Florida Corporation, Defendants. PROPOSED AMENDED ANSWER, AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES, AND REQUEST FOR JURY TRIAL OF DEFENDANT SAMUEL V. ESTEPA, M.D., TO PLAINTIFF’S AMENDED COMPLAINT Florida Bar No. 225134 Defendant, SAMUEL V. ESTEPA, M.D., answers Plaintiffs Amended. Complaint as follows: 1 Defendant denies each and every allegation that he has not specifically admitted. 2. Defendant admits that he is a physician licensed to practice medicine in the State of Florida. 1 DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSK!, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 — TEL (305) 529-9910 EXHIBIT A CASE NO. 00-120 CA 3 Defendant denies the occurrence of any negligence, but if any negligence occurred, it resulted from the acts or omissions of other persons over whom this Defendant had no dominion or control. At present these may include MARK ASPERILLA, M.D., MARK ASPERILLA, M.D., P.A., DALE GREENBERG, M.D., RONALD CONSTINE, M.D., LEVY, BAKER, CONSTINE & GREENBERG, M.D., P.A.. THOMAS K. WANZY, M.D., THOMAS K. WANZY, M.D., P.A.. BALAN K. NANDIGAM, M.D., CHARLOTTE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, P.A., MOIDEN MOOPEN, M.D., MOIDEN MOOPEN, M.D., P.A. CARLOS E. MAAS, M.D., CARLOS E. MAAS, M.D., P.A., NASIR KHALIDI, M.D., NASIR KHALIDI & SAKINA KHALIDI, M.D., P.A., ST. JOSEPH’S EMERGENCY MEDICAL PHYSICIANS, FRANK COLUNGA, M.D., CHRIS MICHELSON, M.D., CONRAD KOERPER, M.D., COLEMAN & CASTELLON, M.D., P.A., and BON SECOURS ST. JOSEPH HOSPITAL, which are other defendants in this case and their employees, which according to Plaintiff's allegations, were guilty of negligence. This Defendant reserves the right to ask that their names and the names of any of their employees appear on the verdict form. 4 Defendant denies the occurrence of any negligence, but if any negligence occurred, it resulted from the acts or omissions of other persons over whom this Defendant had no dominion or control, and who are not parties to this action. At present these may include MAURICIO CASTELLON, M.D. and DANIEL TUFARIELLO, M.D. This Defendant reserves the right to ask that their names appear on the verdict form. 5 Defendant specifically denies every allegation of negligence or proximate cause against him. 6 The alleged injuries to Plaintiff, if any, were within the necessary or reasonably foreseeable results of the surgical, medicinal, or diagnostic procedures constituting the medical intervention from which the alleged injuries resulted, and this Defendant has no liability pursuant to Section 766.102(3)(a) of the Florida Statutes. 7. Defendant denies liability, but in the event of a verdict against him, he is entitled to a set-off for any benefits paid or payable from collateral sources to Plaintiff. 8 Defendant denies liability, but in the event of a verdict against him, he is entitled to invoke the provisions of Section 768.78 of the Florida Statutes. This statutory section allows the Defendant to make payments of any damages by periodic payments. 2 DIAZ & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CoRAL GABLES, FL 33134 - TEL (305) 529-9910 CASE NO. 00-120 CA 9. Defendant denies liability, but in the event of a verdict against him, his negligence, if any, must be compared subject to the provisions of Section 768.81 of the Florida Statutes. Since Plaintiff has sued more than one Defendant, when the case is submitted to the jury, the jury will have to determine the percentage of fault of all parties whose name appear on the verdict form. If a jury finds Plaintiff to be at fault, Sections 768.81(2)(3a) will apply. If Plaintiff is found to be without fault, then Section 768.81(2)(3b) will apply. 10. Plaintiff and decedent were negligent, and their negligence caused or contributed to the death, thus precluding Plaintiff from making any recovery, or in the alternative, reducing the damages, if any, in proportion to the negligence. 11. Defendant is not liable because of the provisions in Section 766.102(5) of the Florida Statutes. Defendant acted at all times in good faith and with good due regard for the prevailing professional standard of care. 12. This action is barred by the applicable Statute of Limitations. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL Defendant demands a jury trial of all issues triable by jury. IT IS HEREBY CERTIFIED that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was mailed to alf counsel on the attached service list on DIAZ & MOREL SARUSKI Attorneys for SAMUEL V. ESTEPA, M.D. 2912 Douglas Road Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 529-9910 BY. BENITO H. DIAZ 3 Diaz & MOREL-SARUSKI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 2912 DOUGLAS ROAD, CORAL GABLES, FL 33134 — TEL (305) 529-9910