Legal Opinion
Zeier v. Zimmer, Inc.
Supreme Court of Oklahoma
Decided December 19, 2006No. 102,472PublishedCited by 86 opinions
1Opinion of the CourtWatt, C.J.
T1 A single dispositive issue is presented on appeal: whether the affidavit of merit1 requirement of 63 O.S. Supp2008 § 1-1708.1E2 * is constitutional. We determine *863that the statute is an unconstitutional special law prohibited by the Oklahoma Constitution art. 5, § 46.3 Furthermore, we hold that the requirement that a medical malpractice claimant obtain a professional's opinion that the cause is meritorious at a cost of between $500.00 and $5,000.00 4 creates an unconstitutional monetary barrier to court access guaranteed by art. 2, § 6 of the Oklahoma Constitution.5
FACTS
12 On August 9,…
2Cases cited116 opinions
- Michigan v. LongSupreme Court of the United States · 1983
- Davis v. PassmanSupreme Court of the United States · 1979
- PruneYard Shopping Center v. RobinsSupreme Court of the United States · 1980
- Lindsey v. NormetSupreme Court of the United States · 1972
- Jernigan v. LangleyTexas Supreme Court · 2003
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3Cited by86 opinions
- Spencer v. Oklahoma Gas & Electric Co.Supreme Court of Oklahoma · 2007
- LEE v. BUENOSupreme Court of Oklahoma · 2016
- Douglas v. Cox Retirement Properties, Inc.Supreme Court of Oklahoma · 2013
- Glasco v. State ex rel. Oklahoma Department of CorrectionsSupreme Court of Oklahoma · 2008
- Thomas v. HenrySupreme Court of Oklahoma · 2011
81 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.