Dalton v. Kalispell Regional Hospital

Jack S. Dalton appeals from the grant of summary judgment in favor of Kalispell Regional Hospital by the First Judicial District Court, Lewis and Clark County. We affirm.

The following issues are presented on appeal:

1. Did the District Court err in requiring expert opinion testimony regarding standards of hospital care?

2. Did the District Court err in refusing to apply the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur?

The facts of this case relating to liability are not in dispute. Appellant Dalton was a patient of Dr. J. T. Laidlaw (Laidlaw), an orthopedic surgeon in Kalispell. Laidlaw determined that…