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Kirkland v. Blaine County Medical Center6/29/2000
IN THE MATTER OF THE ORDER CERTIFYING QUESTIONS OF LAW.
2000 Opinion No. 57
Boise, March 2000 Term
Frederick C. Lyon, Clerk
The United States District Court for the District of Idaho, the Hon. Edward J. Lodge, Federal District Judge, presiding, certified a question to the Idaho Supreme Court.
A question of law was certified from the United States District Court for the District of Idaho. The Idaho Supreme Court held I.C. § 6-1603 does not violate the right to jury trial guaranteed by the Idaho Constitution, does not constitute special legislation in violation of the Idaho Constitution, and does not violate the separation of powers doctrine embodied in the Idaho Constitution.
This appeal arises from a request for certification of issues from the Federal District Court for the District of Idaho, the Honorable Edward J. Lodge, in a diversity case tried under Idaho law. Respondents argue I.C. § 6-1603 violates the Idaho Constitution because it infringes on the plaintiffs' right to trial by jury, constitutes special legislation, and violates the separation of powers doctrine. Appellants contend I.C. § 6-1603 is constitutional and should be applied to limit the liability of the defendants in this case. We accepted certification, established a briefing schedule, and set the case for oral argument. We now answer the certified question and, for the reasons set forth below, hold I.C. § 6-1603 is constitutional under the Idaho Constitution.
I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
This case arises from a medical malpractice case tried in federal district court under Idaho law. The plaintiffs (collectively "the Kirklands"), Sandy and Quinn Kirkland, brought the action on their own behalf, and on behalf of their son, Bryce Kirkland, against Wood River Medical Center and Dr. Ian Ross Donald (collectively "WRMC") seeking recovery for injuries to Bryce arising out of the medical care provided to Sandy Kirkland at Wood River Medical Center. At trial, the jury returned a total verdict of $29,715,077, including $11,215,077 in economic damages and $15,000,000 in non-economic damages in favor of Bryce Kirkland. The award also included another $3,500,000 in non-economic damages in favor of Sandy and Quinn Kirkland. The jury apportioned 25% of the responsibility for Bryce's injuries to the Wood River Medical Center, and 75% to Dr. Donald.
After trial, the Kirklands filed a motion asking the federal district judge to declare I.C. § 6-1603 unconstitutional under the Idaho Constitution. I.C. § 6-1603 provides:
(1) In no action seeking damages for personal injury , including death, shall a judgment for non-economic damages be entered for a claimant exceeding the maximum amount of four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000); provided, however, that beginning on July 1, 1988, and each July 1 thereafter, the cap on non-economic damages established in this section shall increase or decrease in accordance with the percentage amount of increase or decrease by which the Idaho industrial commission adjusts the average annual wage as computed pursuant to section 72-409(2), Idaho Code.
(2) The limitation contained in this section applies to the sum of: (a) non-economic damages sustained by a claimant who incurred personal injury or who is asserting a wrongful death; (b) non-economic damages sustained by a claimant, regardless of the number of persons responsible for the damages or the number of actions filed.
(3) If a case is tried to a jury, the jury shall not be informed of the limitation contained in subsection (1) of this section.
(4) The limitation of awards of non-economic
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