{ "attribution": { "source": "legal.exploreworldai.com", "canonical": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24", "cite_as": "NovaCopilot, legal.exploreworldai.com (https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24)", "license": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/revision", "version": "legal-2026-10-15", "fingerprint": "ewai:us:5413c6", "proof": "sha256:da3893ebd04d39ad89c1954cc0bfd9bd46fcedcdf1f3eef04eb211dc9fb5b548", "jurisdiction": "us", "lang": "en", "publisher": "NovaCopilot by ExploreWorld Legal", "terms": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/om" }, "brand_source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "item": { "schema_version": "1.0.0", "id": "us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24", "jurisdiction": "us", "lang": "en", "brand_source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "brand": { "product": "NovaCopilot", "platform": "ExploreWorldAI", "infrastructure": "ExploreWorld Legal", "infrastructure_url": "legal.exploreworldai.com", "legal_entity": "Valkiv Ventures AB", "permanent_url": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/novacopilot", "source": "Source: NovaCopilot", "powered_by": "Powered by NovaCopilot", "license": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/licensvillkor" }, "sections": [ { "title": "Front matter", "paragraphs": [ "para_1", "para_2", "para_3", "para_4", "para_5", "para_6", "para_7", "para_8", "para_9", "para_10", "para_11", "para_12", "para_13", "para_14", "para_15", "para_16", "para_17", "para_18", "para_19", "para_20", "para_21", "para_22", "para_23", "para_24", "para_25", "para_26", "para_27", "para_28", "para_29", "para_30", "para_31", "para_32", "para_33", "para_34", "para_35", "para_36", "para_37", "para_38", "para_39", "para_40", "para_41", "para_42", "para_43", "para_44", "para_45", "para_46", "para_47", "para_48", "para_49", "para_50", "para_51", "para_52", "para_53", "para_54", "para_55", "para_56", "para_57", "para_58", "para_59", "para_60", "para_61", "para_62", "para_63", "para_64", "para_65", "para_66", "para_67", "para_68", "para_69", "para_70", "para_71", "para_72", "para_73", "para_74", "para_75", "para_76", "para_77", "para_78", "para_79", "para_80", "para_81", "para_82", "para_83", "para_84", "para_85", "para_86", "para_87", "para_88", "para_89", "para_90", "para_91", "para_92", "para_93", "para_94", "para_95", "para_96", "para_97", "para_98", "para_99", "para_100", "para_101", "para_102", "para_103", "para_104", "para_105", "para_106", "para_107", "para_108", "para_109", "para_110", "para_111", "para_112", "para_113", "para_114", "para_115", "para_116", "para_117", "para_118", "para_119", "para_120", "para_121", "para_122", "para_123", "para_124", "para_125", "para_126", "para_127", "para_128", "para_129", "para_130", "para_131", "para_132", "para_133", "para_134", "para_135", "para_136", "para_137", "para_138", "para_139", "para_140", "para_141", "para_142", "para_143", "para_144", "para_145", "para_146", "para_147", "para_148", "para_149", "para_150", "para_151", "para_152", "para_153", "para_154", "para_155", "para_156", "para_157", "para_158", "para_159", "para_160", "para_161", "para_162", "para_163", "para_164", "para_165", "para_166", "para_167", "para_168", "para_169", "para_170", "para_171", "para_172", "para_173", "para_174", "para_175", "para_176", "para_177", "para_178", "para_179", "para_180", "para_181", "para_182", "para_183", "para_184", "para_185", "para_186", "para_187", "para_188", "para_189", "para_190", "para_191", "para_192", "para_193", "para_194", "para_195", "para_196", "para_197", "para_198", "para_199", "para_200", "para_201", "para_202", "para_203", "para_204", "para_205", "para_206", "para_207", "para_208", "para_209", "para_210", "para_211", "para_212", "para_213", "para_214", "para_215", "para_216", "para_217", "para_218", "para_219", "para_220", "para_221", "para_222", "para_223", "para_224", "para_225", "para_226", "para_227", "para_228", "para_229", "para_230", "para_231", "para_232", "para_233", "para_234", "para_235", "para_236", "para_237", "para_238", "para_239", "para_240", "para_241", "para_242", "para_243", "para_244", "para_245", "para_246", "para_247", "para_248", "para_249", "para_250", "para_251", "para_252", "para_253", "para_254", "para_255", "para_256", "para_257", "para_258", "para_259", "para_260", "para_261", "para_262", "para_263", "para_264", "para_265", "para_266", "para_267", "para_268", "para_269", "para_270", "para_271", "para_272", "para_273", "para_274", "para_275", "para_276", "para_277", "para_278", "para_279", "para_280", "para_281", "para_282", "para_283", "para_284", "para_285", "para_286", "para_287", "para_288", "para_289", "para_290", "para_291", "para_292", "para_293", "para_294", "para_295", "para_296", "para_297", "para_298", "para_299", "para_300", "para_301", "para_302", "para_303", "para_304", "para_305", "para_306", "para_307", "para_308", "para_309", "para_310", "para_311", "para_312", "para_313", "para_314", "para_315", "para_316", "para_317", "para_318", "para_319", "para_320", "para_321", "para_322", "para_323", "para_324", "para_325", "para_326", "para_327", "para_328", "para_329", "para_330", "para_331", "para_332", "para_333", "para_334", "para_335", "para_336", "para_337", "para_338", "para_339", "para_340", "para_341", "para_342", "para_343", "para_344", "para_345", "para_346", "para_347", "para_348", "para_349", "para_350", "para_351", "para_352", "para_353", "para_354", "para_355", "para_356", "para_357", "para_358", "para_359", "para_360", "para_361", "para_362", "para_363", "para_364", "para_365", "para_366", "para_367", "para_368", "para_369", "para_370", "para_371", "para_372", "para_373", "para_374", "para_375", "para_376", "para_377", "para_378", "para_379", "para_380", "para_381", "para_382", "para_383", "para_384", "para_385", "para_386", "para_387", "para_388", "para_389", "para_390", "para_391", "para_392", "para_393", "para_394", "para_395", "para_396", "para_397", "para_398", "para_399", "para_400", "para_401", "para_402", "para_403", "para_404", "para_405", "para_406", "para_407", "para_408", "para_409", "para_410", "para_411", "para_412", "para_413", "para_414", "para_415", "para_416", "para_417", "para_418", "para_419", "para_420", "para_421", "para_422", "para_423", "para_424", "para_425", "para_426", "para_427", "para_428", "para_429", "para_430", "para_431", "para_432", "para_433", "para_434", "para_435", "para_436", "para_437", "para_438", "para_439", "para_440", "para_441", "para_442", "para_443", "para_444", "para_445", "para_446", "para_447", "para_448", "para_449", "para_450", "para_451", "para_452", "para_453", "para_454", "para_455", "para_456", "para_457", "para_458", "para_459", "para_460", "para_461", "para_462", "para_463", "para_464", "para_465", "para_466", "para_467", "para_468", "para_469", "para_470", "para_471", "para_472", "para_473", "para_474", "para_475", "para_476", "para_477", "para_478", "para_479", "para_480", "para_481", "para_482", "para_483", "para_484", "para_485", "para_486", "para_487", "para_488", "para_489", "para_490", "para_491", "para_492", "para_493", "para_494", "para_495" ], "kind": "front_matter" } ], "paragraphs": [ { "text": "RENDERED: APRIL 24, 2026; 10:00 A.M.", "paragraph_id": "para_1" }, { "text": "TO BE PUBLISHED", "paragraph_id": "para_2" }, { "text": "Commonwealth of Kentucky", "paragraph_id": "para_3" }, { "text": "Court of Appeals", "paragraph_id": "para_4" }, { "text": "NO. 2024-CA-0798-MR", "paragraph_id": "para_5" }, { "text": "CVS PHARMACY, INC. APPELLANT", "paragraph_id": "para_6" }, { "text": "v.", "paragraph_id": "para_7" }, { "text": "APPEAL FROM PERRY CIRCUIT COURT", "paragraph_id": "para_8" }, { "text": "HONORABLE ALISON C. WELLS, JUDGE", "paragraph_id": "para_9" }, { "text": "ACTION NO. 15-CI-00115", "paragraph_id": "para_10" }, { "text": "JAMES DUSTIN CHANEY, D.O. AND", "paragraph_id": "para_11" }, { "text": "RITE AID OF KENTUCKY, INC. APPELLEES", "paragraph_id": "para_12" }, { "text": "AND", "paragraph_id": "para_13" }, { "text": "NO. 2024-CA-0962-MR", "paragraph_id": "para_14" }, { "text": "JAMES DUSTIN CHANEY CROSS-APPELLANT", "paragraph_id": "para_15" }, { "text": "v.", "paragraph_id": "para_16" }, { "text": "CROSS-APPEAL FROM PERRY CIRCUIT COURT", "paragraph_id": "para_17" }, { "text": "HONORABLE ALISON C. WELLS, JUDGE", "paragraph_id": "para_18" }, { "text": "ACTION NO. 15-CI-00115", "paragraph_id": "para_19" }, { "text": "CVS PHARMACY, INC. CROSS-APPELLEE", "paragraph_id": "para_20" }, { "text": "-2-", "paragraph_id": "para_21" }, { "text": "OPINION", "paragraph_id": "para_22" }, { "text": "REVERSING AND REMANDING", "paragraph_id": "para_23" }, { "text": "AS TO APPEAL NO. 2024-CA-0798-MR", "paragraph_id": "para_24" }, { "text": "AND DISMISSING", "paragraph_id": "para_25" }, { "text": "AS TO CROSS-APPEAL NO. 2024-CA-0962-MR", "paragraph_id": "para_26" }, { "text": "** ** ** ** **", "paragraph_id": "para_27" }, { "text": "BEFORE: CETRULO, L. JONES, AND MCNEILL, JUDGES.", "paragraph_id": "para_28" }, { "text": "MCNEILL, JUDGE: Following a jury trial in which the jury found in favor of", "paragraph_id": "para_29" }, { "text": "James Dustin Chaney, D.O. (“Chaney”) on his negligence and false light claims", "paragraph_id": "para_30" }, { "text": "against CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (“CVS”), the Perry Circuit Court entered a judgment", "paragraph_id": "para_31" }, { "text": "against CVS in the amount of $7,560,000.00, which was later reduced to", "paragraph_id": "para_32" }, { "text": "$2,160,000.00. CVS appeals, arguing it was entitled to a directed verdict on", "paragraph_id": "para_33" }, { "text": "Chaney’s claims. Chaney cross-appeals the reduction of his damage award.", "paragraph_id": "para_34" }, { "text": "Because we find that the trial court erred in denying CVS’s motion for a directed", "paragraph_id": "para_35" }, { "text": "verdict, we reverse the circuit court’s judgment and dismiss Chaney’s cross-appeal", "paragraph_id": "para_36" }, { "text": "as moot.", "paragraph_id": "para_37" }, { "text": "BACKGROUND", "paragraph_id": "para_38" }, { "text": "Chaney is a former practicing physician from Eastern Kentucky. In", "paragraph_id": "para_39" }, { "text": "2011, the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure (“KBML”) began investigating", "paragraph_id": "para_40" }, { "text": "Chaney’s prescribing habits for controlled substances. Based upon Chaney’s", "paragraph_id": "para_41" }, { "text": "-3-", "paragraph_id": "para_42" }, { "text": "KASPER1 data, KBML pharmacy consultant Chris Johnson identified sixteen of", "paragraph_id": "para_43" }, { "text": "Chaney’s patients based on “age, addictive drug combinations, distance traveled to", "paragraph_id": "para_44" }, { "text": "the pharmacy, polypharmacy, duplicate refills, and similar last names” and", "paragraph_id": "para_45" }, { "text": "recommended further investigation by the KBML. A physician consultant", "paragraph_id": "para_46" }, { "text": "reviewed the sixteen patient charts and found that Chaney’s care fell below the", "paragraph_id": "para_47" }, { "text": "acceptable standard in eleven charts regarding diagnosis, in ten regarding", "paragraph_id": "para_48" }, { "text": "treatment, and in four regarding recordkeeping. The consultant also found that", "paragraph_id": "para_49" }, { "text": "Chaney had demonstrated gross negligence in ten of the patient charts reviewed.", "paragraph_id": "para_50" }, { "text": "On December 12, 2012, the KBML and Chaney entered into an agreed order,", "paragraph_id": "para_51" }, { "text": "which found that Chaney had violated KRS2 311.595 and KRS 311.597 and", "paragraph_id": "para_52" }, { "text": "required, among other things, that Chaney keep a controlled substances log and", "paragraph_id": "para_53" }, { "text": "complete further training on prescribing controlled substances.", "paragraph_id": "para_54" }, { "text": "Contemporaneous with the KBML investigation, state and federal law", "paragraph_id": "para_55" }, { "text": "enforcement were looking into Chaney’s pain management clinic, Clarion. In", "paragraph_id": "para_56" }, { "text": "2015, Chaney was federally indicted on multiple charges in connection with his", "paragraph_id": "para_57" }, { "text": "ownership of Clarion, including conspiracy to distribute and dispense controlled", "paragraph_id": "para_58" }, { "text": "substances unlawfully. Ultimately, Chaney pled guilty to one count of conspiracy", "paragraph_id": "para_59" }, { "text": "1 The Kentucky All Schedule Prescription Electronic Reporting (“KASPER”) System is an", "paragraph_id": "para_60" }, { "text": "electronic system established by Kentucky Revised Statutes (“KRS”) 218A.202 to monitor", "paragraph_id": "para_61" }, { "text": "prescriptions of controlled substances.", "paragraph_id": "para_62" }, { "text": "2 Kentucky Revised Statutes.", "paragraph_id": "para_63" }, { "text": "-4-", "paragraph_id": "para_64" }, { "text": "to commit money laundering and was sentenced to thirty months in federal prison.", "paragraph_id": "para_65" }, { "text": "Based upon his conviction, Chaney agreed to surrender his medical license in lieu", "paragraph_id": "para_66" }, { "text": "of revocation.", "paragraph_id": "para_67" }, { "text": "Amid the federal prosecution, Chaney learned that CVS had filled", "paragraph_id": "para_68" }, { "text": "prescriptions under his Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) number that he", "paragraph_id": "para_69" }, { "text": "did not write. Chaney contacted CVS and requested that they perform an audit of", "paragraph_id": "para_70" }, { "text": "all prescriptions written by Chaney and two other physicians with the same last", "paragraph_id": "para_71" }, { "text": "name, James “Ace” Chaney (Chaney’s uncle), and George Chaney (apparently", "paragraph_id": "para_72" }, { "text": "unrelated). As a result of their investigation, CVS identified 101 prescriptions that", "paragraph_id": "para_73" }, { "text": "had been falsely attributed to Chaney in KASPER.", "paragraph_id": "para_74" }, { "text": "In March of 2015, Chaney filed a lawsuit against CVS in Perry Circuit", "paragraph_id": "para_75" }, { "text": "Court, alleging that CVS was negligent in misattributing prescriptions to Chaney", "paragraph_id": "para_76" }, { "text": "written by other medical providers and then reporting those misattributions to", "paragraph_id": "para_77" }, { "text": "KASPER.3 The lawsuit further alleged that CVS’s negligence caused Chaney to", "paragraph_id": "para_78" }, { "text": "be investigated by the KBML and state and federal authorities, to be indicted, and", "paragraph_id": "para_79" }, { "text": "to lose his license. An amended complaint later added a false light claim. Chaney", "paragraph_id": "para_80" }, { "text": "sought damages for emotional pain and suffering and impairment of his ability to", "paragraph_id": "para_81" }, { "text": "earn income.", "paragraph_id": "para_82" }, { "text": "3 The lawsuit also named Rite Aid, local pharmacy R/X Discount Co., several CVS and Rite Aid", "paragraph_id": "para_83" }, { "text": "pharmacists, and some John Does.", "paragraph_id": "para_84" }, { "text": "-5-", "paragraph_id": "para_85" }, { "text": "Following a jury trial, the jury found in Chaney’s favor and awarded", "paragraph_id": "para_86" }, { "text": "$7,560,000.00 in damages, which was later reduced to $2,160,000.00. This appeal", "paragraph_id": "para_87" }, { "text": "and cross-appeal followed.", "paragraph_id": "para_88" }, { "text": "STANDARD OF REVIEW", "paragraph_id": "para_89" }, { "text": "CVS argues the trial court erred in denying their motion for a directed", "paragraph_id": "para_90" }, { "text": "verdict on Chaney’s negligence and false light claims. “Upon review of the", "paragraph_id": "para_91" }, { "text": "evidence supporting a judgment entered upon a jury verdict, the role of an", "paragraph_id": "para_92" }, { "text": "appellate court is limited to determining whether the trial court erred in failing to", "paragraph_id": "para_93" }, { "text": "grant the motion for directed verdict.” Lewis v. Bledsoe Surface Min. Co., 798", "paragraph_id": "para_94" }, { "text": "S.W.2d 459, 461 (Ky. 1990). A motion for directed verdict “raises only questions", "paragraph_id": "para_95" }, { "text": "of law as to whether there is any evidence to support a verdict.” Harris v. Cozatt,", "paragraph_id": "para_96" }, { "text": "Inc., 427 S.W.2d 574, 575 (Ky. 1968) (emphasis added). “[A] trial judge cannot", "paragraph_id": "para_97" }, { "text": "enter a directed verdict unless there is a complete absence of proof on a material", "paragraph_id": "para_98" }, { "text": "issue or if no disputed issues of fact exist upon which reasonable minds could", "paragraph_id": "para_99" }, { "text": "differ.” Bierman v. Klapheke, 967 S.W.2d 16, 18–19 (Ky. 1998) (citation", "paragraph_id": "para_100" }, { "text": "omitted).", "paragraph_id": "para_101" }, { "text": "“All evidence which favors the prevailing party must be taken as true", "paragraph_id": "para_102" }, { "text": "and . . . [t]he prevailing party is entitled to all reasonable inferences which may be", "paragraph_id": "para_103" }, { "text": "drawn from the evidence.” Lewis, 798 S.W.2d at 461. “[A] directed verdict is", "paragraph_id": "para_104" }, { "text": "appropriate where there is no evidence of probative value to support an opposite", "paragraph_id": "para_105" }, { "text": "-6-", "paragraph_id": "para_106" }, { "text": "result because [t]he jury may not be permitted to reach a verdict upon speculation", "paragraph_id": "para_107" }, { "text": "or conjecture.” Toler v. Süd–Chemie, Inc., 458 S.W.3d 276, 285 (Ky. 2014), as", "paragraph_id": "para_108" }, { "text": "corrected (Apr. 7, 2015) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Finally,", "paragraph_id": "para_109" }, { "text": "“[a]ppellate review of the trial court’s denial of a motion for directed verdict is not", "paragraph_id": "para_110" }, { "text": "limited to evaluating the reasons proffered by the trial court for its denial.”", "paragraph_id": "para_111" }, { "text": "Louisville Metro Government v. Ward, 610 S.W.3d 295, 307 (Ky. App. 2020).", "paragraph_id": "para_112" }, { "text": "“Rather, we must make our own review of the entire record to determine whether", "paragraph_id": "para_113" }, { "text": "the trial court’s ruling was clearly erroneous.” Brooks v. Lexington-Fayette Urban", "paragraph_id": "para_114" }, { "text": "Cnty. Housing Auth., 132 S.W.3d 790, 798 (Ky. 2004).", "paragraph_id": "para_115" }, { "text": "ANALYSIS", "paragraph_id": "para_116" }, { "text": "As to Chaney’s negligence claim, CVS contends it was entitled to a", "paragraph_id": "para_117" }, { "text": "directed verdict because Chaney failed to prove that its negligence was the cause of", "paragraph_id": "para_118" }, { "text": "his injuries. “The elements of a negligence claim are (1) a legally-cognizable duty,", "paragraph_id": "para_119" }, { "text": "(2) a breach of that duty, (3) causation linking the breach to an injury, and", "paragraph_id": "para_120" }, { "text": "(4) damages.” Patton v. Bickford, 529 S.W.3d 717, 729 (Ky. 2016) (citation", "paragraph_id": "para_121" }, { "text": "omitted). “The absence of proof on any one of the required elements is fatal to a", "paragraph_id": "para_122" }, { "text": "negligence claim.” Keaton v. G.C. Williams Funeral Home, Inc., 436 S.W.3d 538,", "paragraph_id": "para_123" }, { "text": "542 (Ky. App. 2013) (citing M & T Chemicals, Inc. v. Westrick, 525 S.W.2d 740,", "paragraph_id": "para_124" }, { "text": "741 (Ky. 1974)).", "paragraph_id": "para_125" }, { "text": "-7-", "paragraph_id": "para_126" }, { "text": "Traditionally, “causation [has] consist[ed] of two distinct components:", "paragraph_id": "para_127" }, { "text": "‘but-for’ causation, also referred to as causation in fact, and proximate causation.”", "paragraph_id": "para_128" }, { "text": "Patton, 529 S.W.3d at 730. “But-for causation requires the existence of a direct,", "paragraph_id": "para_129" }, { "text": "distinct, and identifiable nexus between the defendant’s breach of duty", "paragraph_id": "para_130" }, { "text": "(negligence) and the plaintiff’s damages such that the event would not have", "paragraph_id": "para_131" }, { "text": "occurred ‘but for’ the defendant’s negligent or wrongful conduct in breach of a", "paragraph_id": "para_132" }, { "text": "duty.” Id. “An act or omission is not regarded as a cause of an event if the", "paragraph_id": "para_133" }, { "text": "particular event would have occurred without it.” Id. (quoting Gross v. FBL", "paragraph_id": "para_134" }, { "text": "Financial Services, Inc., 557 U.S. 167, 176–77 (2009)).", "paragraph_id": "para_135" }, { "text": "“Proximate causation captures the notion that, although conduct in", "paragraph_id": "para_136" }, { "text": "breach of an established duty may be an actual but-for cause of the plaintiff[’s]", "paragraph_id": "para_137" }, { "text": "damages, it is nevertheless too attenuated from the damages in time, place, or", "paragraph_id": "para_138" }, { "text": "foreseeability to reasonably impose liability upon the defendant.” Id. at 731.", "paragraph_id": "para_139" }, { "text": "“Proximate cause is bottomed on public policy as a limitation on how far society is", "paragraph_id": "para_140" }, { "text": "willing to extend liability for a defendant’s actions[.]” Id. (quoting Ashley County,", "paragraph_id": "para_141" }, { "text": "Arkansas v. Pfizer, Inc., 552 F.3d 659, 671 (8th Cir. 2009)).", "paragraph_id": "para_142" }, { "text": "CVS argues that Chaney’s negligence claim fails as a matter of law", "paragraph_id": "para_143" }, { "text": "because both components are absent here. We confine our analysis to the “but-for”", "paragraph_id": "para_144" }, { "text": "or cause-in-fact element of causation because we believe it is dispositive. In", "paragraph_id": "para_145" }, { "text": "Kentucky, the “but-for” or cause-in-fact component of causation has been", "paragraph_id": "para_146" }, { "text": "-8-", "paragraph_id": "para_147" }, { "text": "subsumed by the “substantial factor” test in the Restatement (Second) of Torts §", "paragraph_id": "para_148" }, { "text": "431. Lewis v. B & R Corporation, 56 S.W.3d 432, 437 (Ky. App. 2001). This", "paragraph_id": "para_149" }, { "text": "section states in pertinent part that an “actor’s negligent conduct is a legal cause of", "paragraph_id": "para_150" }, { "text": "harm to another if . . . his conduct is a substantial factor in bringing about the", "paragraph_id": "para_151" }, { "text": "harm[.]” RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 431 (1965). Comment (a) to § 431", "paragraph_id": "para_152" }, { "text": "explains what is meant by “substantial factor”:", "paragraph_id": "para_153" }, { "text": "In order to be a legal cause of another’s harm, it is not", "paragraph_id": "para_154" }, { "text": "enough that the harm would not have occurred had the", "paragraph_id": "para_155" }, { "text": "actor not been negligent. . . . [T]his is necessary, but it is", "paragraph_id": "para_156" }, { "text": "not of itself sufficient. The negligence must also be", "paragraph_id": "para_157" }, { "text": "a substantial factor in bringing about the plaintiff’s", "paragraph_id": "para_158" }, { "text": "harm. The word “substantial” is used to denote the fact", "paragraph_id": "para_159" }, { "text": "that the defendant’s conduct has such an effect in", "paragraph_id": "para_160" }, { "text": "producing the harm as to lead reasonable men to regard it", "paragraph_id": "para_161" }, { "text": "as a cause, using that word in the popular sense, in which", "paragraph_id": "para_162" }, { "text": "there always lurks the idea of responsibility, rather than", "paragraph_id": "para_163" }, { "text": "in the so-called “philosophic sense,” which includes", "paragraph_id": "para_164" }, { "text": "every one of the great number of events without which", "paragraph_id": "para_165" }, { "text": "any happening would not have occurred. Each of these", "paragraph_id": "para_166" }, { "text": "events is a cause in the so-called “philosophic sense,” yet", "paragraph_id": "para_167" }, { "text": "the effect of many of them is so insignificant that no", "paragraph_id": "para_168" }, { "text": "ordinary mind would think of them as causes.", "paragraph_id": "para_169" }, { "text": "As recognized by the comment, under the “substantial factor” test, a", "paragraph_id": "para_170" }, { "text": "plaintiff must still prove that his injury would not have occurred but for", "paragraph_id": "para_171" }, { "text": "defendant’s negligence. Thus, the question of whether a defendant’s conduct was", "paragraph_id": "para_172" }, { "text": "a substantial factor in bringing about the plaintiff’s harm “does not arise if the", "paragraph_id": "para_173" }, { "text": "testimony clearly proves that the harm is from a cause other than the actor’s", "paragraph_id": "para_174" }, { "text": "negligence.” RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 431 (1965) cmt. b. “It is only", "paragraph_id": "para_175" }, { "text": "-9-", "paragraph_id": "para_176" }, { "text": "where the evidence permits a reasonable finding that the defendant’s conduct had", "paragraph_id": "para_177" }, { "text": "some effect that the question whether the effect was substantial rather than", "paragraph_id": "para_178" }, { "text": "negligible becomes important.” Id.", "paragraph_id": "para_179" }, { "text": "It is the court’s duty to determine “whether the evidence as to the facts", "paragraph_id": "para_180" }, { "text": "makes an issue upon which the jury may reasonably differ as to whether the", "paragraph_id": "para_181" }, { "text": "conduct of the defendant has been a substantial factor in causing the harm to the", "paragraph_id": "para_182" }, { "text": "plaintiff.” Pathways, Inc. v. Hammons, 113 S.W.3d 85, 92 (Ky. 2003) (quoting", "paragraph_id": "para_183" }, { "text": "RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 431(1)(a)) (internal quotation marks omitted).", "paragraph_id": "para_184" }, { "text": "If the defendant’s conduct is unrelated to plaintiff’s harm, or “when the matter", "paragraph_id": "para_185" }, { "text": "remains one of pure speculation and conjecture . . . it becomes the duty of the court", "paragraph_id": "para_186" }, { "text": "to direct a verdict for the defendant.” RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 433B", "paragraph_id": "para_187" }, { "text": "(1965) cmt. a. On appeal, the question for this Court is whether reasonable minds", "paragraph_id": "para_188" }, { "text": "could differ as to whether CVS’s misattributing controlled substance prescriptions", "paragraph_id": "para_189" }, { "text": "to Chaney was a substantial factor in causing his injuries—specifically,", "paragraph_id": "para_190" }, { "text": "investigation by the KBML and federal law enforcement, and the subsequent loss", "paragraph_id": "para_191" }, { "text": "of his medical license and imprisonment.", "paragraph_id": "para_192" }, { "text": "Here, the evidence does not support any reasonable inference that", "paragraph_id": "para_193" }, { "text": "misattributions by CVS were a substantial factor in causing Chaney’s injuries.", "paragraph_id": "para_194" }, { "text": "Regarding the KBML investigation, pharmacy consultant Chris Johnson testified", "paragraph_id": "para_195" }, { "text": "that he reviewed Chaney’s KASPER in 2011 at the KBML’s request. However, he", "paragraph_id": "para_196" }, { "text": "-10-", "paragraph_id": "para_197" }, { "text": "was unaware of any investigation into Chaney based on misattributed", "paragraph_id": "para_198" }, { "text": "prescriptions. In fact, the record is silent as to why KBML requested Johnson to", "paragraph_id": "para_199" }, { "text": "investigate Chaney. Even Chaney admitted on cross-examination that he did not", "paragraph_id": "para_200" }, { "text": "know why Johnson began his investigation, and he does not know that", "paragraph_id": "para_201" }, { "text": "misattributions led to any investigation of him by any Kentucky state authority.", "paragraph_id": "para_202" }, { "text": "KBML representative Leanne Diakov testified that its investigation", "paragraph_id": "para_203" }, { "text": "was not based on misattributions. In fact, she testified that the KBML did not even", "paragraph_id": "para_204" }, { "text": "look at Chaney’s KASPER report. Although Johnson identified sixteen patient", "paragraph_id": "para_205" }, { "text": "names from Chaney’s KASPER and referred them to the KBML for further", "paragraph_id": "para_206" }, { "text": "investigation, the KBML only looked at the medical records of the sixteen patients", "paragraph_id": "para_207" }, { "text": "when determining whether Chaney had complied with the standard of care.", "paragraph_id": "para_208" }, { "text": "While Chaney’s brief claims that he put on “more than enough", "paragraph_id": "para_209" }, { "text": "evidence for a jury to conclude that CVS harmed Chaney,” the “evidence” he cites", "paragraph_id": "para_210" }, { "text": "is problematic. He points to the testimony of his pharmacy expert, Dr. Dering-", "paragraph_id": "para_211" }, { "text": "Anderson, himself, and KBML pharmacy consultant Chris Johnson as establishing", "paragraph_id": "para_212" }, { "text": "that “CVS’s false data was input into its computer system which was then sent to", "paragraph_id": "para_213" }, { "text": "KASPER and other repositories; that those repositories flagged Chaney as a ‘top", "paragraph_id": "para_214" }, { "text": "prescriber’ of opioids based on the false data, and that Chaney was investigated as", "paragraph_id": "para_215" }, { "text": "a result of this distinction by the [KBML].”", "paragraph_id": "para_216" }, { "text": "-11-", "paragraph_id": "para_217" }, { "text": "The “other repositories” mentioned, which flagged Chaney as a “top", "paragraph_id": "para_218" }, { "text": "prescriber of opioids,” were Doximity, ProPublica, and the Center for Medicaid", "paragraph_id": "para_219" }, { "text": "Services. Chaney testified to an exhibit that he had prepared with data from these", "paragraph_id": "para_220" }, { "text": "three repositories, which suggested that he had prescribed substantially more", "paragraph_id": "para_221" }, { "text": "controlled substances than he says he did. The issue with this evidence, however,", "paragraph_id": "para_222" }, { "text": "is that Chaney failed to link any claimed misattributions from these databases to", "paragraph_id": "para_223" }, { "text": "CVS.", "paragraph_id": "para_224" }, { "text": "Further, Chaney was not “investigated as a result of this distinction”", "paragraph_id": "para_225" }, { "text": "(being a ‘top prescriber of opioids’), as he asserts. In support of this proposition,", "paragraph_id": "para_226" }, { "text": "he cites the two patients that pharmacy consultant Chris Johnson identified from", "paragraph_id": "para_227" }, { "text": "his KASPER, which Chaney claims were misattributed to him. One of these", "paragraph_id": "para_228" }, { "text": "patients, J.S., was misattributed by a different pharmacy and is therefore not", "paragraph_id": "para_229" }, { "text": "relevant to CVS’s negligence.", "paragraph_id": "para_230" }, { "text": "Misattribution of the other, H.K., is purely speculative. Chaney’s", "paragraph_id": "para_231" }, { "text": "argument goes like this: the report issued by KBML’s medical consultant indicates", "paragraph_id": "para_232" }, { "text": "that Chaney saw H.K. on 11/16/2011 and prescribed her Oxycodone, Gabapentin,", "paragraph_id": "para_233" }, { "text": "and Tizanidine. However, this is not reflected in Chaney’s KASPER report. Ergo,", "paragraph_id": "para_234" }, { "text": "the 2011 prescriptions must have been misattributions that have since been", "paragraph_id": "para_235" }, { "text": "corrected.", "paragraph_id": "para_236" }, { "text": "-12-", "paragraph_id": "para_237" }, { "text": "This is simply a bridge too far. “Liability must rest on a more solid", "paragraph_id": "para_238" }, { "text": "basis than speculation and surmise.” Texaco, Inc. v. Standard, 536 S.W.2d 136,", "paragraph_id": "para_239" }, { "text": "138 (Ky. 1975). Even assuming the H.K. prescription was a misattribution, it was", "paragraph_id": "para_240" }, { "text": "not a substantial factor in bringing about Chaney’s harm because KBML’s medical", "paragraph_id": "para_241" }, { "text": "consultant, Dr. Surinder Kad, found that Chaney’s care regarding this patient", "paragraph_id": "para_242" }, { "text": "complied with minimum standards.", "paragraph_id": "para_243" }, { "text": "Similarly, no evidence suggests controlled substance prescriptions", "paragraph_id": "para_244" }, { "text": "misattributed by CVS were a substantial factor in causing Chaney to be", "paragraph_id": "para_245" }, { "text": "investigated and indicted by federal authorities. John Couch, a retired deputy from", "paragraph_id": "para_246" }, { "text": "the Perry County Sheriff’s Office, testified that the investigation was initiated", "paragraph_id": "para_247" }, { "text": "when a concerned citizen made an anonymous complaint about Clarion to the", "paragraph_id": "para_248" }, { "text": "Kentucky State Police headquarters in Frankfort. Frankfort requested that Perry", "paragraph_id": "para_249" }, { "text": "County’s Kentucky State Police Drug Enforcement section look into Clarion, so", "paragraph_id": "para_250" }, { "text": "Couch conducted surveillance on the clinic and observed cars from out of state and", "paragraph_id": "para_251" }, { "text": "people mingling in the parking lot. He relayed this information to his superior, and", "paragraph_id": "para_252" }, { "text": "the investigation was ultimately passed to the FBI. Couch testified his", "paragraph_id": "para_253" }, { "text": "investigation had nothing to do with KASPER data.", "paragraph_id": "para_254" }, { "text": "Testimony from Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger West confirmed", "paragraph_id": "para_255" }, { "text": "Couch’s version of events. West testified that the investigation stemmed from", "paragraph_id": "para_256" }, { "text": "complaints from state and federal law enforcement that had conducted surveillance", "paragraph_id": "para_257" }, { "text": "-13-", "paragraph_id": "para_258" }, { "text": "at Clarion. West further stated that the Clarion investigation was not based on any", "paragraph_id": "para_259" }, { "text": "erroneously attributed prescriptions in the KASPER database and that Chaney was", "paragraph_id": "para_260" }, { "text": "investigated based solely upon his ownership of Clarion.", "paragraph_id": "para_261" }, { "text": "Chaney claims he was indicted for being a “pill-mill” doctor “[b]ased", "paragraph_id": "para_262" }, { "text": "on a search warrant which relied entirely upon KASPER,” but again, this is beyond", "paragraph_id": "para_263" }, { "text": "the evidence. While the affidavit submitted by the FBI in support of its search", "paragraph_id": "para_264" }, { "text": "warrant references Chaney’s KASPER, it can hardly be said that the search warrant", "paragraph_id": "para_265" }, { "text": "“relied entirely upon KASPER.” In fact, only one paragraph of the sixty-four-page", "paragraph_id": "para_266" }, { "text": "affidavit concerns Chaney’s KASPER. The remainder of the affidavit sets forth", "paragraph_id": "para_267" }, { "text": "the FBI’s detailed investigation into Clarion, including interviews with seven", "paragraph_id": "para_268" }, { "text": "former patients, a former physician employee, and a former compliance officer, as", "paragraph_id": "para_269" }, { "text": "well as the results of months of surveillance.", "paragraph_id": "para_270" }, { "text": "But even if the FBI considered the KASPER data, Chaney bore the", "paragraph_id": "para_271" }, { "text": "burden of proving that it was more likely than not that CVS misattributions were a", "paragraph_id": "para_272" }, { "text": "substantial factor in bringing about his harm. See Standard, 536 S.W.2d at 138.", "paragraph_id": "para_273" }, { "text": "The affidavit states that the FBI reviewed Chaney’s KASPER data from December", "paragraph_id": "para_274" }, { "text": "2010 to December 2012, which indicated that Chaney was prescribing “very large”", "paragraph_id": "para_275" }, { "text": "amounts of controlled substances. CVS concedes that it misattributed 23", "paragraph_id": "para_276" }, { "text": "controlled substance prescriptions to Chaney from 2010 to 2012. However,", "paragraph_id": "para_277" }, { "text": "Chaney’s KASPER data shows that he wrote close to 14,000 controlled substance", "paragraph_id": "para_278" }, { "text": "-14-", "paragraph_id": "para_279" }, { "text": "prescriptions during this period. It is unreasonable to infer that the 23", "paragraph_id": "para_280" }, { "text": "misattributions by CVS proven at trial were a substantial factor in causing the FBI", "paragraph_id": "para_281" }, { "text": "to indict Chaney. Especially considering the multitude of other evidence outlined", "paragraph_id": "para_282" }, { "text": "in the affidavit—extended surveillance of Clarion, interviews with its former", "paragraph_id": "para_283" }, { "text": "patients, and even one of its former physicians—which suggested criminal activity", "paragraph_id": "para_284" }, { "text": "may be taking place at Clarion. While possible, it is simply not probable. Baylis v.", "paragraph_id": "para_285" }, { "text": "Lourdes Hosp., Inc., 805 S.W.2d 122, 124 (Ky. 1991) (“[E]vidence of causation", "paragraph_id": "para_286" }, { "text": "must be in terms of probability rather than mere possibility[.]”).", "paragraph_id": "para_287" }, { "text": "But even more fundamentally, Chaney failed to prove that his", "paragraph_id": "para_288" }, { "text": "indictment would not have occurred but for the misattributions by CVS. “An act", "paragraph_id": "para_289" }, { "text": "or omission is not regarded as a cause of an event if the particular event would", "paragraph_id": "para_290" }, { "text": "have occurred without it.” Gross, 557 U.S. at 176–77 (quoting W. Keeton, D.", "paragraph_id": "para_291" }, { "text": "Dobbs, R. Keeton, & D. Owen, Prosser and Keeton on Law of Torts 265 (5th ed.", "paragraph_id": "para_292" }, { "text": "1984)). Here, there is no evidence, or even a reasonable inference, that Chaney", "paragraph_id": "para_293" }, { "text": "would not have been investigated or indicted but for any misattributions by CVS.", "paragraph_id": "para_294" }, { "text": "Such a conclusion could only be reached by speculation. However, “speculation", "paragraph_id": "para_295" }, { "text": "and supposition are insufficient to justify a submission of a case to the jury, and . . .", "paragraph_id": "para_296" }, { "text": "the question should be taken from the jury when the evidence is so unsatisfactory", "paragraph_id": "para_297" }, { "text": "as to require a resort to surmise and speculation.” O’Bryan v. Cave, 202 S.W.3d", "paragraph_id": "para_298" }, { "text": "585, 588 (Ky. 2006) (citation omitted).", "paragraph_id": "para_299" }, { "text": "-15-", "paragraph_id": "para_300" }, { "text": "As an extension of the above, Chaney failed to prove that any", "paragraph_id": "para_301" }, { "text": "misattributions by CVS caused him to lose his medical license, lose his ability to", "paragraph_id": "para_302" }, { "text": "prescribe controlled substances, or go to prison. The evidence clearly showed that", "paragraph_id": "para_303" }, { "text": "these results were the direct consequences of Chaney’s conviction for conspiracy", "paragraph_id": "para_304" }, { "text": "to commit money laundering. Chaney stipulated in the 2016 agreed order of", "paragraph_id": "para_305" }, { "text": "surrender to pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering, engaging", "paragraph_id": "para_306" }, { "text": "in conduct which violates Kentucky law, and that, pursuant to 201 KAR4 9:081, the", "paragraph_id": "para_307" }, { "text": "facts underlying his conviction relate to controlled substances. Diakov testified", "paragraph_id": "para_308" }, { "text": "that the KBML was required by law to suspend a practitioner’s ability to prescribe", "paragraph_id": "para_309" }, { "text": "controlled substances when they have been convicted of a crime involving", "paragraph_id": "para_310" }, { "text": "controlled substances. She further testified that Chaney’s surrender of his license", "paragraph_id": "para_311" }, { "text": "was based solely upon his guilty plea. In sum, Chaney failed to prove that any", "paragraph_id": "para_312" }, { "text": "misattributions by CVS were the legal cause of his harm, and “the jury could not", "paragraph_id": "para_313" }, { "text": "have reasonably reached its verdict on the basis of the evidence before it.” Belt v.", "paragraph_id": "para_314" }, { "text": "Cincinnati Insurance Company, 664 S.W.3d 524, 530 (Ky. 2022) (internal", "paragraph_id": "para_315" }, { "text": "quotation marks and citation omitted). Therefore, the circuit court erred in denying", "paragraph_id": "para_316" }, { "text": "CVS’s motion for directed verdict on Chaney’s negligence claim.", "paragraph_id": "para_317" }, { "text": "CVS also argues the trial court should have directed a verdict on", "paragraph_id": "para_318" }, { "text": "Chaney’s false light claim. In McCall v. Courier–Journal and Louisville Times", "paragraph_id": "para_319" }, { "text": "4 Kentucky Administrative Regulations.", "paragraph_id": "para_320" }, { "text": "-16-", "paragraph_id": "para_321" }, { "text": "Co., 623 S.W.2d 882 (Ky. 1981), our Supreme Court adopted the Restatement", "paragraph_id": "para_322" }, { "text": "(Second) of Torts § 652E (1976), which sets forth the requirements for a false light", "paragraph_id": "para_323" }, { "text": "claim as follows:", "paragraph_id": "para_324" }, { "text": "One who gives publicity to a matter concerning another", "paragraph_id": "para_325" }, { "text": "that places the other before the public in a false light is", "paragraph_id": "para_326" }, { "text": "subject to liability to the other for invasion of his privacy,", "paragraph_id": "para_327" }, { "text": "if", "paragraph_id": "para_328" }, { "text": "(a) the false light in which the other was placed would", "paragraph_id": "para_329" }, { "text": "be highly offensive to a reasonable person, and", "paragraph_id": "para_330" }, { "text": "(b) the actor had knowledge of or acted in reckless", "paragraph_id": "para_331" }, { "text": "disregard as to the falsity of the publicized matter", "paragraph_id": "para_332" }, { "text": "and the false light in which the other would be", "paragraph_id": "para_333" }, { "text": "placed.", "paragraph_id": "para_334" }, { "text": "“Publicity” means that “the matter is made public, by communicating", "paragraph_id": "para_335" }, { "text": "it to the public at large, or to so many persons that the matter must be regarded as", "paragraph_id": "para_336" }, { "text": "substantially certain to become one of public knowledge.” RESTATEMENT", "paragraph_id": "para_337" }, { "text": "(SECOND) OF TORTS § 652D cmt. a (1976). Examples of publicity include:", "paragraph_id": "para_338" }, { "text": "“publication in a newspaper or a magazine, even of small circulation, or in a", "paragraph_id": "para_339" }, { "text": "handbill distributed to a large number of persons, or any broadcast over the radio,", "paragraph_id": "para_340" }, { "text": "or statement made in an address to a large audience[.]” Id. However, it is not", "paragraph_id": "para_341" }, { "text": "enough “to communicate a fact concerning the plaintiff’s private life to a single", "paragraph_id": "para_342" }, { "text": "person or even to a small group of persons.” Id. “The distinction, in other words,", "paragraph_id": "para_343" }, { "text": "is one between private and public communication.” Id. “The purpose of", "paragraph_id": "para_344" }, { "text": "a false light action is to protect the individual in not being made to appear before", "paragraph_id": "para_345" }, { "text": "-17-", "paragraph_id": "para_346" }, { "text": "the public in an unreasonably objectionable false light and otherwise than as he is.”", "paragraph_id": "para_347" }, { "text": "McCall, 623 S.W.2d at 888 n.9 (citing RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 652E", "paragraph_id": "para_348" }, { "text": "cmt. b (1976)).", "paragraph_id": "para_349" }, { "text": "In his second amended complaint, Chaney alleged that due to", "paragraph_id": "para_350" }, { "text": "misattributions by CVS, he “appeared falsely to the public as having written large", "paragraph_id": "para_351" }, { "text": "amounts of controlled substance prescriptions.” CVS contends Chaney’s false", "paragraph_id": "para_352" }, { "text": "light claim fails as a matter of law because he failed to prove that the", "paragraph_id": "para_353" }, { "text": "misattributions were communicated to the public at large or placed him in a false", "paragraph_id": "para_354" }, { "text": "light that would be highly offensive to a reasonable person. We agree.", "paragraph_id": "para_355" }, { "text": "As for publicity, the evidence at trial was that communication of", "paragraph_id": "para_356" }, { "text": "individual prescription data (including any prescriptions misattributed to Chaney)", "paragraph_id": "para_357" }, { "text": "was limited to three recipients: KASPER, third-party payors such as insurance", "paragraph_id": "para_358" }, { "text": "companies, and the patients themselves. None of these communications satisfies", "paragraph_id": "para_359" }, { "text": "the publicity requirement of a false light claim. As noted above, publicity means", "paragraph_id": "para_360" }, { "text": "that the matter is “made public, by communicating it to the public at large, or to so", "paragraph_id": "para_361" }, { "text": "many persons that the matter must be regarded as substantially certain to become", "paragraph_id": "para_362" }, { "text": "one of public knowledge.” RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 652D cmt. a", "paragraph_id": "para_363" }, { "text": "(1976).", "paragraph_id": "para_364" }, { "text": "KASPER data is not available to the general public and is protected", "paragraph_id": "para_365" }, { "text": "by statute. See Williams v. Commonwealth, 213 S.W.3d 671, 683 (Ky. 2006); KRS", "paragraph_id": "para_366" }, { "text": "-18-", "paragraph_id": "para_367" }, { "text": "218A.202(6)(a) & (b). Similarly, prescription data transferred to insurance", "paragraph_id": "para_368" }, { "text": "companies is confidential under HIPAA. See 45 C.F.R.5 §§ 160.102, 160.103,", "paragraph_id": "para_369" }, { "text": "164.502(a). “These restrictions negate the assumption that the matter was", "paragraph_id": "para_370" }, { "text": "substantially certain to become one of public knowledge.” Moore v. Big Picture", "paragraph_id": "para_371" }, { "text": "Co., 828 F.2d 270, 274 (5th Cir. 1987) (holding that communications that could", "paragraph_id": "para_372" }, { "text": "only be accessed in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C.6 §", "paragraph_id": "para_373" }, { "text": "552(a)(3) (1977), were not public). While Chaney claims that the prescription data", "paragraph_id": "para_374" }, { "text": "communicated by CVS to KASPER and insurance companies “then flows to", "paragraph_id": "para_375" }, { "text": "various databases and publicly available sources of information[,]” we are unaware", "paragraph_id": "para_376" }, { "text": "of any evidence confirming this assertion.7", "paragraph_id": "para_377" }, { "text": "Finally, a communication to a patient via the label on their", "paragraph_id": "para_378" }, { "text": "prescription pill bottle is a private communication. See RESTATEMENT (SECOND)", "paragraph_id": "para_379" }, { "text": "OF TORTS § 652D cmt. a (1976) (“[I]t is not an invasion of the right of privacy . . .", "paragraph_id": "para_380" }, { "text": "to communicate a fact concerning the plaintiff’s private life to a single person or", "paragraph_id": "para_381" }, { "text": "even to a small group of persons.”). This is true even though misattributions were", "paragraph_id": "para_382" }, { "text": "sent to 101 individual patients. See Sherr v. HealthEast Care System, 262 F. Supp.", "paragraph_id": "para_383" }, { "text": "3d 869, 881 (D. Minn. 2017) (holding that hospital’s disclosure of information to", "paragraph_id": "para_384" }, { "text": "5 Code of Federal Regulations.", "paragraph_id": "para_385" }, { "text": "6 United States Code.", "paragraph_id": "para_386" }, { "text": "7 We have reviewed Chaney’s citation to the video record (VR 03/08/23 at 14:23:50) and find no", "paragraph_id": "para_387" }, { "text": "support for this claim.", "paragraph_id": "para_388" }, { "text": "-19-", "paragraph_id": "para_389" }, { "text": "35-40 medical practitioners did not constitute publicity); Cohen v. Beachside Two–", "paragraph_id": "para_390" }, { "text": "I Homeowners’ Ass’n, No. 05-706, 2005 WL 3088361, at *17 (D. Minn. Nov. 17,", "paragraph_id": "para_391" }, { "text": "2005) (holding that distribution to “a small community of about fifty households in", "paragraph_id": "para_392" }, { "text": "a small geographic area” was not to the public at large). As noted by the", "paragraph_id": "para_393" }, { "text": "Restatement, “[t]he distinction . . . is one between private and public", "paragraph_id": "para_394" }, { "text": "communication.” RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 652D cmt. a. As examples", "paragraph_id": "para_395" }, { "text": "of public communication, the Restatement lists “any publication in a newspaper or", "paragraph_id": "para_396" }, { "text": "a magazine, even of small circulation, or in a handbill distributed to a large number", "paragraph_id": "para_397" }, { "text": "of persons, or any broadcast over the radio, or statement made in an address to a", "paragraph_id": "para_398" }, { "text": "large audience[.]” Id.", "paragraph_id": "para_399" }, { "text": "Information communicated on a patient’s prescription pill bottle is", "paragraph_id": "para_400" }, { "text": "essentially private. The nature of the communication does not change—from", "paragraph_id": "para_401" }, { "text": "private to public—simply because of the number of private communications. This", "paragraph_id": "para_402" }, { "text": "is particularly true here, where there is no evidence that any one patient knew of", "paragraph_id": "para_403" }, { "text": "any other patient’s misattributed prescription. Again, the relevant question is", "paragraph_id": "para_404" }, { "text": "whether the communication was “to so many persons that the matter must be", "paragraph_id": "para_405" }, { "text": "regarded as substantially certain to become one of public knowledge.”", "paragraph_id": "para_406" }, { "text": "RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 652D cmt. a (1976) (emphasis added). Given", "paragraph_id": "para_407" }, { "text": "the substance of the communications at issue, we cannot say it was substantially", "paragraph_id": "para_408" }, { "text": "-20-", "paragraph_id": "para_409" }, { "text": "certain that any prescriptions misattributed to Chaney would become public", "paragraph_id": "para_410" }, { "text": "knowledge.", "paragraph_id": "para_411" }, { "text": "Even if Chaney could prove the publicity aspect of his false light", "paragraph_id": "para_412" }, { "text": "claim, he has failed to show that any misattributions painted him in a false light", "paragraph_id": "para_413" }, { "text": "that would be highly offensive to a reasonable person. First, Chaney has failed to", "paragraph_id": "para_414" }, { "text": "show that the 101 misattributions attributed to CVS cast him in a false light, or in", "paragraph_id": "para_415" }, { "text": "other words, “otherwise than he is.” RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 652E", "paragraph_id": "para_416" }, { "text": "cmt. b (1976). Chaney’s second amended complaint alleges that the", "paragraph_id": "para_417" }, { "text": "misattributions made him “appear[] falsely to the public as having written large", "paragraph_id": "para_418" }, { "text": "amounts of controlled substance prescriptions.” But Chaney’s KASPER data from", "paragraph_id": "para_419" }, { "text": "the relevant period (2010-2014) shows that he wrote over 21,000 controlled", "paragraph_id": "para_420" }, { "text": "substance prescriptions. By any standard, Chaney did write a “large amount of", "paragraph_id": "para_421" }, { "text": "controlled substance prescriptions.” And while Chaney disputes the reliability of", "paragraph_id": "para_422" }, { "text": "this number, he has not put forth any evidence suggesting it was so much lower", "paragraph_id": "para_423" }, { "text": "that the 101 misattributions by CVS somehow tipped the balance and made him", "paragraph_id": "para_424" }, { "text": "appear to the public otherwise than he is.", "paragraph_id": "para_425" }, { "text": "Additionally, he has not shown that the misattributions would be", "paragraph_id": "para_426" }, { "text": "“highly offensive” to a reasonable person. This means that Chaney “would be", "paragraph_id": "para_427" }, { "text": "justified in the eyes of the community in feeling seriously offended and aggrieved", "paragraph_id": "para_428" }, { "text": "by the publicity.” A reasonable person in Chaney’s position, someone who had", "paragraph_id": "para_429" }, { "text": "-21-", "paragraph_id": "para_430" }, { "text": "written over 21,000 controlled substance prescriptions, would not be highly", "paragraph_id": "para_431" }, { "text": "offended by having 101 controlled substance prescriptions misattributed to him.", "paragraph_id": "para_432" }, { "text": "This comparatively small number would not make a reasonable person in Chaney’s", "paragraph_id": "para_433" }, { "text": "position worry that people would think that they overprescribed controlled", "paragraph_id": "para_434" }, { "text": "substances. Especially since here the only members of the public who would have", "paragraph_id": "para_435" }, { "text": "seen these misattributions were the individual patients who received the", "paragraph_id": "para_436" }, { "text": "prescriptions, and it is unlikely they would have attributed them to Chaney rather", "paragraph_id": "para_437" }, { "text": "than to CVS. Further, absent evidence to the contrary, each patient presumably", "paragraph_id": "para_438" }, { "text": "was aware of only a single misattribution and therefore would not have assumed", "paragraph_id": "para_439" }, { "text": "that Chaney was an overprescriber simply on that fact. In sum, Chaney failed to", "paragraph_id": "para_440" }, { "text": "introduce sufficient evidence to convince a reasonable juror that CVS gave", "paragraph_id": "para_441" }, { "text": "“publicity” to any misattributions and that those misattributions would be “highly", "paragraph_id": "para_442" }, { "text": "offensive” to a reasonable person, as required for a false light claim.", "paragraph_id": "para_443" }, { "text": "Here, the jury’s verdict was so palpably against the evidence that we", "paragraph_id": "para_444" }, { "text": "can only conclude “it was reached as a result of passion or prejudice.” Bierman,", "paragraph_id": "para_445" }, { "text": "967 S.W.2d at 19. Certainly, Chaney’s story is tragic. He was presented as a", "paragraph_id": "para_446" }, { "text": "small-town doctor who lost everything. The jury heard how Chaney was", "paragraph_id": "para_447" }, { "text": "investigated, indicted, and made to sit in prison in solitary confinement. They", "paragraph_id": "para_448" }, { "text": "heard how he had to give up doing what he loved and now makes pizzas for", "paragraph_id": "para_449" }, { "text": "meager wages. They heard how large, corporate pharmacies, including CVS,", "paragraph_id": "para_450" }, { "text": "-22-", "paragraph_id": "para_451" }, { "text": "misattributed controlled substance prescriptions to Chaney. But what they did not", "paragraph_id": "para_452" }, { "text": "hear was sufficient evidence to satisfy the elements of Chaney’s negligence and", "paragraph_id": "para_453" }, { "text": "false light claims, as set forth above. We do not take reversing the jury’s verdict", "paragraph_id": "para_454" }, { "text": "lightly. “Clearly, the sanctity of the jury verdict is fundamental in our judicial", "paragraph_id": "para_455" }, { "text": "system.” Kentucky Kingdom Amusement Co. v. Belo Kentucky, Inc., 179 S.W.3d", "paragraph_id": "para_456" }, { "text": "785, 790 (Ky. 2005). However, at the same time, when there is “no evidence of", "paragraph_id": "para_457" }, { "text": "probative value to support [a] . . . result[,]” a directed verdict is appropriate,", "paragraph_id": "para_458" }, { "text": "because “[t]he jury may not be permitted to reach a verdict upon speculation or", "paragraph_id": "para_459" }, { "text": "conjecture.” Toler, 458 S.W.3d at 285 (citation omitted). Here, there was", "paragraph_id": "para_460" }, { "text": "insufficient evidence for a reasonable juror to conclude that CVS’s negligence", "paragraph_id": "para_461" }, { "text": "caused Chaney’s injuries or placed him in a false light, and the circuit court should", "paragraph_id": "para_462" }, { "text": "have directed a verdict in CVS’s favor.", "paragraph_id": "para_463" }, { "text": "Finally, Chaney cross-appeals the trial court’s reduction of his damage", "paragraph_id": "para_464" }, { "text": "award. Because we have found the trial court erred in failing to grant a directed", "paragraph_id": "para_465" }, { "text": "verdict for CVS on Chaney’s claim, this issue is now moot. Therefore, we decline", "paragraph_id": "para_466" }, { "text": "to address it.", "paragraph_id": "para_467" }, { "text": "CONCLUSION", "paragraph_id": "para_468" }, { "text": "Based on the foregoing, the judgment of the Perry Circuit Court is", "paragraph_id": "para_469" }, { "text": "reversed, and the case is remanded with instructions to dismiss Chaney’s", "paragraph_id": "para_470" }, { "text": "complaint. Chaney’s cross-appeal is dismissed as moot.", "paragraph_id": "para_471" }, { "text": "-23-", "paragraph_id": "para_472" }, { "text": "ALL CONCUR.", "paragraph_id": "para_473" }, { "text": "BRIEFS FOR APPELLANT/CROSS-", "paragraph_id": "para_474" }, { "text": "APPELLEE CVS PHARMACY,", "paragraph_id": "para_475" }, { "text": "INC.:", "paragraph_id": "para_476" }, { "text": "S. Chad Meredith", "paragraph_id": "para_477" }, { "text": "G. Luke Burton", "paragraph_id": "para_478" }, { "text": "F. Maximilian Czernin", "paragraph_id": "para_479" }, { "text": "Cincinnati, Ohio", "paragraph_id": "para_480" }, { "text": "Darryl W. Durham", "paragraph_id": "para_481" }, { "text": "Louisville, Kentucky", "paragraph_id": "para_482" }, { "text": "Randall Scott May", "paragraph_id": "para_483" }, { "text": "Hazard, Kentucky", "paragraph_id": "para_484" }, { "text": "Jonathan W. Garlough", "paragraph_id": "para_485" }, { "text": "Chicago, Illinois", "paragraph_id": "para_486" }, { "text": "Anne-Louise T. Mittal", "paragraph_id": "para_487" }, { "text": "Milwaukee, Wisconsin", "paragraph_id": "para_488" }, { "text": "BRIEFS FOR APPELLEE/CROSS-", "paragraph_id": "para_489" }, { "text": "APPELLANT JAMES DUSTIN", "paragraph_id": "para_490" }, { "text": "CHANEY:", "paragraph_id": "para_491" }, { "text": "J. Dale Golden", "paragraph_id": "para_492" }, { "text": "Laraclay Parker", "paragraph_id": "para_493" }, { "text": "Cody P. McIlvoy", "paragraph_id": "para_494" }, { "text": "Lexington, Kentucky", "paragraph_id": "para_495" } ], "word_count": 4967, "cites": [ "557 U.S. 167", "552 F.3d 659", "828 F.2d 270" ], "cited_by": [], "sha256": "3b7c70ae8a5295e53ec9f03dbc3645e559d3ad6e8384b7f8f37fa3d739fff235", "source_url": "https://appellatepublic.kycourts.net/api/api/v1/publicaccessdocuments/3b259b35aa07000fa8742d11b1eab797c932302f34bcf88033c3d0a53d5f799c/download", "fetched_at": "2026-10-14T07:56:49.778+00:00", "canonical": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/ai/judgments/us/kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24", "risk_graph": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/risk?id=us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24", "relations_graph": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/relations?id=us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24", "changes": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/us-praxis/changes", "agent": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/us-praxis/agent?id=us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24", "verification": { "stored_sha256": "3b7c70ae8a5295e53ec9f03dbc3645e559d3ad6e8384b7f8f37fa3d739fff235", "recomputed_sha256": "3b7c70ae8a5295e53ec9f03dbc3645e559d3ad6e8384b7f8f37fa3d739fff235", "intact": true, "checked_at": "2026-10-15T06:45:59.679Z" } }, "hash": "sha256:da3893ebd04d39ad89c1954cc0bfd9bd46fcedcdf1f3eef04eb211dc9fb5b548", "version": "legal-2026-10-15", "expires": "2026-10-16T00:00:00.000Z", "dependency": { "index_version": "legal-2026-10-15+legal-2026-10-15+2026-10-15T06:23:03", "content_hash": "sha256:da3893ebd04d39ad89c1954cc0bfd9bd46fcedcdf1f3eef04eb211dc9fb5b548", "revalidate_after": "2026-10-15T07:45:59.853Z", "max_copy_age_seconds": 3600, "policy": "revalidate-required; attribution-preferred", "changelog": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/dependency", "verify": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/verify", "stale_copy_invalid": true }, "canonical": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/judgment-text?id=us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24", "follow": [ { "rel": "risk", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/risk?id=us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24" }, { "rel": "relations", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/relations?id=us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24" }, { "rel": "agent", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/us-praxis/agent?id=us:kyctapp-2024-ca-0962-2026-04-24" }, { "rel": "obligations", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/obligation-chain" }, { "rel": "changes", "href": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/whats-new?jurisdiction=us" } ], "disclaimer": "Source reference with official identifier. Not legal advice and not a compliance decision.", "content_notice": { "legal_advice": false, "nature": "Source register. Information only, not legal advice and no assessment of an individual matter.", "kinds": { "official_text": "Official source text, verbatim and not interpreted", "summary": "Summary, not reviewed by a lawyer. Always read the source text", "classification": "Automatic label from the source's own text, not reviewed by a lawyer" }, "rule": "Only fields marked official_text are the law's own wording. Everything else points to it.", "report_error": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/corrections", "ai_act_declaration": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/api/public/v1/ai-act-declaration" }, "usageInfo": "https://legal.exploreworldai.com/citering", "access_class": "public", "access_view": "public" }