HUGH B. SCOTT, District Judge.
Before the Court are the following motions: the plaintiff's motion to exclude evidence of a bankruptcy filing (Docket Nos. 71 & 77), the plaintiff's motion to exclude surveillance evidence (Docket No. 83 & 86), the plaintiff's motion to exclude the defendants' experts (Docket Nos. 88, 90, & 91) and the defendants motion to limit the testimony of the plaintiff's medical witnesses (Docket Nos. 70 & 94).
The plaintiff, Dawn M. Rafferty ("Rafferty"), commenced this action in New York State court alleging that she was injured as a result of an automobile accident on July 2, 2008 in the Town of Ellicott, New York. The plaintiff alleges that the accident was caused by defendant Roy P. Erhard, Jr. ("Erhard"), who was operating a truck owned by defendant Herman R. Ewell Inc. ("Ewell"). (Docket No. 1-4 at ¶¶ 4-7). The plaintiff claims that she was stopped, attempting to make a left hand turn, when the vehicle she was driving was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer operated by Erhard. The state court action was removed to this court based upon diversity jurisdiction (the plaintiff is a New York resident; while both defendants are Pennsylvania residents). (Docket No. 1 at ¶¶ 3-5).
The defendant Erhard has admitted that he was negligent and that his negligence was the sole proximate cause of the accident. (Docket No. 54 at ¶2). It appears that this stipulation leaves only the issues of the nature, cause, extent of the plaintiff's injuries and the amount of damages to be determined by a jury. (Docket No. 73 at ¶ 5). A jury trial is set to commence on July 9, 2012.
The plaintiff seeks to preclude introduction of evidence relating to the fact that she filed for relief under the United States Bankruptcy code. (Docket No. 73 at ¶ 2). The plaintiff argues that evidence relating to any bankruptcy is not relevant to any of the remaining issues in this case. (Docket No. 77 at ¶ 3). Thus, the plaintiff contends that such evidence should be excluded under Rule 401 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. (Docket No. 92 at page 2).
The defendant has not responded to the plaintiff's motion relating to the exclusion of evidence relating to the bankruptcy filing.
The motion to exclude reference of the plaintiff's bankruptcy filing is granted.
The plaintiff also seeks to preclude introduction of any surveillance video, or other evidence deriving from clandestine surveillance of the plaintiff. (Docket No. 84 at ¶ 3). During discovery in this case, the defendants have produced two written reports and a compact disc containing a video generated as a result of surveillance of the plaintiff. (Docket No. 84 at ¶ 7). The discovery reflects that there was a total of 80 hours of surveillance conducted by two investigators. (Docket No. 84 at ¶ 9). An August 30, 2011 report suggest that the plaintiff was observed "engaging in physical activity," "conducting yard work" and "walking dogs." The August 30, 2011 report concludes that the plaintiff "bent at the waist numerous times, squatted to the ground, turned her neck in difference directions and moved in a free and unrestricted manner [and] did not appear to wear any braces or utilize any orthopedic devices." (Docket No. 84-1 at page 3). On August 17, 2011, the plaintiff was observed using an electric push mower to cut the grass at her residence, as well as using a edge trimmer and a blower on the front lawn. (Docket No. 84-1 at pages 3, 8). In a report dated October 28, 2011, the plaintiff was allegedly observed on September 23, 2011 picking up two recycling bins and a trash can from in front of her home and bring them to the rear of the home. (Docket No. 84-2 at page 3). Photographs appear to reflect that the recycle bins and trash can were empty at that time. (Docket No. 84-2 at page 5). On several occasions, Rafferty was allegedly observed walking dogs and moving about without the assistance of medical devices or orthopedic braces. (Docket No. 84-1 pages 3-8; 84-2 pages 2-11).
The plaintiff contends that the surveillance evidence is not relevant to the issues in this case (Docket No. 84 at ¶ 11) and should be excluded under Rule 401. The plaintiff argues that the observed activity by the plaintiff is not in conflict with the admitted abilities of the plaintiff, and thus, are irrelevant. (Docket No. 85 at page 2). The plaintiff asserts that the fact that her physicians certify her as disabled does not mean "she cannot perform physical tasks for a short period of time, or on her good days. Neither do they claim she cannot perform the activities shown on the video or documented in the reports." (Docket No. 85 at page 3). The plaintiff relies upon
In the instant case, the issues include not whether the plaintiff meets the definition of "disabled" under an insurance policy, but the extent to which the plaintiff's injuries resulting from the underlying accident impact the plaintiff's ability to perform daily functions and her overall quality of life. The plaintiff claims that the injuries she has suffered as a result of the accident resulted in cervical and lumbar disc herniations and have left her "in constant daily pain" and "severe depression." (Docket No. 105 at page 2). The plaintiff had described her injuries as including: surgery consisting of a complete C-5-6 disectomy, insertion of a bone cage device and bone graft; cervicalgia; cervical radiculopathy; loss of range of motion in her cervical spine; myofascial pain; an injury to her left wrist resulting in carpel tunnel syndrome requiring surgery; an injury to her right wrist resulting in left cubital tunnel syndrome requiring surgery; an injury to her right wrist resulting in carpel tunnel syndrome requiring surgery in the future; bilateral median neuropathy; ulnar neuropathy; disc herniation at L5-S1; posterior disc bulges at L2-3 and L3-4; lumbar radiculopathy; loss of range of motion in her lumbar spine; general weakness throughout her body; right lateral rib pain; concussive headache syndrome; numbness in her lower extremities; confusion and memory loss; sleep disturbances; chronic headaches; major depressive syndrome; post traumatic stress syndrome; vertigo; anxiety attacks; and severe back pain. (Docket No. 91 at pages 2-5). In response to the instant motion, the plaintiff asserts that at her deposition she admitted to being able to perform the physical activity depicted on the surveillance tape (i.e. walking dogs, picking up empty recycling and trash bins, using yard equipment), but that "any attempt to do so carried with it excruciating pain." (Docket No. 104 at page 4). Whether performing these daily tasks causes the plaintiff "excruciating pain" is an issue to be determined by the trier of fact in this case. The surveillance evidence is relevant and material to that issue.
The motion to exclude the surveillance evidence is denied. The admission of any such evidence, however, shall be determined upon the establishment of a proper foundation at trial.
The plaintiff's initial pretrial statement listed the following medical witnesses: Dr. Alexander Selouski; Dr. John Callahan; Dr. N. Rehmatullah, Dr. Brian Joseph and Dr. Michael Ferrick. (Docket No. 79). It appears that Dr. Ferrick and Dr. Joseph were designated as experts for the defendants. In an amended pretrial statement, the plaintiff added Dr. Laszlo Mechtler and Dr. Cameron Huckell as additional treating physicians the plaintiff intended to call at trial. (Docket No. 105 at page 4). The defendant seeks to limit the testimony of the plaintiff's medical witnesses because the plaintiff did not identify her treating physicians as experts pursuant to Rule 26(a)(2)(A) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. (Docket Nos. 70 and 94).
It is well-settled that a treating physician can testify at trial without disclosure of an expert report pursuant to Rule 26(a)(2)(B).
In the instant case, the defendants argue that testimony from the plaintiff's physicians should be precluded because the plaintiff did not designate them as "experts" under Rule 26(a)(2)(A) and provide the disclosure required under Rule 26(a)(2)(C). The defendants assert that the designation and disclosure under Rules 26(a)(2)(A) and (C) is distinguished from the disclosure required under Rule 26(a)(2)(B). (Docket No. 94 at page 3). Rule 26 was amended, by order dated April 28, 2010, to add Rule 26(a)(2)(C) requiring that limited disclosure be made with respect to witnesses who expect to present evidence under Rule 702, 703 or 705 of the Federal Rule of Evidence, but who do not have to file an expert report under Rule 26(a)(2)(B). The Advisory Committee notes stated that the addition was to address cases where physicians and other health professionals may provide testimony. The amended rule became effective on December 1, 2010 with respect to all proceedings commenced thereafter, and
As noted above, prior to this amendment, physicians were allowed to testify without any disclosure under Rule 26. Prior to the amendment, because treating physicians were not "considered" experts requiring a Rule 26 report, physicians were often allowed to testify even where the physician was not designated under Rule 26. See
In the instant case, the plaintiff did not designate or make disclosure relating to the plaintiff's treating physicians who the plaintiff intends to call at trial. The defendants now seek to preclude the plaintiff's physicians from testifying because the defendants have not taken the depositions of these individuals.
In light of the above, the Court declines to strictly apply the 2010 amendments to Rule 26 in this case inasmuch as this case was pending at the time of the amendment. The Court denies the motion to preclude the plaintiff's treating physicians from offering testimony at trial, but grants the defendants' alternative that the physicians testimony be limited to their care and treatment of the plaintiff.
On or about October 10, 2012, the defendants designated Dr. Michael Ferrick as an expert in this case. (Docket No. 89-1). On November 15, 2011, the defendants designated Daniel Castellani as an expert. (Docket No. 89-2). On November 30, 2011, the defendants designated Peter D. Capotosto (Docket No. 89-3) and Dr. Brian S. Joseph as experts in this case. Dr. Joseph is expected to testify as to the extent any injuries suffered by the plaintiff affected her mental health. (Docket No. 89 at ¶ 10). The instant motion does not relate to Dr. Ferrick or Dr. Joseph.
The plaintiff seeks to preclude the testimony of Dr. Daniel Castellani and Peter Capotosto on the grounds that their expected testimony and related reports are unreliable. In the alternative, the plaintiff requests hearing pursuant to
As noted above, the plaintiff alleges that as a result of that accident, she has undergone various surgeries to her back and left wrist; that she continues to experience severe back pain, as well as other physical issues (cervicalgia; disc herniation at L5-S1; posterior disc bulges at L2-3 and L3-4; lumbar radiculopathy; loss of range of motion in her cervical and lumbar spine; general weakness throughout her body; right lateral rib pain; concussive headache syndrome; numbness in her lower extremities; confusion and memory loss; sleep disturbances; chronic headaches; major depressive syndrome; post traumatic stress syndrome; vertigo; anxiety attacks; and severe back pain). (Docket No. 91 at pages 2-5). The plaintiff claims to be disabled as a result of these injuries. (Docket No. 91 at page 5).
The plaintiff asserts that the defendants initially designated Dr. Michael Ferrick as an expert in this case, but that after examining the plaintiff, Dr. Ferrick concluded that the plaintiff did sustain a cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine injuries as a result of the July 2, 2012 accident; that the surgery on the plaintiff's cervical spine was related to the accident; and that the plaintiff has an overall moderate level of disability caused by the accident. (Docket No. 91 at page 4). The plaintiff asserts that because the defendants did not like that opinion, the defendants supplemented their disclosure to designate Dr. Castellani as an expert. Dr. Castellani did not examine the plaintiff, but instead issued a report based upon his review of the various medical records and tests relating to the plaintiffs injuries. Dr. Castellani's report states that various x-rays taken after the accident on July 2, 2008 and shortly thereafter, revealed that the intervertabral disc spaces were well preserved; a July 9, 2008 MRI of the plaintiff's cervical spine showed "no significant abnormalities;" a July 10, 2008 x-ray of the plaintiff's thoracic spine was read as normal; and a July 10, 2008 MRI of the plaintiff's lumbar spine revealed only minor degenerative changes. Dr. Castellani also reviewed a February 2009 MRI which revealed "no disc bulging" and only a slight decrease in disc signal and height; various MRI taken on February 16, 2009 showing a slight bulge at C4-5, and a "minimal bulge at T10-11. Also available for review was a June 15, 2010 MRI showing a disc bulge at L2-3, L3-4 and L4-5, as well as a disc herniation at L5-S1. Dr. Castellani reviewed various other reports from the plaintiff's medical providers. He concluded that the plaintiff sustained a cervical and lumbar strain as a result of the July 2, 2008 accident, but Dr. Castellani stated that he found no evidence that the plaintiff's cervical and lumbar disc herniations were related to the July 2, 2008 accident inasmuch as the ambulance and emergency room records specifically state that she had no back pain and that there was no clinical findings supporting a cervical or lumbar herniation at that time. (Docket No. 89-3 at pages 1-6).
Because Dr. Castellani did not examine the plaintiff, Rafferty contends that Dr. Castellani's report and expected testimony "have no relevance or probative value and will only serve to mislead the jury" under Rules 401 and 403 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. However, the plaintiff's argument in this regard is based upon the plaintiff's analysis that Dr. Castellani's methodology was flawed (inasmuch as he did not examine the plaintiff) pursuant to
The plaintiff argues that Dr. Castellani's entire report and expected testimony are inadmissible under
However, the fact that a physician has not examined the plaintiff does not necessitate a finding that any such expert report or testimony offered by the physician is inadmissible under
The cases cited by the plaintiff in support of the contention that Dr. Castellani's failure to examine Rafferty render his opinion inadmissible under
The plaintiff also contends that Dr. Castellani offers opinions and conclusions outside of his expertise. Specifically, the plaintiff contends that Dr. Castellani's conclusion No. 9 attempts to offer a "sociological or psychiatric opinion." (Docket No. 91 at page 18). In this finding, Dr. Castellani states:
(Docket No. 89-2 at page 8). Although the record reflects that Dr. Castellani is board certified in psychiatry, Dr. Castellani does not cite to any basis upon which he could have made such an evaluation regarding plaintiff's psychological motivation absent an examination.
The defendants proposed to call Capotosto, a vocational rehabilitation expert, to testify that the plaintiff could return to work The plaintiff argues that Capotosto's report and expected testimony is also inadmissible under
Finally, the plaintiff argues that the expert reports of Dr. Castellani and Capotosto must be excluded because they fail to comply with Rule 26 requirements including:
(Docket No. 91 at page 20).
The defendants have agreed, and the Court has directed, that the defendants cure these deficiencies immediately.
In light of the above, the plaintiff's motion to preclude the testimony and report of Dr. Castellani is denied, with the exception that Dr. Castellani not be permitted to testify as to the plaintiff's motivation or other psychological issues. Dr. Castellani's report, if introduced into evidence, shall be redacted accordingly. the motion to preclude the defendant's expert witnesses is otherwise denied.
So Ordered.