Civil Verdict - Margaret Smith and John Smith vs Loring Hospital Lacv019319

7/28/2019 Civil Verdict - Margaret Smith and John Smith vs Loring Hospital Lacv019319

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IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR SAC COUNTY rn

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MARGARET SMITH and JOHN SMITH,

P l a i n t i f f s ,

v s .

LORING HOSPITAL,

D e f e n d a n t .

PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTION NO. 1

Members of the j u r y , b e f o r e the l a w y e r s make t h e i r o p e n i n g

s t a t e m e n t s , the c o u r t g i v e s you t h e se p r e l i m i n a r y i n s t r u c t i o n s

t o h e l p you b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d w h a t w i l l be p r e s e n t e d be f o r e you

a n d how you s h o u l d c o n du c t y o u r s e l f d u r i n g the t r i a l . You are

t o c o n s i d e r t h e se i n s t r u c t i o n s , t o g e t h e r w i t h any i n s t r u c t i o n s

g i v e n to you d u r i n g t h e t r i a l and w i t h i n s t r u c t i o n s g i v e n to you

a t the end of t h e c a s e , and a p p l y t h e m as a w h o l e to the f a c t s

o f • t h e c a s e . In c o n s i d e r i n g t h e se i n s t r u c t i o n s , you w i l l a t t a c h

n o i m p o r t a n c e or s i g n i f i c a n c e w h a t s o e v e r to the o r d e r i n w h i c h

t h e y a r e g i v e n .

No. LACV019319 ^

co

PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS




T h i s i s a c i v i l c a s e i n w h i c h t h e P l a i n t i f f s , J o h n

S m i t h a n d h i s m o t h e r , M a r g a r e t Sm i t h , c l a i m t h a t M a r g a r e t

S m i t h ' s f a l l a t L o r i n g H o s p i t a l o n M a r c h 5, 2010, was t h e r e s u l t

o f n e g l i g e n c e o f L o r i n g H o s p i t a l . P l a i n t i f f , M a r g a r e t Sm i t h ,

a l l e g e s s h e h a s s u s t a i n e d i n j u r y a n d s u f f e r e d d am a g es a s a

r e s u l t o f t h e a l l e g e d n e g l i g e n c e o f L o r i n g H o s p i t a l . P l a i n t i f f ,

J o h n S m i t h , c l a i m s t h a t h e h a s s u f f e r e d a l o s s o f c o n s o r t i u m

b e c a u s e o f t h e a l l e g e d n e g l i g e n c e o f L o r i n g H o s p i t a l .

D e f e n d a n t , L o r i n g H o s p i t a l , d e n i e s t h a t i t w as

n e g l i g e n t , t h a t i t s n e g l i g e n c e w as t h e c a u s e o f M a r g a r e t Sm i t h ' s

f a l l , a n d t h a t i s w as t h e c a u s e o f a n y d a ma g es t o t h e

P l a i n t i f f s .

Do n o t c o n s i d e r t h i s summary as p r o o f o f a ny c l a i m .

D e c i d e t h e f a c t s f r o m t h e e v i d e n c e a n d a p p l y t h e l a w w h i c h I

w i l l no w g i v e y o u .

2




Th e t r i a l w i l l p r o c e e d i n the f o l l o w i n g o r d e r :

A f t e r I c o n c l u d e t h e se p r e l i m i n a r y i n s t r u c t i o n s , the

p l a i n t i f f s ' l a w y e r s may make an o p e n i n g s t a t e m e n t . N e x t , the

l a w y e r s f o r the d e f e n d a n t s may make an o p e n i n g st a t e m e n t . An

o p e n i n g s t a t e me n t i s not e v i d e n c e but i s s i m p l y a summary of

w h a t the l a w y e r s e x p e c t the e v i d e n c e to be.

Th e p l a i n t i f f s w i l l t h e n p r e se n t e v i d e n c e and c o u n s e l for

t h e d e f e n d a n t s may c r o s s - e x a m i n e . F o l l o w i n g the p l a i n t i f f s '

c a s e , the d e f e n d a n t s may p r e s e n t e v i d e n c e and p l a i n t i f f s '

c o u n s e l may c r o s s - e x a m i n e . F o l l o w i n g the d e f e n d a n t s ' c a s e , the

p l a i n t i f f s may p r e s e n t f u r t h e r e v i d e n c e , c a l l e d " r e b u t t a l "

e v i d e n c e , to c h a l l e n g e the d e f e n d a n t s' e v i d e n c e .

A f t e r the p a r t i e s h a v e p r e s e n t e d t h e i r c a s e s and the

p l a i n t i f f s h a v e p r e s e n t e d any r e b u t t a l e v i d e n c e , I w i l l f u r t h e r

i n s t r u c t you on the law t h a t you are to a p p l y i n r e a c h i n g y o u r

v e r d i c t .

A f t e r p r e s e n t a t i o n of the e v i d e n c e i s c o m p l e t e d and I h a v e

f u r t h e r i n s t r u c t e d you on the l a w , the l a w y e r s w i l l make t h e i r

c l o s i n g a r g u m e n t s to s umm ar i z e and i n t e r p r e t the e v i d e n c e for

y o u . As w i t h o p e n i n g s t a t e m e n t s , c l o s i n g a r g u m e n t s are not

e v i d e n c e . You w i l l t h e n r e t i r e to d e l i b e r a t e y o u r v e r d i c t .

3




I t w i l l be y o u r d u t y t o d e c i d e f ro m t h e e v i d e n c e w h a t t h e

f a c t s a r e . Yo u , a nd y o u a l o n e , a r e t h e j u d g e s o f t h e f a c t s .

Yo u w i l l h e a r t h e e v i d e n c e , d e c i d e w h a t t h e f a s t s ar e a n d t h e n

a p p l y t h o s e f a c t s t o t h e l aw t h a t I g i v e y o u i n t h e s e

p r e l i m i n a r y i n s t r u c t i o n s a n d i n t h e f i n a l i n s t r u c t i o n s a t t h e

c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e c as e . Yo u w i l l t h e n d e l i b e r a t e a nd r e a c h y o u r

v e r d i c t . Yo u ar e t h e s o l e j u d g e s o f t h e f a c t s ; b u t y o u must

f o l l o w t h e l a w a s s t a t e d i n my i n s t r u c t i o n s , w h e t h e r y o u a g r e e

o r n o t .

Yo u h a v e b e e n c h o s e n and s w o r n as j u r o r s i n t h i s c a s e t o

t r y t h e i s s u e s o f f a c t p r e s e n t e d by t h e p a r t i e s . You a re t o

p e r f o r m t h i s d u t y w i t h o u t b i a s o r p r e j u d i c e a s t o any p a r t y .

Our system o f la w d o e s n o t p e r m i t j u r o r s t o be g o v e r n e d by

s y m p a t h y , p r e j u d i c e o r p u b l i c o p i n i o n .

Th e c a s e s h o u l d be c o n s i d e r e d a n d d e c i d e d by y o u as an

a c t i o n b e t w e e n p e r so n s o f e q u a l s t a n d i n g i n t h e c o m m u n i t y , o f

e q u a l w o r t h , an d h o l d i n g t h e same o r s i m i l a r s t a t i o n s o f l i f e .

A l l p e r s o n s a r e s t a t e d e q u a l b e f o r e t h e l a w a n d a r e t o be d e a l t

w i t h a s e q u a l s i n t h i s c o u r t .

Yo u s h o u l d n o t t a k e a n y t h i n g I s ay o r do d u r i n g t h e t r i a l

as i n d i c a t i n g w h a t I t h i n k o f t h e e v i d e n c e o r w h a t y o u r v e r d i c t

s h o u l d b e .

4




Yo u s h a l l b as e y o u r v e r d i c t o n l y u p o n t h e e v i d e n c e a n d

t h e s e i n s t r u c t i o n s .

Ev i d e n c e i s :

1. T e s t i m o n y i n p e r s o n o r b y d e p o s i t i o n .

2 . . E x h i b i t s r e c e i v e d , by . t h e . c o u r t .

3. S t i p u l a t i o n s w h i c h a r e a g r e e m e n t s be t w e e n t h e a t t o r n e y s .

4. Any o t h e r m a t t e r a d m i t t e d ( e . g . a n s w e r s t o

i n t e r r o g a t o r i e s , m a t t e r s w h i c h j u d i c i a l n o t i c e w as t a k e n ,

a nd e t c . ) .

E v i d e n c e may be d i r e c t o r c i r c u m s t a n t i a l . Th e w e i g h t t o be

g i v e n a n y e v i d e n c e i s f o r y o u t o d e c i d e .

S o m e t i m e s, d u r i n g a t r i a l , r e f e r e n c e s a r e made t o p r e - t r i a l

s t a t e m e n t s a n d r e p o r t s , w i t n e s s e s' d e p o s i t i o n s , o r o t h e r

m i s c e l l a n e o u s i t e m s. O n l y t h o se t h i n g s f o r m a l l y o f f e r e d a n d

r e c e i v e d by t h e c o u r t a r e a v a i l a b l e t o y o u d u r i n g y o ur

d e l i b e r a t i o n s . D o c u m e n t s o r i t e m s r e a d f r o m o r r e f e r r e d t o

w h i c h w e re n o t o f f e r e d a n d r e c e i v e d i n t o e v i d e n c e , a r e n o t

a v a i l a b l e t o y o u .

Th e f o l l o w i n g a r e n o t e v i d e n c e :

1. S t a t e m e n t s , a r g u m e n t s , q u e s t i o n s a n d c o m me n t s b y t h el a w y e r s .

2. O b j e c t i o n s a n d r u l i n g s o n o b j e c t i o n s .

3. An y t e s t i m o n y I t o l d y o u t o d i s r e g a r d .

5



PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTION NO. 5 ( c o n t i n u e d )

4. A n y t h i n g y o u sa w o r h e a r d a b o u t t h i s c a se o u t s i d e t h e

c o u r t r o o m .

5. D o c u m e n t s o r i t e ms r e a d f r o m o r r e f e r r e d t o . w h i c h w e r en o t o f f e r e d a n d r e c e i v e d i n t o e v i d e n c e

6



PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTION N O . 6

I n d e c i d i n g w h a t t h e f a c t s a r e , y o u m a y h a v e t o d e c i d e w h a t

t e s t i m o n y y o u b e l i e v e a n d w h a t t e s t i m o n y y o u d o n o t b e l i e v e .

Y o u m a y b e l i e v e a l l o f w h a t a w i t n e s s s a y s , o r o n l y p a r t o f i t ,

o r n o n e o f i t .

I n d e c i d i n g w h a t t e s t i m o n y t o b e l i e v e , c o n s i d e r t h e

w i t n e s s e s ' i n t e l l i g e n c e , t h e i r o p p o r t u n i t y t o h a v e s e e n o r h e a r d

t h e t h i n g s t h e y t e s t i f y a b o u t , t h e i r m e m o r i e s , t h e m o t i v e t h e y

m a y h a v e f o r t e s t i f y i n g a c e r t a i n w a y , t h e i r m a n n e r w h i l e

t e s t i f y i n g , w h e t h e r t h e y s a i d s o m e t h i n g d i f f e r e n t a t a n e a r l i e r

t i m e , t h e g e n e r a l r e a s o n a b l e n e s s o f t h e i r t e s t i m o n y a n d t h e

e x t e n t t o w h i c h t h e i r t e s t i m o n y i s c o n s i s t e n t w i t h o t h e r

e v i d e n c e t h a t y o u b e l i e v e .

I n d e c i d i n g w h e t h e r o r n o t t o b e l i e v e a w i t n e s s , k e e p i n

m i n d t h a t p e o p l e s o m e t i m e s h e a r o r s e e t h i n g s d i f f e r e n t l y a n d

s o m e t i m e s f o r g e t t h i n g s . Y o u n e e d t o c o n s i d e r t h e r e f o r e w h e t h e r

a c o n t r a d i c t i o n i s a n i n n o c e n t l y m i s t a k e n r e c o l l e c t i o n o r l a p s e

i n memory o r a n i n t e n t i o n a l f a l s e h o o d , a n d t h a t m a y d e p e n d o n

w h e t h e r i t h a s t o d o w i t h a n i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r o n l y a s m a l l

d e t a i l .

7




W h e n e v e r a p a r t y must p r o v e so m e t h i n g t h e y must do so by a

" p r ep o n d e ra n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e " u n l e s s I i n s t r u c t y o u

d i f f e r e n t l y .

To p r o v e s o m e t h i n g by a " p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e "

m e a n s t o p r o v e t h a t so m et h i n g i s more l i k e l y t r u e t h a n n o t t r u e .

I n o t h e r w o r d s , p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e i n t h e c a s e m e a n s

s u c h e v i d e n c e , w h e n c o n s i d e r e d a n d c o m p a r e d w i t h t h a t o p p o s e d t o

i t , h a s more c o n v i n c i n g f o r c e , a nd p r o d u c e s i n y o u r m i n d s b e l i e f

t h a t w h a t i s so u g h t t o be p r o v e n i s more l i k e l y t r u e t h a n n o t

t r u e .

Th e " p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e " d o e s n o t d e p e n d u p o n

t h e number o f w i t n e s s e s t e s t i f y i n g on one s i d e o r t h e o t h e r .

I n d e t e r m i n i n g w h e t h e r a n y f a c t i n i s s u e h a s b e e n p r o v e n b y

t h e " p r e p o n d e r a n c e o f t h e e v i d e n c e , " y o u may, u n l e s s o t h e r w i s e

i n s t r u c t e d , c o n s i d e r t h e t e s t i m o n y o f a l l w i t n e s s e s , r e g a r d l e s s

o f who may h a v e c a l l e d t h e m an d a l l e x h i b i t s r e c e i v e d i n t o

e v i d e n c e , r e g a r d l e s s o f w ho may h a v e . p r o d u c e d t h e m .

8




From t i m e to t i m e d u r i n g the t r i a l I may be c a l l e d u p o n to

make r u l i n g s of law on o b j e c t i o n s or m o t i o n s made by the

l a w y e r s . It i s the d u t y of the l a w y e r f o r e a c h p a r t y to o b j e c t

w h e n a n o t h e r p a r t y o f f e r s t e s t i m o n y or o t h e r e v i d e n c e w h i c h the

l a w y e r b e l i e v e s i s not p r o p e r l y a d m i s s i b l e . You s h o u l d not show

p r e j u d i c e a g a i n s t a l a w y e r or the p a r t y t h e y r e p r e s e n t b e c a u s e

t h e l a w y e r has made o b j e c t i o n s . You s h o u l d not i n f e r or

c o n c l u d e f ro m any r u l i n g or o t h e r comment I may make t h a t I h a v e

o p i n i o n s on the m e r i t s of the c a s e f a v o r i n g one s i d e or the

o t h e r . And i f I s u s t a i n an o b j e c t i o n to a q u e s t i o n t h a t g o e s

u n a n s w e r e d by the w i t n e s s , you s h o u l d not dra w any i n f e r e n c e s or

c o n c l u s i o n s f r o m the q u e s t i o n i t s e l f .

9




D u r i n g t h e t r i a l i t may be n e c e s s a r y f o r me t o t a l k w i t h

t h e l a w y e r s o u t o f y o u r h e a r i n g , e i t h e r by h a v i n g a b e n c h

c o n f e r e n c e h e r e w h i l e y o u a r e p r e s e n t i n t h e c o u r t r o o m , o r b y

c a l l i n g a r e c e s s . P l e a s e u n d e r st a n d t h a t w h i l e y o u a r e w a i t i n g ,

we a r e w o r k i n g . Th e p u r p o s e o f t h e s e c o n f e r e n c e s i s t o d e c i d e

h o w c e r t a i n e v i d e n c e i s t o be t r e a t e d u n d e r t h e r u l e s o f

e v i d e n c e , a n d t o a v o i d c o n f u s i o n a n d e r r o r . We w i l l , o f c o u r s e ,

d o w h a t we c a n t o k e e p t h e n u mbe r a n d l e n g t h o f t h e s e

c o n f e r e n c e s t o a m i n i m u m.

10




I f y o u w a nt t o t a k e n o t e s d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f t h e t r i a l

y o u may d o s o . Ho w e v e r, i t i s d i f f i c u l t t o t a k e d e t a i l e d n o t e s

a n d p a y a t t e n t i o n t o w h at t h e w i t n e s s e s are- s a y i n g a t t h e same

t i m e . I f y o u d o t a k e n o t e s , be s u re t h a t y o u r n o t e t a k i n g d o e s

n o t i n t e r f e r e w i t h y o u . l i s t e n i n g t o a nd c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f a l l t h e

e v i d e n c e . A l s o , i f y o u d o t a k e n o t e s , d o n o t d i s c u s s t h e m w i t h

a n y o n e b e f o r e y o u b e g i n d e l i b e r a t i o n s . D o n o t t a k e t h e n o t e s

w i t h y o u a t t h e e n d o f t h e d a y . Be s ure t o l e a v e t h e m o n y o u r

c h a i r i n t h e c o u r t r o o m . Th e c o u r t a t t e n d a n t w i l l s a f e g u a r d t h e

n o t e s a t t h e e n d o f t h e d a y a n d e n s u r e t h a t t h e y r e m a i n

c o n f i d e n t i a l . No one w i l l r e a d t h em. The n o t e s w i l l rema i n

c o n f i d e n t i a l t h r o u g h o u t t h e t r i a l a n d w i l l be d e s t r o y e d a t t h e

c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e t r i a l .

I f y o u c h o o s e n o t t o t a k e n o t e s , re me mbe r i t i s y o u r o wn

i n d i v i d u a l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o l i s t e n c a r e f u l l y t o t h e e v i d e n c e .

Yo u c a n n o t g i v e t h i s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o so me o n e w ho i s t a k i n g

n o t e s . We d e p e n d o n t h e j u d g m e n t o f a l l members o f t h e j u r y ;

y o u must a l l remember t h e e v i d e n c e i n t h i s c a s e . W h e t h e r o r n o t

y o u t a k e n o t e s , y o u s h o u l d r e l y o n y o u r own memory r e g a r d i n g

w h a t w a s s a i d . Y o u r n o t e s a r e n o t e v i d e n c e i n t h i s c a s e . A

j u r o r ' s n o t e s a r e n o t more r e l i a b l e t h a n t h e memory o f a n o t h e r

j u r o r w h o c h o o s e s t o c a r e f u l l y c o n s i d e r t h e e v i d e n c e w i t h o u t

t a k i n g n o t e s . Yo u s h o u l d n o t be o v e r l y i n f l u e n c e d b y t h e n o t e s .

11




Y o u w i l l n o t i c e t h a t we d o h a v e a n o f f i c i a l c o u r t r e p o r t e r

m a k i n g a r e c o r d o f t h i s t r i a l . H o w e v e r , w e w i l l . n o t h a v e

t y p e w r i t t e n t r a n s c r i p t s o f t h i s r e c o r d a v a i l a b l e f o r u se i n

r e a c h i n g y o u r d e c i s i o n s i n t h i s c a s e .

12



PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTION N O . 1 1

Y o u m a y n o t c o m m u n i c a t e a b o u t t h i s c a s e b e f o r e r e a c h i n g

y o u r v e r d i c t . T h i s i n c l u d e s c e l l p h o n e s , a n d e l e c t r o n i c m e d i a

s u c h a s t e x t m e ss a g e s , F a c e b o o k , M y S p a c e , L i n k e d l n , Y o u T u b e ,

T w i t t e r , e m a i l , e t c .

D o n o t d o a n y r e s e a r c h o r make a n y i n v e s t i g a t i o n a b o u t t h i s

c a s e o n y o u r o w n . D o n o t v i s i t o r v i e w a n y p l a c e d i s c u s s e d i n

t h i s c a s e , a n d d o n o t u s e I n t e r n e t maps o r G o o g l e E a r t h o r a n y

o t h e r p r o g r a m o r d e v i c e t o s e a r c h f o r o r t o v i e w a n y p l a c e

d i s c u s s e d i n t h e t e s t i m o n y . A l s o , d o n o t r e s e a r c h a n y

i n f o r m a t i o n a b o u t t h i s c a s e , t h e l a w , o r t h e p e o p l e i n v o l v e d ,

i n c l u d i n g t h e p a r t i e s , t h e w i t n e s s e s , t h e l a w y e r s , o r t h e j u d g e .

T h i s i n c l u d e s u s i n g t h e I n t e r n e t t o r e s e a r c h e v e n t s o r p e o p l e

r e f e r e n c e d i n t h e t r i a l .

T h i s c a s e w i l l b e t r i e d o n e v i d e n c e p r e s e n t e d i n t h e

c o u r t r o o m . I f y o u c o n d u c t i n d e p e n d e n t r e s e a r c h , y o u w i l l b e

r e l y i n g o n m a t t e r s n o t p r e s e n t e d i n c o u r t . T h e p a r t i e s h a v e a

r i g h t t o h a v e t h i s c a s e d e c i d e d o n t h e e v i d e n c e t h e y know a b o u t

a n d t h a t h a s b e e n i n t r o d u c e d h e r e i n c o u r t . I f y o u d o some

r e s e a r c h o r i n v e s t i g a t i o n o r e x p e r i m e n t t h a t w e d o n o t know

a b o u t , t h e n y o u r v e r d i c t m a y b e i n f l u e n c e d b y i n a c c u r a t e ,

i n c o m p l e t e o r . m i s l e a d i n g i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t h a s n o t b e e n t e s t e d b y

t h e t r i a l p r o c e s s , i n c l u d i n g t h e o a t h t o t e l l t h e t r u t h a n d b y

c r o s s - e x a m i n a t i o n . A l l o f t h e p a r t i e s a r e e n t i t l e d t o a f a i r

1 3




t r i a l , r e n d e r e d by an i m p a r t i a l j u r y , a n d y o u m ust c o n d u c t

y o u r s e l f so as t o m a i n t a i n t h e i n t e g r i t y o f t h e t r i a l p r o c e s s .

I f y o u d e c i d e a c a s e b a s e d o n i n f o r m a t i o n n o t p r e s e n t e d i n "

c o u r t , y o u w i l l h a v e d e n i e d t h e p a r t i e s a f a i r t r i a l i n

a c c o r da n c e w i t h t h e r u l e s o f t h i s s t a t e a n d y o u w i l l h a v e d o n e

a n i n j u s t i c e . I t i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t h a t y o u a b i d e by t h e s e

r u l e s . [ F a i l u r e t o f o l l o w t h e s e i n s t r u c t i o n s may r e s u l t i n . t h e

c a se h a v i n g t o be r e t r i e d a n d c o u l d r e s u l t i n y o u b e i n g h e l d i n

c o n t e m p t a n d p u n i s h e d . ]

I t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t w e h a v e y o u r f u l l a n d u n d i v i d e d

a t t e n t i o n d u r i n g t h i s t r i a l .

D a t e d t h i s day o f Sep te mber, 2013.

Thomas J . B i c e

D i s t r i c t C o u r t J u d g e

14



2RCV12IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR SAC COUNTY

MARGARET SMITHJOHN W SMITH,

Plaintiff,

vs.

LORING HOSPITAL,

Defendant.

Case No. 02811 LACV019319

COURT REPORTERMEMORANDUM AND CERTIFICATE

COURT REPORTER MEMORANDUM

(The court reporter shall file this memorandum with the district court clerk.)

Appearances: For Plaintiff/Petitioner: PatrickFor Defendant/Respondent: John GrayOther:

Information required by Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure 1.903(3): I, Tara Gibson, am providing the following information as required by Iowa Rule of Civil Procedure1.903(3):

1. The type of proceeding that was reported: Jury trial

2. The date(s) on which the proceeding occurred: September 26, 20133. The name of the court reporter who reported the proceeding: Tara Gibson4. The name of the judge who presided over the proceeding: Thomas Bice5. The reporting fee for the proceeding: $40.006. We, the undersigned judge before whom the above-entitled case was tried, and the official court

reporter who, by order of the Court, reported the same, do hereby certify that the above and foregoingis the report of the whole proceedings upon the trial and/or hearing of the above-entitled cause madeand taken pursuant to the order and direction of the Court, in accordance with Iowa Code Section624.10.

/s/Tara Gibson1 of 3

E-FILED 2013 SEP 27 7:20 AM SAC - CLERK OF DISTRICT COURT



_________________________________________

2 of 3




State of Iowa Courts

Case Number Case TitleLACV019319 MARGARET SMITH & JOHN SMITH VS LORING HOSPITAL

Type: COURT REPORTER MEMORANDUM AND CERTIFICATE

So Ordered

Electronically signed on 2013-09-27 07:19:58

3 of 3




IN THE IOWA DISTRICT COURT FOR SAC COUNTY

MARGARET SMITH and

JOHN SMITH,


v s .

LORING HOSPITAL,

D e f e n d a n t .

No. LACV019319

,-n-o

r o

33:

co

INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY

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INSTRUCTION NO. 1

My d u t y i s to t e l l you what the law i s . Y o u r d u t y i s to

a c c e p t and a p p l y t h i s law.

You m u s t c o n s i d e r a l l ofthe i n s t r u c t i o n s t o g e t h e r b e c a u s e

no one i n s t r u c t i o n i n c l u d e s a l l ofthe a p p l i c a b l e law.

The o r d e r i nw h i c h I g i v e t h e s e i n s t r u c t i o n s i s not

i m p o r t a n t .

Y o u r d u t y i s to d e c id e a l l f a c t q u e s t i o n s .

Do notbe i n f l u e n c e d by any p e r s o n a l l i k e s or d i s l i k e s ,

s y m p a t h y , b i a s , p r e j u d i c e s or e m o t i o n s .



INSTRUCTION NO. 2

C e r t a i n t e s t i m o n y h a s b e e n r e a d i n t o e v i d e n c e f r o m a

d e p o s i t i o n . A d e p o s i t i o n i s t e s t i m on y t a k e n u n d e r o a t h b e f o r e

t h e t r i a l a n d p r e s e r v e d i n w r i t i n g . C o n s i d e r t h a t t e s t i m o n y a s

i f i t h a d b e e n g i v e n i n c o u r t .



INSTRUCTION NO. 3

C o u n s e l h a s s t i p u l a t e d t h a t i f D r . D a n i e l K e n s in g e r w e r e

c a l l e d a s a w i t n e s s he w o u l d t e s t i f y a s s t i p u l a t e d . C o n s i d e r

t h e s t i p u l a t e d t e s t i m o n y a s i f i t h a d b e e n g i v e n i n c o u r t .



INSTR UCTION NO. 4

You h a v e h e a r d t e s t i m o n y f r o m p e r s on s d e s c r i b e d a s e x p e r t s .

P e r s o n s who h a v e be c ome e x p e r t s i n a f i e l d b e c a u s e o f t h e i r

e d u c a t i o n a n d e x p e r i e n c e may g i v e t h e i r o p i n i o n on m a t t e r s i n

t h a t f i e l d a n d t h e r e a s o n s f o r t h e i r o p i n i o n .

C o n s i d e r e x p e r t t e s t i m o n y j u s t l i k e a n y o t h e r t e s t i m o n y .

You may a c c e p t i t o r r e j e c t i t . You may g i v e i t a s mu ch w e i g h t

as y o u t h i n k i t d e s e r v e s , c o n s i d e r i n g t h e w it n e s s ' e d u c a t i on a n d

e x p e r i e n c e , t h e r e a s o n s g i v e n f o r t h e o p i n i o n , a n d a l l t h e o t h e r

e v i d e n c e i n t h e c a s e .



INSTRUCTION NO. 5

An e x p e r t w it n e s s was a s k e d t o a s s u m e c e r t a i n f a c t s w e r e

t r u e a n d t o g i v e a n o p i n i o n b a s e d on t h a t a s s u m p t i o n . T h i s i s

c a l l e d a h y p o t h e t i c a l q u e s t i o n . I f a n y f a c t a s s u me d i n t h e

q u e s t i o n h a s n o t b e e n p r o v e d b y t h e e v i d e n c e , y ou s h o u l d d e c i d e

i f t h a t om i s s i o n a f f e c t s t h e v a l u e o f t h e o p i n i o n .



INSTRUCTION NO. 6

Y o u h a v e h e a r d e v i d e n c e c l a i m i n g c e r t a i n p a r t i e s made

s t a t e m e n t s b e f o r e t h i s t r i a l w h i l e u n d e r o a t h .

I f you f i n d s u c h a s t a t e m e n t was made, you may r e g a r d the

s t a t e m e n t s as e v i d e n c e in t h i s c a s e the same as i f t h e s e p a r t i e s

ha d made th em u n d e r o a t h d u r i n g the t r i a l .

I f you f i n d s u c h s t a t e m e n t s w e r e made and w e r e i n c o n s i s t e n t

w i t h t h e s e c e r t a i n p a r t i e s ' t e s t i m o n y d u r i n g the t r i a l you may

a l s o use the s t a t e m e n t s as a b a s i s f o r d i s r e g a r d i n g a l l or any

p a r t of t h e s e c e r t a i n p a r t i e s ' t e s t i m o n y d u r i n g the t r i a l but

y ou are not r e q u i r e d to do so. You s h o u l d not d i s r e g a r d t h e s e

c e r t a i n p a r t i e s ' t e s t i m o n y d u r i n g the t r i a l i f o t h e r c r e d i b l e

e v i d e n c e s u p p o r t s i t or i f you b e l i e v e i t f o r any o t h e r r e a s o n .



INSTR UCTION NO. 7

The P l a i n t i f f s m u s t p r o v e a l l o f t h e f o l l o w i n g

p r o p o s i t i o n s :

1. The D e f e n d a n t was n e g l i g e n t i n o ne o r mo re o f t h e f o l l o w i n g

w a y s :

a. I n f a i l i n g t o p l a c e M a r g a r e t S m i t h a t t h e a p p r o p r i a t e

r i s k f o r f a l l i n g .

b. I n c h o o s i n g n o t t o p u t c e r t a i n s a f e f a l l p r o t e c t i o n

m e a s u r e s i n t o p l a c e t o p r e v e n t M a r g a r e t Sm i t h f r o m

f a l l i n g .

2. The n e g l i g e n c e was a c a u s e o f d a ma g e t o M a r g a r e t S mi t h .

3. The a mo u n t of d a ma g e .

I f t h e P l a i n t i f f s h a v e f a i l e d t o p r o v e a n y o f t h e s e

p r o p o s i t i o n s , t h e P l a i n t i f f s a r e n ot e n t i t l e d t o d a ma g e s . I f

t h e P l a i n t i f f s h a v e p r o v e d a l l o f t h e s e p r o p o s i t i o n s , t h e

P l a i n t i f f s a r e e n t i t l e d t o d a ma g e s i n some a m o u n t .



INSTRUCTION NO. 8

" N e g l i g e n c e " m e a n s f a i l u r e t o u s e o r d i n a r y c a r e . Or d i n a r y

c a r e i s t h e c a r e w h i c h a r e a s o n a b l y c a r e f u l p e r s o n w o u l d u s e

u n d e r s i m i l a r c i r c u m s t a n c e s . " N e g l i g e n c e " i s d o i n g s o m e t h i n g a

r e a s o n a b l y c a r e f u l p e r s o n w o u l d n o t d o u n d e r s i m i l a r

c i r c u m s t a n c e s , o r f a i l i n g t o d o s o m e t h i n g a r e a s o n a b l y c a r e f u l

p e r s o n w o u l d d o u n d e r s i m i l a r c i r c u m s t a n c e s .



INSTRUCTION NO. 9

H o s p i t a l n u r s e s m u s t u s e t h e d e g r e e o f s k i l l , c a r e a n d

l e a r n i n g o r d i n a r i l y p o s s e s s e d a n d e x e r c i s e d b y o t h e r h o s p i t a l

n u r s e s i n s i m i l a r c i r c u m s t a n c e s .

A v i o l a t i o n o f t h i s d u t y i s n e g l i g e n c e .



INSTR UCTION NO. 10

A h o s p i t a l m u s t u s e t h e d e g r e e o f o r d i n a r y c a r e a n d

a t t e n t i o n t h a t t h e k n o wn m e n t a l a n d p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n o f a

p a t i e n t r e q u i r e s .

A v i o l a t i o n o f t h i s d u t y i s n e g l i g e n c e .



INSTRUCTION NO. 11

The h o s p i t a l i s l i a b l e f o r t h e n e g l i g e n t a c t s o f i t s n u r s e s

i f t h e a c t s a r e d on e i n t h e s c o p e o f t h e i r e m p l o y m e n t .



INSTRUC TION NO. 12

The c o n d u c t o f a p a r t y i s a c a u s e o f d a m a g e w he n t h e d a m ag e

w o u l d n o t h a v e h a p p e n e d e x c e p t f o r t h e c o n d u c t .



INSTRUC TION NO. 13

The mere f a c t t h a t a n a c c i d e n t o c c u r r e d o r a p a r t y was

i n j u r e d d o e s n o t mean a p a r t y was n e g l i g e n t o r a t f a u l t .



INSTRUCTION NO. 14

I f y ou f i n d P l a i n t i f f M a r g a r e t S m it h i s e n t i t l e d t o r e c o v e r

d ama ge s, i t i s y o u r d u t y t o d e t e r m i n e t h e a m o u n t s . I n d o i n g s o

y ou s h a l l c o n s i d e r t h e f o l l o w i n g i t e m s :

1. The r e a s o n a b l e v a l u e o f n e c e s s a r y h o s p i t a l c h a r g e s , d o c t o r

c h a r g e s a n d p r e s c r i p t i o n s f r o m t h e d a t e o f i n j u r y t o t h e

p r e s e n t t i m e i n t h e a m o u n t of $27,227.24.

2. L o s s o f f u n c t i o n o f t h e mi n d a n d bo d y f r o m t h e d a t e o f

i n j u r y t o t h e p r e s e n t t i m e . L o s s o f m i n d a n d b o d y i s t h e

i n a b i l i t y o f a p a r t i c u l a r p a r t o f t h e m i n d o r b o d y t o

f u n c t i o n i n a n o r m a l m a n n e r .

3. The p r e s e n t v a l u e o f f u t u r e l o s s o f t h e m i n d a n d b o d y .

4. P h y s i c a l a n d m e n t al p a i n a n d s u f f e r i n g f r o m t h e d a t e o f

i n j u r y t o t h e p r e s e n t t im e . P h y s i c a l p a i n a n d s u f f e r i n g ma y

i n c l u d e , b u t i s n o t l i m i t e d t o , b o d i l y s u f f e r i n g o f

d i s c o m f o r t . M e n t a l p a i n a n d s u f f e r i n g may i n c l u d e , b u t i s

n ot l i m i t e d t o , m e n t a l a n g u i s h o r l o s s o f e n j o y m e n t o f

l i f e .

The a mo u n t y ou a s s e s s f o r p h y s i c a l a n d m e n t a l p a i n a n d

s u f f e r i n g i n t h e p a s t a n d f u t u r e , f u t u r e e a r n i n g c a p a c i t y , a n d

l o s s o f f u n c t i o n o f t h e m i n d a n d b o d y i n t h e p a s t a n d f u t u r e

c a n n o t b e m e a s u r e d b y a n y e x a c t o r m a t he m a t i c a l s t a n d a r d . You

m u s t u s e y o u r s o u n d j u d g m e nt b a s e d u p o n a n i m p a r t i a l

c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f t h e e v i d e n c e . Y o u r j u d g m e n t mu s t n o t be

e x e r c i s e d a r b i t r a r i l y , o r ou t o f s y m p a t h y o r p r e j u d i c e , f o r or

a g a i n s t t h e p a r t i e s . The a m o u n t y ou a s s e s s f o r a ny i t e m o f

d am a g e m u s t n o t e x c e e d t h e a mo u n t c a u s e d b y t h e d e f e n d a n t a s

p r o v e d b y t h e e v i d e n c e .



INSTRUCTION NO. 14 ( c o n t i n u e d )

F u t u r e d a m a g e s m u s t be r e d u c e d to p r e s e n t v a l u e . " P r e s e n t

v a l u e " i s a sum of money p a i d not i na d v a n c e w h i c h , t o g e t h e r

w i t h i n t e r e s t e a r n e d at a r e a s o n a b l e r a t e of r e t u r n , w i l l

c o m p e n s a t e the P l a i n t i f f f o r f u t u r e e c o n o m i c l o s s e s .

A p a r t y c a n n o t r e c o v e r d u p l i c a t e d a m a g e s . Do not a l l o w

a mo u n t s a w a r d e d u n d e r one i t e m of d am a g e to be i n c l u d e d i n any

a mo u n t a w a rd e d u n d e r a n o t h e r i t e m of d a m a g e . S i m i l a r l y , d a m a g e s

a w a r d e d to one p a r t y s h a l l not be i n c l u d e d i n any a m o u n t a w a r d e d

t o a n o t h e r p a r t y .

Ad d t o g e t h e r the a mo u n t s , i f a n y , you f i n d f o r e a c h of the

a b o v e i t e m s and the t o t a l w i l l be u s e d to a n s w e r the s p e c i a l

v e r d i c t s .



INSTR UCTION NO. 15

I f y o u f i n d M a r g a r e t S m it h h a d a h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n b e f o r e

t h i s i n c i d e n t a n d t h i s c o n d i t i o n was a g g r a v a t e d o r made a c t i v e

by t h i s i n c i d e n t c a u s i n g f u r t h e r s u f f e r i n g a n d d i s a b i l i t y t h e n

s he i s e n t i t l e d t o r e c o v e r d a m a g e s c a u s e d b y t h e a g g r a v a t i o n .

She i s n o t e n t i t l e d t o r e c o v e r f o r a n y p h y s i c a l a i l m e n t o r

d i s a b i l i t y w h i c h e x i s t e d b e f o r e t h i s i n c i d e n t o r f o r a n y

i n j u r i e s o r d a m a g e s w h i c h s he n ow ha s w h i c h w e r e n o t c a u s e d b y

t h e D e f e n d a n t ' s a c t i o n s .



INSTR UCTION NO. 16

I f M a r g a r e t S mi t h h a d a h e a l t h c o n d i t i o n m a k i n g h e r mo r e

s u s c e p t i b l e t o i n j u r y t h a n a p e r s o n i n n o r m a l h e a l t h , t h e n t h e

d e f e n d a n t i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r a l l i n j u r i e s a n d d a m a g e s w h i c h a r e

e x p e r i e n c e d b y M a r g a r e t Sm i t h t h a t a r e c a u s e d b y D e f e n d a n t ' s

a c t i o n s , e v e n t h o u g h t h e i n j u r i e s c l a i m e d p ro du c e a g r e a t e r

i n j u r y t h a n t h o s e wh i c h m ig h t h a v e b e e n e x p e r i e n c e d b y a n o r m a l

p e r s o n u n d er t h e s a me c i r c u m s t a n c e s .



INSTRUC TION NO. 17

A S t a n d a r d M o r t a l i t y T a b l e i n d i c a t e s t h e n o r m a l l i f e

e x p e c t a n c y o f p e o p l e who a r e t h e s a me a g e a s M a r g a r e t Sm it h i s

3.18 y e a r s . The s t a t i s t i c s f r o m a S t a n d a r d M o r t a l i t y T a b l e a r e

n ot c o n c l u s i v e . Y o u ma y u s e t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n , t o g e t h e r w i t h a l l

t h e o t h e r e v i d e n c e a b o u t M a r g a r e t S mi t h ' s h e a l t h , h a b i t s ,

o c c u p a t i o n , a n d l i f e s t y l e , when d e c i d i n g i s s u e s o f f u t u r e

d a m a g e s .



INSTRUCTION NO. 18

" P a r e n t a l c o n s o r t i u m " i s t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n p a r e n t

and c h i l d and th e r i g h t of th e c h i l d t o the b e n e f i t s o f

c o m p a n i o n s h i p , c o m f o r t , g u i d a n c e , a f f e c t i o n , t h e a i d o f t h e

p a r e n t i n e v e r y p a r e n t a l r e l a t i o n , g e n e r a l u s e f u l n e s s , i n d u s t r y

a n d a t t e n t i o n w i t h i n t he f a m i l y . I t d o e s n ot i n c l u d e t h e l o s s

o f f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t f r o m t h e i n j u r e d p a r e n t , n or m e n t a l a n g u i s h

c a u s e d b y t h e p a r e n t ' s i n j u r y .

I f y ou f i n d John Smith, a s th e so n o f M ar g ar et Smi th, i s

e n t i t l e d t o r e c o v e r d a m a g e s , i t i s y o u r d u t y t o d e t e r m i n e t h e

a m o u n t . In do i n g so you s h a l l c o n s i d e r t he f o l l o w i n g i t e m s ;

1. The r e a s o n a b l e v a l u e of l o s s o f p a r e n t a l c o n s o r t i u m w hic h

John Smith w o u l d o t h e r w i s e h a v e r e c e i v e d f r om t he d a t e o f

i n j u r y u n t i l t h e p r e s e n t t i m e .

2. The p r e s e n t v a l u e o f l o s s o f p a r e n t a l c o n s o r t i u m w hi c h John

Smith w o u l d o t h e r w i s e h a v e r e c e i v e d i n t he f u t u r e .

A c h i l d i s n ot e n t i t l e d t o d a m a g e s f o r l o s s of p a r e n t a l

c o n s o r t i u m u n l e s s t h e i n j u r y t o t h e p a r e n t ha s c a u s e d a

s i g n i f i c a n t d i s r u p t i o n o r d i m i n u t i o n o f t he p a r e n t - c h i l d

r e l a t i o n s h i p . D am a g e s f o r l o s s o f p a r e n t a l c o n s o r t i u m a r e

l i m i t e d i n t i m e t o t h e s h o r t e r o f t h e c h i l d ' o r p a r e n t ' s n o r m a l

l i f e e x p e c t a n c y .

I n d e t e r m i n i n g t he v a l u e f o r l o s s o f p a r e n t a l c o n s o r t i u m,

y ou may c o n s i d e r :

1. The c i r c u m s t a n c e s o f t h e i n j u r e d p a r e n t ' s l i f e .

2. M ar g a r e t Smi th ' s and John S m i t h ' s a g e s at th e tim e o f

M a r g a r e t S m i t h ' s i n j u r y .



INSTRUCTION NO. 18 (continued)

3. The h e a l t h , s t r e n g t h , c h a r a c t e r and l i f e e x p e c t a n c y of the

i n j u r e d p a r e n t and c h i l d .

4. The i n j u r e d p a r e n t ' s c a p a b i l i t i e s and e f f i c i e n c i e s i n

p e r f o r m i n g the d u t i e s as a p a r e n t .

5. The i n j u r e d p a r e n t ' s s k i l l s and a b i l i t i e s i n p r o v i d i n g

i n s t r u c t i o n , g u i d a n c e , a d v i c e and a s s i s t a n c e to the c h i l d .

6. The c h i l d ' s n e e d s .

7. A l l o t h e r f a c t s and c i r c u m s t a n c e s b e a r i n g on the i s s u e .

The a mo u n t you a s s e s s f o r p a s t , p r e s e n t and f u t u r e l o s s of

p a r e n t a l c o n s o r t i u m c a n n ot be m e a s u r e d by any e x a c t or

m a t h e ma t i c a l s t a n d a r d . You m u s t use y o u r s o u n d j u d g m e n t b a s e d

u p o n an i m p a r t i a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n of the e v i d e n c e . Y o u r j u d g m e n t

m u s t not be e x e r c i s e d a r b i t r a r i l y , or out of s y m p a t h y or

p r e j u d i c e , f o r or a g a i n s t the p a r t i e s . The a mo u n t you a s s e s s

f o r any i t e m of d am a g e m u s t not e x c e e d the a m o u n t c a u s e d by the

D e f e n d a n t as p r o v e d by the e v i d e n c e .

A p a r t y c a n n ot r e c o v e r d u p l i c a t e d a m a g e s . Do not a l l o w

a m o u n t s a w a r d e d u n d e r one i t e m of d a m a g e to be i n c l u d e d i n any

a mo u n t a w a r d e d u n d e r a n o t h e r it e m of d a m a g e . S i m i l a r l y , d a m a g e s

a w a r d e d to one p a r t y s h a l l not be i n c l u d e d i n any a mo u n t a w a r d e d

t o a n o t he r p a r t y .

The a m o u n t s , i f a ny , you f i n d f o r ea c h of the a b o v e

i t e m s w i l l be u s e d to a n s w e r the s p e c i a l v e r d i c t s .



INSTRUCTION NO. 19

I n a r r i v i n g a t a n i t e m o f d a ma g e y o u c a n n o t a r r i v e a t a

f i g u r e b y t a k i n g d o w n t h e e s t i m a t e o f e a c h j u r o r a s t o a n i t e m

of d a m a g e , a n d a g r e e i n g i n a d v a n c e t h a t t h e a v e r a g e o f t h o s e

e s t i m a t e s s h a l l b e y o u r i t e m o f d a m a g e .



INSTRUC TION NO. 20

Upon r e t i r i n g y o u s h a l l s e l e c t a f o r e m a n o r f o r e w o m a n . I t

w i l l b e h i s o r h e r d u t y t o s e e d i s c u s s i o n i s c a r r i e d o n i n a n

o r d e r l y f a s h i o n , t h e i s s u e s a r e f u l l y a n d f r e e l y d i s c u s s e d , a n d

e a c h j u r o r i s g i v e n a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o e x p r e s s h i s o r h e r v i e w s .

Y o u r a t t i t u d e a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f y o u r d e l i b e r a t i o n s i s

i m p o r t a n t . I t i s n o t a g o o d i d e a f o r y o u t o t a k e a p o s i t i o n

b e f o r e t h or o u g h l y d i s c u s s i n g t h e c a s e w i t h t h e o t h e r j u r o r s . I f

y o u d o t h i s , i n d i v i d u a l p r i d e may b e c o m e i n v o l v e d a n d y o u ma y

l a t e r h e s i t a t e t o c h a n g e a n a n n o u n c e d p o s i t i o n e v e n i f s hown i t

ma y be i n c o r r e c t . Remember y o u a r e n o t p a r t i s a n s o r a d v o c a t e s ,

b u t a r e j u d g e s - j u d g e s o f t h e f a c t s . Y o u r s o l e i n t e r e s t i s t o

f i n d t h e t r u t h a n d d o j u s t i c e .



INSTRUCTION NO. 21

O c c a s i o n a l l y , a f t e r a j u r y r e t i r e s to the j u r y room, the

m em b e r s h a v e q u e s t i o n s . U s u a l l y , q u e s t i o n s a b o u t i n s t r u c t i o n s

c a n be a n s w e r e d by c a r e f u l l y r e - r e a d i n g them. Ifh o w e v e r , any

o f you f e e l i t n e c e s s a r y to ask a q u e s t i o n , you m u s t do so i n

w r i t i n g and d e l i v e r the q u e s t i o n to the C ou r t A t t e n d a n t . I

c a n n o t c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h you w i t h o u t f i r s t d i s c u s s i n g y o u r

q u e s t i o n and p o t e n t i a l a n s w e r w i t h the a t t o r n e y s . T h is p r o c e s s

n a t u r a l l y t a k e s t i me and d e l i b e r a t i o n b e f o r e I can r e p l y . My

r e p l y w i l l a l s o be i n w r i t i n g . K e e p the w r i t t e n q u e s t i o n and

r e s p o n s e and r e t u r n i t to the C ou r t w i t h the v e r d i c t .

The C ou r t A t t e n d a n t who has b e e n w o r k i n g w i t h me on t h i s

c a s e w i l l be u n d e r o a t h not to c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h you e x c e p t to

a s k i f you h a v e a g r e e d u p o n a v e r d i c t . P l e a s e do not put him or

he r on the s p o t by a s k i n g him or her any q u e s t i o n s . You s h o u l d

d i r e c t y o u r q u e s t i o n s to the C o u r t and not to the C o u r t

A t t e n d a n t .



INSTRUCTION NO. 22

I am g i v i n g you two (2) v e r d i c t f o r m s and q u e s t i o n s .

D u r i n g the f i r s t s i x h o u r s of d e l i b e r a t i o n s , e x c l u d i n g m e a l s and

r e c e s s e s o u t s i d e y ou r j u r y room, y ou r d e c i s i o n m u s t be

u n a n i m o u s . If you a l l a g re e , the v e r d i c t and a n s w e r s to

q u e s t i o n s m u s t be s i g n e d by y o u r f o r e m a n or f o r e w o m a n .

A f t e r d e l i b e r a t i n g f o r s i x h o u r s f r o m o ' c l o c k .m.

e x c l u d i n g m e a l s or r e c e s s e s o u t s i d e y ou r j u r y room, t he n i t i s

n e c e s s a r y t h a t o n l y s e v e n of you a g r e e u p o n the a n s w e r s to the

q u e s t i o n s . In t h a t c a s e , the v e r d i c t and q u e s t i o n s m u s t be

s i g n e d by a l l s e v e n j u r o r s who a g r e e .

When you h a v e a g r e e d u p o n the v e r d i c t and a n s w e r s to

q u e s t i o n s and a p p r o p r i a t e l y s ig n e d i t , t e l l the C ou r t A t t e n d a n t .

D a t e d t h i s 27 th day of S e p t e m b e r , 2013.

T h o j r t a s J. B i c e

D i s t r i c t C o u r t J u d g e




MARGARET SMITH and

JOHN SMITH,


v s .

LORING HOSPITAL,

D e f e n d a n t .

No. LACV019319

SPECIAL VERDICT FORMS

SPECIAL VERDICT NO. 1

We f i n d the f o l l o w i n g v e r d i c t on the q u e s t i o n s s u b m i t t e d to us:

Q u e s t i o n No. 1: Was the d e f e n d a n t at f a u l t ?

A n s w e r " y e s " or "no."

ANSWER:

[ I f y o u r a n s w e r i s " n o, " do not a n s w e r any f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s . ]

Q u e s t i o n No. 2: Was the f a u l t ofthe d e f e n d a n t a c a u s e of any

i t e m of dama ge to M a r g a r e t S m i t h ?


ANSWER:

[ I f y o u r a n s w e r i s " n o " , do not a n s w e r any f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s . ]



Q u e s t i o n No. 3: S t a t e t h e a m ou n t o f d a m a g e s s u s t a i n e d b y

M a r g a r e t S m it h c a u s e d b y d e f e n d a n t ' s f a u l t . I f M a r g a r e t S m it h

ha s f a i l e d t o p r o v e a n y ' i t e m o f d a ma g e , o r h a s f a i l e d t o p r o v e

t h a t a n y i t e m o f d a ma g e wa s c a u s e d b y d e f e n d a n t ' s f a u l t , e n t e r 0

f o r t h a t i t e m .

1. P a s t m e d i c a l e x p e n s e s i n t h e a m ou n t o f $ 2 7, 2 27 . 2 4 $

2. P a s t l o s s o f f u n c t i o n o f b o d y a n d m i n d $

3. F u t u r e l o s s o f f u n c t i o n o f bo d y a n d m i n d $

4 . P a s t p a i n a n d s u f f e r i n g $

TOTAL ( a dd t h e s e p a r a t e i t e ms o f d a m ag e ]

FOREPERSON*r

To be s i g n e d o n l y i f v e r d i c t i s u n a n i m o u s

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * *

**To be s i g n e d b y t h e j u r o r s a g r e e i n g t h e r e t o a f t e r s i x h o u r s o r

m o r e o f d e l i b e r a t i o n .




S t a t e the a m o u n t of d a m a g e s s u s t a i n e d by the P l a i n t i f f John

S m i t h f o r the l o s s of p a r e n t a l c o n s o r t i u m .

ANSWER: $

FOREPERSON*

*To be s i g n e d o n l y i f v e r d i c t i s u n a n i m o u s .

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * *

**To be s i g n e d by the j u r o r s a g r e e i n g t h e r e t o a f t e r s i x h o u r s or

more of d e l i b e r a t i o n .



°, S T R , c C M " R i " 0 F l OSAC COUNTY

FILED

2m SEP 21 AM I!: 3

You have received all the evidence in this case. You must rely upon that evidence, whether

test imonial or documentary. Beyond that, I canno t co mm ent; and I refer you back to the Jury

Instructions for direction.

jKomas J . Bice

District Cou rt Judge



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You have received all the evidence in this case. You must rely upon that evidence, whethertest imonial ordocumentary. Beyond that, I cannot comment; and I refer you back to the Jury

Instructions for direct ion.

Thomas J . Bice

District Co urt Judge




MARGARET SMITH and

JOHN SMITH,


v s .

LORING HOSPITAL,

D e f e n d a n t .

No. LACV019319

SPECIAL VERDICT FORMS

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We f i n d the f o l l o w i n g v e r d i c t on the q u e s t i o n s s u b m i t t e d to us

Q u e s t i o n No. 1: Was thed e f e n d a n t at f a u l t ?


ANSWER:

[ I f yo u r a n s w e r i s "n o ," do not a n s w e r any f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s . ]

Q u e s t i o n No. 2: Was the f a u l t of thed e f e n d a n t a c a u s e of any

i t e m of damage to M a r g a r e t S m i t h ?


ANSWER:

[ I f yo u r a n s w e r i s "n o" , do not a n s w e r any f u r t h e r q u e s t i o n s . ]



Q u e s t i o n No. 3: S t a t e t h e a m ou n t o f d a m a ge s s u s t a i n e d b y

M a r g a r e t S m i t h c a u s e d b y d e f e n d a n t ' s f a u l t . I f M a r g a r e t S m i t h

h a s f a i l e d t o p r o v e a n y ' i t e m o f d a m a ge , o r h a s f a i l e d t o p r o v e

t h a t a n y i t e m of d a m a ge w a s c a u s e d b y d e f e n d a n t ' s f a u l t , e n t e r 0

f o r t h a t i t e m .

1. P a s t m e d i c a l e x p e n s e s i n t h e a m o u n t o f $ 27 ,2 27 . 24 $

2. P a s t l o s s o f f u n c t i o n o f b o d y a n d m i n d $

3. F u t u r e l o s s o f f u n c t i o n o f b o d y a n d m i n d $

4. P a s t p a i n a n d s u f f e r i n g $

TOTAL (a d d t h e s e p a r a t e i t e m s o f d a m a g e )

y FOREPERSON*r

To b e s i g n e d o n l y i f v e r d i c t i s u n a n i m o u s ,

J u r o r * * J u r o r '

J u r o r * * J u r o r '

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * *

**To be s i g n e d b y t h e j u r o r s a g r e e i n g t h e r e t o a f t e r s i x h o u r s o r

m o r e o f d e l i b e r a t i o n .




S t a t e the a m o u n t of d a m a g e s s u s t a i n e d by the P l a i n t i f f J o h n

S m i t h f o r the l o s s of p a r e n t a l c o n s o r t i u m .

ANSWER: $

FOREPERSON*

*To be s i g n e d o n l y i f v e r d i c t i s u n a n i m o u s .

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * * J u r o r * *

J u r o r * *

**To be s i g n e d by the j u r o r s a g r e e i n g t h e r e t o a f t e r s i x h o u r s or

more of d e l i b e r a t i o n .

Civil Verdict - Margaret Smith and John Smith vs Loring Hospital Lacv019319

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