Confronting Difficult Fact Issues

• Author: Jim Wren
• Pages: 575-598

20-1

20. Difficult

Issues

Chapter 20

Confronting Difficult

Fact Issues

I. Aggravation of Prior Injuries

A. The Problem of a Preexisting Condition

§20:01 Viewing a Preexisting Condition as Damaged Goods

§20:02 Jury Instructions for Preexisting Conditions

B. Turning the Problem Into a Strength Rather Than a Weakness

§20:10 Gather All the Evidence

§20:11 Prepare to Negate Other Causes

§20:12 Emphasize Vulnerability

§20:13 Explain the Fear of Rejection

§20:14 Consider the Use of an Expert

§20:15 Explain Attacks to the Jury

II. CRPS/RSD Cases

A. Background of CRPS

§20:20 Significance of CRPS/RSD

§20:21 Definition and History

§20:22 Symptoms of CRPS

§20:23 Types of CRPS

B. Presenting the Case

§20:30 See the Jury’s Standpoint

§20:31 Dealing With the Validity of CRPS

§20:32 Using Experts to Establish the Science

§20:33 Using Photographs to Demonstrate the Damages

C. Neutralize the Defense Expert

§20:40 Know the Literature

§20:41 The IASP Criteria

§20:42 The AMA Guides

§20:43 Ruling Out Other Causes

§20:44 The Available Testing

§20:45 Get Admissions From the Defense Expert

Proving Damages to the Jury

20-2

20. Difficult

Issues

D. Damages

§20:50 Wait Until the Jurors Are Ready

§20:51 The Effect on the Family

§20:52 Present a Life Care Plan

III. Disfigurement

§20:60 Connect Disfigurement to Isolation

§20:61 Use Family and Friends as Witnesses

§20:62 Questions for Your Client

§20:63 Opening Statements and Closing Arguments

IV. Loss of Consortium

§20:70 Clarify the Meaning of Consortium

§20:71 Look to Case Law for a Definition

§20:72 Instruct Clients and Witnesses on the Meaning

§20:73 Explain the Meaning to the Jury in Everyday Terms

§20:74 Consider Loss of Consortium for Children

V. Vicarious Liability

§20:80 Do Not Limit Discussion to the Court

§20:81 Jurors Have No Concept of Vicarious Liability

§20:82 Some Jurors Will Protect the Employee; Others Protect the

Employer

§20:83 Pursue Theories of Direct Fault

§20:84 Prepare to Defeat Defendant’s Motion to Dismiss

§20:85 Submit Evidence of Both Direct and Vicarious Liability

VI. Wealth of the Parties

§20:90 Generally References to Relative Wealth Are Improper

§20:91 The Law Does Not Allow Appeals to Prejudice

§20:92 References to Relative Wealth Tend to Boomerang

Psychologically With Juries

§20:93 Financial Considerations May Be Relevant to Motivation

§20:94 Look for Ways to Make Financial Motive Relevant