Pretrial Procedures

• Author: Michael J. Morse
• Pages: 511-684

CHAPTER 9

Pretrial Procedures

I. Introduction

§ 9:10 Developing a Theme

§ 9:15 Using Computers, Pictures and Videos to Present Case Theme

§ 9:20 Role of Substantive Law

§ 9:30 Winning Over the Judge

II. Developing a Discovery Plan

§ 9:40 Plaintiff Strategy

§ 9:41 Checklist for Plaintiff’s Discovery Strategy

§ 9:41.1 Form: Motion to Compel Production of Statement

§ 9:50 Defense Strategy

§ 9:51 Checklist for Defendant’s Strategy

§ 9:60 Case Study

§ 9:70 Discovery Under the Federal Rules: Automatic Disclosure

§ 9:70.1 Checklist for Disclosure Under Amended Rules

§ 9:70.2 Automatic Disclosures and Demonstrative Evidence

§ 9:71 Discovery Conferences/Pretrial Conferences

III. Types of Information to Discover

A. Experts

§ 9:80 Formal Discovery

§ 9:90 Indirect Sources of Information

§ 9:91 Discovery and Opinion Work Product/Attorney-Client Privilege

Documents Shown to Testifying Expert

§ 9:91.1 Role of Counsel and Expert in Preparing Reports

§ 9:92 Expert Witnesses: Consulting Experts Versus Testifying Experts

§ 9:92.1 Exceptional Circumstances in Discovery of Non-

Testimonial Experts

§ 9:93 Using Expert Witnesses Effectively in Neck, Back and Brain

Injury Cases

§ 9:94 When to Use a Chiropractor as Expert

B. Indemnity and Insurance

§ 9:100 Indemnity Agreements

§ 9:110 Insurance Agreements

§ 9:120 Reservation of Rights

LITIGATING NECK AND BACK INJURIES

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C. Surveillance Evidence

§ 9:130 Preparing the Client

§ 9:140 Discovery

§ 9:140.1 Plaintiff’s Discovery Requests Regarding

Surveillance

§ 9:150 Deposing the Investigator

§ 9:160 Analyzing Surveillance Evidence

§ 9:170 Checklist

§ 9:180 Sample: Motion to Compel Production of Surveillance Evidence

§ 9:181 Form: Plaintiff’s Brief re: Motion to Compel Surveillance

Evidence

§ 9:182 Form: Plaintiff’s Motion and Brief in Support of Motion

to Compel Production of Surveillance Evidence or, in the

Alternative, to Strike Surveillance Evidence from Being Used at

Trial

D. Electronic Media Discovery

§ 9:190 Introduction

IV. Discovery Methods

A. Interrogatories

§ 9:200 Introduction

§ 9:210 Contention Interrogatories

§ 9:220 Sample Interrogatories

§ 9:220.1 Plaintiff to Defendant Interrogatories

§ 9:220.2 Defendant to Plaintiff Interrogatories

§ 9:220.3 Interrogatories Regarding Experts

§ 9:220.4 Plaintiff’s Contention Interrogatories to Defendant

§ 9:220.5 Defendant Contention Interrogatories to Plaintiff

§ 9:220.6 Daubert/Kumho Type Interrogatories

§ 9:220.7 Plaintiff’s Interrogatories and Requests to Admit –

Notice of Non-Party Fault

§ 9:220.8 Plaintiff’s Interrogatories and Request to Produce

Directed to Defendant Insurance Company

§ 9:220.9 Plaintiff’s Interrogatories and Requests to Admit to

Defendant re: Affirmative Defenses

§ 9:220.10 Plaintiff’s Interrogatories and Requests for

Production to Defendants — Trucking Case (Third

Party)

§ 9:220.11 Plaintiff’s Witness Interrogatories Directed to

Defendant

§ 9:220.12 Plaintiff’s Interrogatories and Request to Produce

Documents to Defendant re: Assets

§ 9:220.13 Plaintiff’s Expert Witness Interrogatories Directed

to Defendant

§ 9:220.14 Interrogatories to Defendant Business Owner

in Dram Shop Case

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§§ 9:230 – 9:260 Reserved

B. Depositions

1. Introduction

§ 9:270 Preparing to Take

§ 9:280 Preparing to Defend

§ 9:281 Preparing the Plaintiff for Deposition

§ 9:281.1 Letter to Plaintiff-Client re: Scheduled Deposition

§ 9:290 Sample Deposition Notice

§ 9:291 Sample Subpoena

2. Types of Deponents

§ 9:300 Treating Physician

§ 9:305 Plaintiff’s Chiropractor

§ 9:310 DME Physician

§ 9:311 DME Chiropractors

§ 9:315 Insurance Adjusters

§ 9:320 Deposing Expert for Trial Purposes

3. Checklists

§ 9:330 Defendant’s Deposition Outline (Plaintiff to Defendant)

§ 9:340 Defendant to Plaintiff

§ 9:350 Plaintiff to Treating Physician

§ 9:360 Plaintiff to Defense Medical Expert (DME)

§ 9:361 Other Experts – Generally

§ 9:370 Deposition Outline – Plaintiff to Police Officer on Scene

§ 9:370.1 Sample Traffic Crash Report

4. Videotape Depositions

§ 9:380 Introduction

§ 9:390 Videotape Quality

§ 9:400 Maximizing Admissibility

§ 9:401 Video Impeachment

§ 9:410 Sample: Stipulation to Take a Videotape Deposition

§ 9:411 Checklist on Depositions in Neck and Back Injury Cases

C. Production Requests

§ 9:420 Introduction

§ 9:430 Form: Plaintiff’s Request for Production of Documents

§ 9:431 Sample Request for Production

D. Requests for Admission

§ 9:440 Introduction

§ 9:450 Plaintiff’s Request for Admissions & Interrogatories

§ 9:451 Plaintiff’s Request for Admissions & Interrogatories – Rear-End

Collision

§ 9:452 Form: Plaintiff’s Request for Admissions & Interrogatories –

Uninsured Driver

§ 9:453 Request for Admission (Alternate)