Blackburn v. Illinois Central Railroad Company
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Opinion
NO. 5-06-0618 N O T IC E
Decision filed 01/22/08. The text of IN THE this dec ision m ay b e changed or
corrected prior to the filing of a APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS P e t i ti o n for Re hea ring or the
disposition of the same. FIFTH DISTRICT ________________________________________________________________________
XON BLACKBURN et al., ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of Plaintiffs, ) Marion County. ) and ) ) DELBERT COPPLE, CARL HEINRICHSMEYER, ) and DONALD HYATT, ) ) Plaintiffs-Appellees, ) ) v. ) No. 04-L-25 ) ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY, ) Honorable ) Patrick J. Hitpas, Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge, presiding. ________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE SPOMER delivered the opinion of the court:
The defendant, Illinois Central Railroad Company (the Railroad), appeals from the
order of the circuit court of Marion County that entered a judgment on jury verdicts in favor
of plaintiffs Delbert Copple, Carl Heinrichsmeyer, and Donald Hyatt (the plaintiffs). For the
reasons set forth below, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court.
FACTS
The plaintiffs are among a group of 24 plaintiffs who sued the Railroad for claims
arising under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) (45 U.S.C. §51 et seq. (2000)),
whereby they alleged they were injured when they were exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust,
and other dangerous products during the course of their employment. The plaintiffs claimed,
inter alia, that the Railroad negligently failed to provide them with a reasonably safe place
to work. The Railroad filed a motion to sever the cases for trial, and the circuit court granted
1 the motion in part by consolidating the plaintiffs' cases into groups of four for trial. The
plaintiffs' cases were the second group to be tried together before a jury. The other plaintiff
in their group did not participate in the trial for reasons unrelated to this appeal. The verdicts
in the first group's trial were previously affirmed on appeal. Xon Blackburn v. Illinois
Central R.R. Co., No. 5-06-0417 (2007) (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23
(166 Ill. 2d R. 23)).
Delbert Copple was 79 years old at the time of the trial. Mr. Copple worked for the
Railroad continuously from 1950 to 1986 as a stockman and laborer in various facilities in
and around Centralia. He testified that in his work, he was exposed to asbestos-containing
products, including asbestos sleeves, gaskets, brake shoes, and firebrick. Carl
Heinrichsmeyer was 62 years old at the time of the trial. Mr. Heinrichsmeyer worked for the
Railroad from 1963 until 1982, also in and around Centralia. He worked at various times as
a stockman, chauffeur, and store clerk, and he testified that he also handled asbestos sleeves
and gaskets. Donald Hyatt was 70 years old at the time of the trial. Mr. Hyatt worked for
the Railroad from 1969 to 1999, beginning at the facility in Champaign. From 1970 until
1984, Mr. Hyatt was responsible for maintaining water and steam lines at various facilities
from Champaign to Effingham. During his employment, Mr. Hyatt was exposed to asbestos
piping and boiler insulation.
In 2003, the plaintiffs attended a screening set up by the attorneys working for their
union. After the screening, Dr. Alvin Schonfeld diagnosed the plaintiffs with asbestosis,
which is defined as the scarring of the lungs created by asbestos fibers. At the trial, Dr.
Schonfeld testified that the plaintiffs' asbestos exposure during their employment with the
Railroad caused, in whole or in part, their injuries.
After a lengthy trial at which each side presented numerous lay and expert witnesses,
the jury returned verdicts in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding $220,000 in damages to Mr.
2 Copple, $167,000 to Mr. Heinrichsmeyer, and $220,000 to Mr. Hyatt. The circuit court
denied the Railroad's motions for a directed verdict, made at the close of the plaintiffs'
evidence and again at the end of the trial. The circuit court denied the Railroad's posttrial
motions and entered a finding pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 304(a) (210 Ill. 2d R.
304(a)). The Railroad filed a timely notice of appeal. We will set forth additional facts from
the record as needed to explain our resolution of each issue on appeal.
ANALYSIS
1. Instructing the Jury on the Fear of Cancer
The Railroad argues that the circuit erred in instructing the jury on the fear of cancer.
The Railroad's argument on this issue is twofold. First, the Railroad argues that the circuit
court erred in refusing to instruct the jury that in order to award damages for the fear of
cancer, the jury must find that the fear must significantly and detrimentally affect the ability
to carry on everyday life and work. Second, the Railroad argues that there was insufficient
evidence presented to warrant a jury instruction on the fear of cancer as an element of
damage for each plaintiff. We will address each argument in turn.
The United States Supreme Court has held that an asbestosis claimant, upon
demonstrating a reasonable fear of cancer stemming from the claimant's existing disease, can
recover for that fear as a part of asbestosis-related pain-and-suffering damages in a suit
brought under FELA. Norfolk & Western Ry. Co. v. Ayers, 538 U.S. 135, 157, 155 L. Ed.
2d 261, 281, 123 S. Ct. 1210, 1223 (2003). However, it is incumbent upon the claimant to
prove that his alleged fear is genuine and serious. Ayers, 538 U.S. at 157, 155 L. Ed. 2d at
281, 123 S. Ct. at 1223. In this case, the circuit court instructed the jury separately regarding
each plaintiff as follows:
"If you decide for the plaintiff *** on the question of liability, you must then
fix the amount of money which will reasonably and fairly compensate him for any of
3 the following elements of damages proved by the evidence to have resulted, in whole
or in part, from the negligence of the defendant, taking into consideration the nature,
extent[,] and duration of the injury:
***
The genuine and serious fear of cancer experienced and reasonably certain to
be experienced in the future."
The circuit court refused the Railroad's proposed instruction, which stated: "In order
to recover for fear of cancer, a plaintiff must demonstrate that his fear is genuine and serious.
This means fear that significantly and detrimentally affects the ability to carry on everyday
life and work." This proposed instruction was modeled after Justice Breyer's partial dissent
in Ayers, in which he stated that he would "permit recovery where the fear of cancer is
unusually severe–where it significantly and detrimentally affects the plaintiff's ability to carry
on with everyday life and work." 538 U.S. at 187, 155 L. Ed. 2d at 300, 123 S. Ct. at 1239
(Breyer, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). The Railroad argues that Justice
Breyer is proposing a definition of "genuine and serious." However, he is in fact, proposing
a more stringent standard than that handed down by the majority in Ayers. Accordingly, the
circuit court did not err when it rejected the Railroad's tendered instruction and instructed the
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
NO. 5-06-0618 N O T IC E
Decision filed 01/22/08. The text of IN THE this dec ision m ay b e changed or
corrected prior to the filing of a APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS P e t i ti o n for Re hea ring or the
disposition of the same. FIFTH DISTRICT ________________________________________________________________________
XON BLACKBURN et al., ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of Plaintiffs, ) Marion County. ) and ) ) DELBERT COPPLE, CARL HEINRICHSMEYER, ) and DONALD HYATT, ) ) Plaintiffs-Appellees, ) ) v. ) No. 04-L-25 ) ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY, ) Honorable ) Patrick J. Hitpas, Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge, presiding. ________________________________________________________________________
JUSTICE SPOMER delivered the opinion of the court:
The defendant, Illinois Central Railroad Company (the Railroad), appeals from the
order of the circuit court of Marion County that entered a judgment on jury verdicts in favor
of plaintiffs Delbert Copple, Carl Heinrichsmeyer, and Donald Hyatt (the plaintiffs). For the
reasons set forth below, we affirm the judgment of the circuit court.
FACTS
The plaintiffs are among a group of 24 plaintiffs who sued the Railroad for claims
arising under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) (45 U.S.C. §51 et seq. (2000)),
whereby they alleged they were injured when they were exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust,
and other dangerous products during the course of their employment. The plaintiffs claimed,
inter alia, that the Railroad negligently failed to provide them with a reasonably safe place
to work. The Railroad filed a motion to sever the cases for trial, and the circuit court granted
1 the motion in part by consolidating the plaintiffs' cases into groups of four for trial. The
plaintiffs' cases were the second group to be tried together before a jury. The other plaintiff
in their group did not participate in the trial for reasons unrelated to this appeal. The verdicts
in the first group's trial were previously affirmed on appeal. Xon Blackburn v. Illinois
Central R.R. Co., No. 5-06-0417 (2007) (unpublished order under Supreme Court Rule 23
(166 Ill. 2d R. 23)).
Delbert Copple was 79 years old at the time of the trial. Mr. Copple worked for the
Railroad continuously from 1950 to 1986 as a stockman and laborer in various facilities in
and around Centralia. He testified that in his work, he was exposed to asbestos-containing
products, including asbestos sleeves, gaskets, brake shoes, and firebrick. Carl
Heinrichsmeyer was 62 years old at the time of the trial. Mr. Heinrichsmeyer worked for the
Railroad from 1963 until 1982, also in and around Centralia. He worked at various times as
a stockman, chauffeur, and store clerk, and he testified that he also handled asbestos sleeves
and gaskets. Donald Hyatt was 70 years old at the time of the trial. Mr. Hyatt worked for
the Railroad from 1969 to 1999, beginning at the facility in Champaign. From 1970 until
1984, Mr. Hyatt was responsible for maintaining water and steam lines at various facilities
from Champaign to Effingham. During his employment, Mr. Hyatt was exposed to asbestos
piping and boiler insulation.
In 2003, the plaintiffs attended a screening set up by the attorneys working for their
union. After the screening, Dr. Alvin Schonfeld diagnosed the plaintiffs with asbestosis,
which is defined as the scarring of the lungs created by asbestos fibers. At the trial, Dr.
Schonfeld testified that the plaintiffs' asbestos exposure during their employment with the
Railroad caused, in whole or in part, their injuries.
After a lengthy trial at which each side presented numerous lay and expert witnesses,
the jury returned verdicts in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding $220,000 in damages to Mr.
2 Copple, $167,000 to Mr. Heinrichsmeyer, and $220,000 to Mr. Hyatt. The circuit court
denied the Railroad's motions for a directed verdict, made at the close of the plaintiffs'
evidence and again at the end of the trial. The circuit court denied the Railroad's posttrial
motions and entered a finding pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court Rule 304(a) (210 Ill. 2d R.
304(a)). The Railroad filed a timely notice of appeal. We will set forth additional facts from
the record as needed to explain our resolution of each issue on appeal.
ANALYSIS
1. Instructing the Jury on the Fear of Cancer
The Railroad argues that the circuit erred in instructing the jury on the fear of cancer.
The Railroad's argument on this issue is twofold. First, the Railroad argues that the circuit
court erred in refusing to instruct the jury that in order to award damages for the fear of
cancer, the jury must find that the fear must significantly and detrimentally affect the ability
to carry on everyday life and work. Second, the Railroad argues that there was insufficient
evidence presented to warrant a jury instruction on the fear of cancer as an element of
damage for each plaintiff. We will address each argument in turn.
The United States Supreme Court has held that an asbestosis claimant, upon
demonstrating a reasonable fear of cancer stemming from the claimant's existing disease, can
recover for that fear as a part of asbestosis-related pain-and-suffering damages in a suit
brought under FELA. Norfolk & Western Ry. Co. v. Ayers, 538 U.S. 135, 157, 155 L. Ed.
2d 261, 281, 123 S. Ct. 1210, 1223 (2003). However, it is incumbent upon the claimant to
prove that his alleged fear is genuine and serious. Ayers, 538 U.S. at 157, 155 L. Ed. 2d at
281, 123 S. Ct. at 1223. In this case, the circuit court instructed the jury separately regarding
each plaintiff as follows:
"If you decide for the plaintiff *** on the question of liability, you must then
fix the amount of money which will reasonably and fairly compensate him for any of
3 the following elements of damages proved by the evidence to have resulted, in whole
or in part, from the negligence of the defendant, taking into consideration the nature,
extent[,] and duration of the injury:
***
The genuine and serious fear of cancer experienced and reasonably certain to
be experienced in the future."
The circuit court refused the Railroad's proposed instruction, which stated: "In order
to recover for fear of cancer, a plaintiff must demonstrate that his fear is genuine and serious.
This means fear that significantly and detrimentally affects the ability to carry on everyday
life and work." This proposed instruction was modeled after Justice Breyer's partial dissent
in Ayers, in which he stated that he would "permit recovery where the fear of cancer is
unusually severe–where it significantly and detrimentally affects the plaintiff's ability to carry
on with everyday life and work." 538 U.S. at 187, 155 L. Ed. 2d at 300, 123 S. Ct. at 1239
(Breyer, J., concurring in part and dissenting in part). The Railroad argues that Justice
Breyer is proposing a definition of "genuine and serious." However, he is in fact, proposing
a more stringent standard than that handed down by the majority in Ayers. Accordingly, the
circuit court did not err when it rejected the Railroad's tendered instruction and instructed the
jury in accordance with the majority opinion in Ayers.
We now turn to the issue of whether the circuit court erred in determining that there
was sufficient evidence to support a jury instruction on the fear of cancer regarding each
plaintiff. Our review of the record reveals that Dr. Douglas Pohl testified that asbestos is
carcinogenic and that a person who has been exposed to asbestos is at an increased risk of
cancer. Dr. Schonfeld also testified that asbestosis sometimes causes cancer. M r. Copple
testified that he is concerned, even worried, about the prospect of developing cancer. Mr.
Heinrichsmeyer testified that he is concerned about taking care of his family in the event that
4 he contracts the disease. Mr. Hyatt testified that cancer is on his mind all the time and that
he had pneumonia in January and thought he might have been contracting cancer at that time.
We find this evidence sufficient to support the circuit court's decision to instruct the jury that
it could award each plaintiff damages for the fear of cancer should it find that fear to be
genuine and serious.
2. Denial of the Motion for a New Trial on the Issue of Damages or a Remittitur
a. Standard of Review
The Railroad also argues that the circuit court erred in denying its motion for a new
trial on the entire damages award and in denying its alternative motion for a remittitur on the
future-medical-expense and pain-and-suffering awards. When we review a circuit court's
ruling on a motion for a new trial on the issue of compensatory damages, the standard of
review is whether the verdict is against the manifest weight of the evidence. Hollowell v.
Wilder Corp. of Delaware, 318 Ill. App. 3d 984, 990 (2001) (citing Maple v. Gustafson, 151
Ill. 2d 445, 454 (1992)). "A verdict is against the manifest weight when it is arbitrary,
unreasonable, or not based upon any evidence." Hollowell, 318 Ill. App. 3d at 990 (citing
Maple, 151 Ill. 2d at 454). The standard of review for the circuit court's ruling on a motion
for a remittitur is whether the circuit court abused its discretion. Hollowell, 318 Ill. App. 3d
at 991.
In addition to the standard of review, it is important to note several principles that are
applicable when reviewing a damages award. "The determination of damages is a question
reserved to the trier of fact, and a reviewing court will not lightly substitute its opinion for
the judgment rendered in the trial court." Richardson v. Chapman, 175 Ill. 2d 98, 113
(1997). "An award of damages will be deemed excessive if it falls outside the range of fair
and reasonable compensation or results from passion or prejudice, or if it is so large that it
shocks the judicial conscience." Richardson, 175 Ill. 2d at 113. "When reviewing an award
5 of compensatory damages for a nonfatal injury, a court may consider, among other things,
the permanency of the plaintiff's condition, the possibility of future deterioration, the extent
of the plaintiff's medical expenses, and the restrictions imposed on the plaintiff by the
injuries." Richardson, 175 Ill. 2d at 113-14.
b. The Identical Awards
Before turning to our analysis of the specific items of damages awarded to each of the
plaintiffs, we recognize that in several places in the Railroad's brief, the Railroad points to
the fact that the jury made identical awards to the plaintiffs for the fear of cancer, disability,
and pain and suffering and identical awards to Mr. Copple and M r. Hyatt for future medical
expenses. The Railroad directs this court's attention to that fact in support of its arguments
that the trials should have been severed; that the jury should have been instructed on a
definition of "genuine and serious" in relation to the fear of cancer; and that without evidence
of life expectancy the jury should not have been instructed to consider, in assessing the
awards for future medical expenses, how long the plaintiffs are likely to live. Although we
have analyzed these specific issues in other parts of this opinion and found no error, we find
it provident to consider whether the identical awards, in and of themselves, would necessitate
a new trial on damages.
We find no authority in Illinois, and the Railroad points to none, that stands for the
proposition that identical awards, in and of themselves, are reversible error. In light of this,
we have examined how this issue has been handled by other jurisdictions. In so doing, we
were persuaded by the reasoning of the Kansas Supreme Court, which stated as follows:
"The ' ["]only standard for evaluation is such amount as reasonable persons
estimate to be fair compensation for the injuries suffered.["] ' (Emphasis added.)
Morris v. Francisco, 238 Kan. [71,] 77-78[, 708 P.2d 498, 503-04 (1985)] (quoting
Ratterree v. Bartlett, 238 Kan. [11,] 23[, 707 P.2d 1063, 1072 (1985)]). There is no
6 per se rule which discredits identical awards, and there is no provision in current law
for comparison of one plaintiff's recovery with another's to serve as the basis for
overturning a jury's verdict." Kuhl v. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Ry. Co., 250 Kan.
332, 344, 827 P.2d 1, 9 (1992).
The Kansas Supreme Court went on to explain that if reasonable persons could
estimate the damages of each individual plaintiff to be a fair compensation for the injuries
suffered, without comparing them to each other, then the identical awards should be upheld.
Kuhl, 250 Kan. at 344, 827 P.2d at 9. Similar conclusions have been reached by the Maine
Supreme Court, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. See
Harris v. Soley, 2000 ME 150, ¶27, 756 A.2d 499, 508 (2000); Lambert v. Ackerley, 180
F.3d 997, 1011 (9th Cir. 1999). We find this analysis persuasive for our purposes here,
especially in light of the fact that all three plaintiffs were similarly diagnosed with asbestosis
and had similar physical manifestations of this disease, presenting with symptoms of
shortness of breath and some limitations on their levels of exertion. Although Mr. Copple
was 79 years old at the time of the trial, while Mr. Heinrichsmeyer was 62 and Mr. Hyatt was
70, a reasonable jury could conclude that because longevity is uncertain, similar awards for
future damages were justified based on the similarity of their asbestosis-related conditions.
Accordingly, we decline to substitute our judgment for that of the jury solely on the basis of
identical awards.
c. Future Medical Expenses
We begin our analysis of the particular verdicts at issue with the award for future
medical expenses. The jury awarded M r. Copple and Mr. Hyatt each $100,000, and it
awarded Mr. Heinrichsmeyer $47,000 for future medical expenses. We cannot say that these
awards are against the manifest weight of the evidence or that the circuit court abused its
discretion in denying the motion for a remittitur with regard to future medical expenses. Dr.
7 Schonfeld testified that because the plaintiffs were diagnosed with asbestosis, they would
need periodic X rays, medical exams, and colonoscopies. Similarly, Dr. Pohl testified that
an asbestosis patient must have routine pulmonary testing throughout his life. Mr. Copple
testified that he plans to monitor his condition with his family doctor. Mr. Heinrichsmeyer
testified that he also plans to monitor his health. Mr. Hyatt testified, without objection, that
his doctor told him he would need a chest X ray every year.
The Railroad argues that these verdicts should be reversed because the plaintiffs did
not produce evidence of any specific medical expenses that they would incur in the future
other than "generic references" to periodic visits to a physician for a chest X ray. However,
"the trier of fact enjoys a certain degree of leeway in awarding compensation for medical
costs that, as shown by the evidence, are likely to arise in the future but are not specifically
itemized in the testimony." Richardson, 175 Ill. 2d at 112. The Railroad also points to the
plaintiffs' counsel's statement during closing argument that a "fair figure" for future medical
expenses would be $5,000. However, " '[a] jury's award of a verdict higher than that
requested by counsel does not, by itself, indicate that the jury acted out of passion or
prejudice.' " Tri-G, Inc. v. Burke, Bosselman & Weaver, 222 Ill. 2d 218, 250-51 (2006)
(quoting Fedt v. Oak Lawn Lodge, Inc., 132 Ill. App. 3d 1061, 1072 (1985)).
We find that the amounts awarded fall within a range of fair and reasonable
compensation for periodic X rays, exams, and other diagnostic testing that the evidence
shows the plaintiffs will face due to the asbestosis diagnosis. In addition, these amounts are
not so large that we can say that they are based on juror passion or prejudice or that they
shock the judicial conscience. Accordingly, we will not substitute our judgment for that of
the jury. The circuit court did not err in allowing the jury's verdict with regard to future
medical expenses to stand.
8 d. Pain and Suffering, Disability, and Fear of Cancer
We now turn to the jury's award to the plaintiffs for pain and suffering and disability
and fear of cancer. The jury awarded each of the plaintiffs $15,000 for pain and suffering,
$75,000 for disability, and $30,000 for fear of cancer. Dr. Alvin Schonfeld testified that the
plaintiffs suffered from asbestosis, a permanent condition, which was caused, in whole or in
part, by their employment with the Railroad. Dr. Schonfeld testified that the plaintiffs'
complaints of shortness of breath were consistent with his findings of asbestosis and that the
plaintiffs were at an increased risk of developing cancer as a result of their exposure to
asbestos. Dr. Donald Breyer testified that the plaintiffs' chest X rays contained varying
degrees of abnormalities consistent with asbestosis. Mr. Copple testified that he gets winded
when he works out at the gym and when walking up stairs. Mr. Heinrichsmeyer testified that
just about every activity makes him short of breath. He testified that he is not able to work
the same hours he used to work at his tavern, due to shortness of breath. Although he plays
golf, he must use a golf cart. Mr. Hyatt testified that he would have to stop halfway up the
stairs due to shortness of breath. Dr. Pohl testified that the plaintiffs' complaints were
consistent with his diagnosis of asbestosis. The plaintiffs testified that they experience
shortness of breath to varying degrees, and they gave some indication on how this impacts
their lives.
In addition to the testimony of the plaintiffs, expert testimony was presented that
asbestosis has the very real potential to worsen in the future. In addition, expert testimony
was presented regarding the increased risk of cancer, and the plaintiffs testified regarding the
concern and worry this caused them. As explained elsewhere in this opinion, the jury was
correctly instructed on these elements of damages, and it was within its discretion to assess
a monetary value for these noneconomic items of damage. Because we cannot say that the
amounts awarded fall outside the range of fair and reasonable compensation or result from
9 passion or prejudice or that the amounts awarded are so large that they shock the judicial
conscience, we will not disturb the award. Accordingly, the circuit court did not err when
it denied the Railroad's motion for a new trial on damages or a remittitur.
[The follow ing material is nonpublishable under Supreme Court Rule 23.]
3. Instructing the Jury on Negligence and Damages
The Railroad argues that the circuit court erred by instructing the jury on the issues
of negligence and damages. "A litigant has the right to have the jury clearly and fairly
instructed upon each theory which was supported by the evidence." Leonardi v. Loyola
University of Chicago, 168 Ill. 2d 83, 100 (1995) (citing Ervin v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 65
Ill. 2d 140, 145 (1976)). "However, it is error to give an instruction not based on the
evidence." Leonardi, 168 Ill. 2d at 100. "The question of what issues have been raised by
the evidence is within the discretion of the trial court." Leonardi, 168 Ill. 2d at 100. "The
evidence may be slight; a reviewing court may not reweigh it or determine if it should lead
to a particular conclusion." Leonardi, 168 Ill. 2d at 100. "The test in determining the
propriety of tendered instructions is whether the jury was fairly, fully, and comprehensively
informed as to the relevant principles, considering the instructions in their entirety."
Leonardi, 168 Ill. 2d at 100.
b. Instructions on Negligence
We note that heading "L" in the Railroad's brief includes a statement that the circuit
court abused its discretion in instructing the jury regarding the Railroad's negligence.
However, the Railroad's brief is devoid of any argument regarding any error the circuit court
might have made in instructing the jury on negligence. Pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court
Rule 341(h)(7) (210 Ill. 2d R. 341(h)(7)), points not argued in the appellant's brief are
waived. Moreover, even if the Railroad had not waived the issue of the jury instructions on
10 negligence, there is ample evidence in the record upon which the circuit court could base
those instructions, as we have explained below with regard to the circuit court's denial of the
Railroad's motion for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the issue of negligence.
Accordingly, the circuit court did not err in instructing the jury with regard to negligence.
c. Instructions on Future Medical Expenses
With regard to damages, the Railroad argues that the circuit court abused its discretion
when it instructed the jury it could award the plaintiffs damages for future medical expenses.
As previously noted with regard to the motion for a new trial on damages, our review of the
record reveals that there was enough evidence for the circuit court to so instruct the jury. Dr.
Schonfeld testified that because the plaintiffs were diagnosed with asbestosis, they would
need periodic X rays, medical exams, and colonoscopies. Similarly, Dr. Pohl testified that
an asbestosis patient must have routine pulmonary testing throughout his life. Copple
testified that he plans to monitor his condition with his family doctor. Heinrichsmeyer
testified that he also plans to monitor his health. Hyatt testified, without objection, that his
doctor told him he would need a chest X ray every year. From this testimony, we conclude
that there was "some evidence" to warrant a future-medical-expense instruction. See Mikus
v. Norfolk & Western Ry. Co., 312 Ill. App. 3d 11, 33 (2000) (holding that expert testimony
that future medical treatment is required is sufficient to warrant a future-medical-expense
instruction). Accordingly, the circuit court did not err when it instructed the jury that it could
award future medical expenses to the plaintiffs.
d. Instructions on Present Cash Value
In a related argument, the Railroad argues that the circuit court erred when it
instructed the jury that it must reduce any future-medical-expense award to present cash
value but failed to instruct the jury on the requisite methods to calculate present cash value.
The circuit court instructed the jury on present cash value as follows:
11 "In computing the damages arising in the future because of future medical
expenses[,] you must determine their present cash value. 'Present cash value' means
the sum of money needed now, which, when added to what that sum may reasonably
be expected to earn in the future, will equal the amount of the expenses at the time in
the future when the expenses must be paid.
Damages for pain and suffering and disability are not reduced to present cash
value."
This instruction was taken verbatim from Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Civil, No.
34.02 (2006) (hereinafter IPI Civil (2006)). There is no requirement that actuarial or
statistical evidence be present to guide the jury in its determination of present cash value
when this instruction is given. See Robinson v. Greeley & Hansen, 114 Ill. App. 3d 720, 725
(1983); Crabtree v. St. Louis-San Francisco Ry. Co., 89 Ill. App. 3d 35, 39 (1980). The
Railroad does not contest the definition of "present cash value" contained in the instruction,
does not claim the jury improperly computed present cash value, and did not submit another
formula that it believed better explained the method of arriving at present cash value. See
Robinson, 114 Ill. App. 3d at 725. We recognize, as did the courts in Robinson and Crabtree,
that actuarial evidence is often helpful to juries in reducing damages to monetary figures.
Robinson, 114 Ill. App. 3d at 725; Crabtree, 89 Ill. App. 3d at 39. However, that evidence
could have been presented by the Railroad had it felt that it was necessary. See Robinson,
114 Ill. App. 3d at 725; Crabtree, 89 Ill. App. 3d at 39. Accordingly, the circuit court did
not err in instructing the jury on present cash value.
e. Instructions on Pain and Suffering and Disability
The Railroad also argues that the circuit court erred in instructing the jury on pain and
suffering and disability. However, as set forth above, we find ample evidence to support the
jury's verdicts for the plaintiffs for both of these elements of damage. Accordingly, we find
12 no error in the circuit court's instructions in these areas.
f. Instructions Regarding the Plaintiffs' Longevity
With regard to the instructions on future damages, the Railroad also takes issue with
the circuit court instructing the jury in accordance with IPI Civil (2006) No. 34.01. That
instruction provided as follows:
"If you find that a plaintiff is entitled to damages arising in the future because
of injuries, you must determine the amount of these damages which will arise in the
future.
If these damages are of a continuing nature, you may consider how long they
will continue. If these damages are permanent in nature, then in computing these
damages you may consider how long the plaintiff is likely to live."
The Railroad contends it was error to give this instruction without mortality tables in
evidence to instruct the jury on how long the plaintiffs are likely to live. However, the
Railroad points to no authority, and our research reveals none, that requires those tables to
be admitted into evidence prior to instructing the jury that it may consider how long the
plaintiff is likely to live in assessing future damages. In fact, IPI Civil (2006) No. 34.04
instructs the jury on the use of mortality tables if and when they are entered into evidence.
That instruction states that the jury is only to use mortality tables "in connection with other
evidence relating to the probable life expectancy of the plaintiff in this case, including
evidence of his occupation, health, habits, and other activities, bearing in mind that some
persons live longer and some persons less than the average." IPI Civil (2006) No. 34.04. As
is the case with the actuarial data, the R ailroad was free to offer mortality tables into
evidence. The circuit court did not err in giving IPI Civil (2006) No. 34.01.
13 4. Denial of the Motion for a Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict
The Railroad argues that the trial court erred in denying its motion for a judgment
notwithstanding the verdict (n.o.v.) because the plaintiffs failed to present any evidence that
the Railroad acted negligently toward them or that they were injured as a result of any
negligent conduct. The Railroad further argues that the plaintiffs failed to offer any evidence
of pain, suffering, or loss of a normal life expectancy. To analyze these issues on appeal, we
begin with the standard the circuit court must employ in ruling on a motion for a judgment
n.o.v., as well as our standard of review. "[A] judgment n.o.v. is properly entered in those
limited cases where 'all of the evidence, when viewed in its aspect most favorable to the
opponent, so overwhelmingly favors movant that no contrary verdict based on that evidence
could ever stand.' " Maple v. Gustafson, 151 Ill. 2d 445, 453 (1992) (quoting Pedrick v.
Peoria & Eastern R.R. Co., 37 Ill. 2d 494, 510 (1967)). "Put another way, 'a motion for
judgment [notwithstanding the verdict] presents "a question of law as to whether, when all
of the evidence is considered, together with all reasonable inferences from it in its aspect
most favorable to the plaintiffs, there is a total failure or lack of evidence to prove any
necessary element of the [plaintiff's] case." ' " Blount v. Stroud, Nos. 1-06-2428, 1-06-2968,
slip op. at 9 (September 28, 2007) (quoting York v. Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical
Center, 222 Ill. 2d 147, 178 (2006) (quoting Merlo v. Public Service Co. of Northern Illinois,
381 Ill. 300, 311 (1942))). Appellate courts employ a de novo standard of review when
reviewing decisions on motions for a judgment n.o.v. McClure v. Owens Corning Fiberglas
Corp., 188 Ill. 2d 102, 132 (1999).
b. Liability
With regard to the Railroad's argument that the circuit court erred in denying its
motion for a judgment n.o.v. because the plaintiffs failed to present evidence on the issue of
14 liability, FELA provides as follows:
"Sec. 1 of [FELA] makes the carrier liable in damages for any injury or death
'resulting in whole or in part from the negligence' of any of its 'officers, agents, or
employees.' *** At common law the duty of the employer to use reasonable care in
furnishing his employees with a safe place to work was plain. [Citation.] That rule
is deeply engrained in federal jurisprudence. [Citations.] *** [I]t is a duty which
becomes 'more imperative' as the risk increases. *** It is that rule which obtains
under [FELA]." Bailey v. Central Vermont Ry., 319 U.S. 350, 352-53, 87 L. Ed.
1444, 1447, 63 S. Ct. 1062, 1063-64 (1943).
The most basic question for the court in every FELA case is "whether the proofs
justify with reason the conclusion that employer negligence played any part, even the
slightest, in producing the injury or death for which damages are sought." Rogers v. Missouri
Pacific R.R. Co., 352 U.S. 500, 506, 1 L. Ed. 2d 493, 499, 77 S. Ct. 443, 448 (1957). The
quantum of evidence necessary to support a jury verdict of liability in a FELA case is "much
less than in an ordinary negligence case." Lewis v. Cotton Belt Route-St. Louis Southwestern
Ry. Co., 217 Ill. App. 3d 94, 112 (1991). That causes other than employer negligence have
played a role in the plaintiff's injury does not preclude a finding of negligence against the
employer. Rogers, 352 U.S. at 506, 1 L. Ed. 2d at 499, 77 S. Ct. at 448.
Our review of the record on appeal leaves no doubt that the plaintiffs submitted
evidence from which the jury could determine that the Railroad knew or should have known
that the plaintiffs were exposed to harmful levels of asbestos during their employment and
that they were injured as a result of this exposure. Without objection, the plaintiffs
introduced exhibits that indicated that the Railroad was aware of the risks of asbestos
exposure as early as the mid-1930s, that asbestos was dangerous whether workers handled
it themselves or were only near others using it, and that certain safety precautions could
15 lessen those risks. Lyndle Burton, the Railroad's manager of industrial hygiene,
acknowledged that, from an industrial hygiene perspective, a failure to implement the safety
precautions recommended in the exhibits was unreasonable based on the knowledge reflected
in the exhibits that asbestos is dangerous.
Charles Garrett, the Railroad's senior risk mitigation officer, testified that he
investigates claims against the Railroad for lung injuries from substances such as asbestos.
He testified that the Railroad's discovery responses included statements that it did not issue
any written warnings to its employees about the hazards of asbestos exposure, and the
Railroad did not deny that asbestos was used in the workplaces where the plaintiffs were
employed. The plaintiffs testified at length and in detail regarding how they were exposed
to asbestos materials and they were present when asbestos dust was in the air in the various
facilities where they worked. The plaintiffs also testified that the Railroad did not provide
them with respirators to filter out the dust, did not tell them that exposure to asbestos dust
might be dangerous, and did not advise them to take any safety precautions, such as wetting
down the dust, when working with or around asbestos.
The plaintiffs' expert witness, Dr. Michael Ellenbecker, a certified industrial hygienist,
testified that the medical and surgical section of the Association of American Railroads, of
which the Railroad was a member, recognized as early as 1937 that asbestos used in the
Railroad's workplaces posed a hazard. He stated that the railroad industry recognized the
concept of bystander exposure to asbestos as early as 1940 and that the plaintiffs were
exposed to very high and unsafe levels of asbestos during their employment with the
Railroad, even though methods to reduce exposure to asbestos were available. He concluded
that the Railroad did not provide the plaintiffs with a reasonably safe place to work. There
is no doubt from our review of the record that the plaintiffs produced sufficient evidence of
FELA liability to withstand a motion for a judgment n.o.v.
16 c. Damages
In addition, we cannot say that the plaintiffs failed to produce sufficient evidence of
damages to withstand a motion for a judgment n.o.v. As explained above, we find ample
evidence in the record to support the jury's verdicts. Because the plaintiffs put forth some
evidence for each element necessary to prove their FELA claims, we find that the circuit
court did not err in denying the Railroad's motion for a judgment n.o.v.
5. Denial of the Motion to Sever
The Railroad argues that the circuit court erred by failing to sever the plaintiffs' trials
because their claims lacked the requisite commonality to justify consolidation. Specifically,
the Railroad contends that the plaintiffs were allegedly exposed to asbestos when they
worked at different facilities, during different time periods, for markedly different durations,
in different trades, through the use of different products. "An action may be severed, and
actions pending in the same court may be consolidated, as an aid to convenience, whenever
it can be done without prejudice to a substantial right." 735 ILCS 5/2-1006 (West 2004).
The trial court has broad discretion in matters of consolidation and severance, which
discretion is to be guided by considerations of convenience and the rights of the parties.
Needy v. Sparks, 51 Ill. App. 3d 350, 355-56 (1977). "Where separate causes are of the same
nature, involve the same or like issues[,] and depend largely upon the same evidence,
consolidation is not an abuse of discretion." Ad-Ex, Inc. v. City of Chicago, 247 Ill. App. 3d
97, 103 (1993). Indeed, in at least one instance, this court has found consolidation proper
with regard to three personal injury claims and one wrongful death claim where the jury was
properly instructed, the evidence was not confusing or misleading, and the record did not
show any prejudice to the defendant. Pickering v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 265 Ill.
App. 3d 806, 811-12 (1994). "Inherent in the power to consolidate is the authority to
integrate evidence at a joint trial in the interest of convenience and economy." Pickering,
17 265 Ill. App. 3d at 811.
We agree with the plaintiffs that the trial of their cases together was not unfair to the
Railroad. The evidence regarding the Railroad's knowledge of the hazards of asbestos in the
workplace and the available safety measures for reducing those risks was the same for all
three plaintiffs. The Railroad's knowledge of these hazards was not dependent upon location,
so the fact that the plaintiffs may have worked at different locations is not dispositive of the
severance issue. We recognize that the jury had to assess the damages issues for each of the
three plaintiffs separately. However, we find that the trial court balanced this factor with the
need for convenience in the administration of justice and determined that the jury could
handle the separate damages of three or four plaintiffs at the same time without causing
substantial prejudice to the Railroad. The jury was properly instructed that it was to
determine the cases of each plaintiff separately on its own merits. We find that the decision
to allow a consolidated trial of three plaintiffs was not an abuse of discretion.
6. Denial of Motion for Leave to File Third-Party Complaint for Contribution
On March 9, 2006, less than three months before the start of the jury trial under
review, the Railroad filed a motion for leave to file a third-party complaint against nine
asbestos manufacturers and one insurance company. In the motion, the Railroad alleged that
it should be allowed to file the third-party complaint because "it is necessary to ensure that
[the Railroad] does not pay more than its pro rata share of any responsibility it may have for
plaintiffs' claimed injuries." The Railroad alleged that it had not filed the motion earlier
because it "needed to conduct an investigation with respect to those companies or entities that
may be responsible for plaintiffs' claimed injuries." The Railroad blamed its late filing on
the plaintiffs, who "did not provide information in response to defendant's discovery requests
regarding other lawsuits until August 2005." The Railroad alleged that it "then, at its own
considerable expense, traveled to Florida and reviewed those files to obtain copies of all
18 relevant pleadings." On March 15, 2006, the circuit court denied the motion as untimely with
regard to the trial of the plaintiffs, although it later granted the motion for future trials.
Although the trial court may allow a FELA defendant to file a third-party complaint
for contribution (Norfolk & Western Ry. Co. v. Ayers, 538 U.S. 135, 162, 155 L. Ed. 2d 261,
284, 123 S. Ct. 1210, 1226 (2003)), the circuit court is justified in exercising its discretion
to deny leave to file a third-party complaint when a late filing would delay the underlying
trial. Grimming v. Alton & Southern Ry. Co., 204 Ill. App. 3d 961, 977-78 (1990). The
appropriate time for the Railroad to have filed its third-party complaint for contribution was
within the time for it to file its answer. See Grimming, 204 Ill. App. 3d at 977.
In its motion, the Railroad did not assert that when it filed its answer in April 2004,
it did not know or have records of the manufacturers providing asbestos products to the
facilities at which the plaintiffs worked. When the Railroad filed its answer, it failed to file
a request for an extension of time within which to file its third-party complaint. Rather, the
Railroad waited until almost two years after it had filed its answer and less than three months
before the trial under review to request leave to file a third-party complaint. As in Grimming,
if the circuit court had granted the Railroad's motion for the trial under review, 10 additional
third-party defendants would have been brought into the case, necessarily delaying the trial.
The fact that the circuit court granted the motion for subsequent trials substantiates the fact
that the circuit court's denial was based on the delay. It was not an abuse of the circuit court's
discretion for the court to determine that it was a prejudice to these plaintiffs on the
immediate trial docket to grant the motion for leave to file a third-party complaint.
7. Exclusion of Evidence of Absence of W arnings From Asbestos Manufacturers
The Railroad's fourth issue on appeal is that the circuit court erred in granting the
plaintiffs' motion in limine to exclude evidence that the manufacturers of the asbestos-
19 containing products used in the Railroad's facilities did not include warnings on their
packages. The Railroad argues that evidence regarding warnings is relevant to the issue of
foreseeabililty and, therefore, properly admitted. " 'Whether granted or denied, a motion in
limine itself does not preserve the issue for appellate review.' " Bergman v. Kelsey, 375 Ill.
App. 3d 612, 635 (2007) (quoting Sullivan-Coughlin v. Palos Country Club, Inc., 349 Ill.
App. 3d 553, 561 (2004)). " 'Rather, to preserve an error in the exclusion of evidence, the
proponent of the evidence must make an adequate offer of proof in the [circuit] court.' "
Bergman, 375 Ill. App. 3d at 635 (quoting Sullivan-Coughlin, 349 Ill. App. 3d at 561).
" 'Failure to make such offer of proof results in waiver of the issue on appeal.' " Bergman,
375 Ill. App. 3d at 635 (quoting Sullivan-Coughlin, 349 Ill. App. 3d at 561).
Here, as set forth in the Railroad's reply brief, the only offer of proof that the Railroad
made concerning warnings on asbestos products was during the video evidence deposition
of the plaintiffs' expert industrial hygienist, Michael J. Ellenbecker. During this deposition,
the Railroad presented Mr. Ellenbecker with a document that, according to the Railroad, dealt
with Kaylo pipe insulation, an insulating product made by Owens-Corning in the 1950s. The
Railroad had Mr. Ellenbecker read some writing on the document that stated "non[]irritating
to the skin and non[]toxic." We find that, even if evidence of warnings on asbestos products
was relevant to the issue of foreseeabililty, the Railroad failed to lay the proper foundation
for the admission of this evidence within its offer of proof. The offer of proof did not set
forth any evidence tending to prove that the Railroad used that particular product, when the
Railroad used the product, that anyone at the Railroad saw the statement on the exhibit, or
whether the Railroad relied on the statement. Accordingly, it was not an abuse of discretion
to exclude the evidence set forth in the offer of proof. We find the issue of admissibility
waived for all other direct evidence of warnings on asbestos products, because absent an
offer of proof, there is no way to determine whether a proper foundation for the admission
20 of that evidence was established.
8. Sustaining Objection to Recross-Examination of Dr. Pohl on Lack of Warnings
The Railroad also argues that the circuit court erred in sustaining an objection to the
Railroad's cross-examination of the plaintiffs' expert, Dr. Douglas Pohl, regarding the
absence of warnings on asbestos products until the 1960s, after Dr. Pohl testified to that
effect on direct examination. On direct examination, the following colloquy occurred
between counsel for the plaintiffs and Dr. Pohl:
"Q. In 1969, Don Hyatt started working at a job for the *** Railroad where
he would remove asbestos pipe covering and reapply it, sometimes make this mud that
you've talked about and those sorts of activities. What is your opinion, sir, based upon
a reasonable degree of medical certainty as to whether it was generally known by
1969 that those types of activities carried a risk of asbestos disease?
A. Of course it was. The warnings were starting to go on products in 1964.
So, clearly, industry was well aware of the dangers and they were actually putting
warning labels on the products. The problem was and was recognized that if not all
the products had the warnings or the products were delivered to the workers without
warnings–
Q. Let me interrupt you there, sir."
The Railroad did not object or ask that Dr. Pohl's answer be stricken. After the direct
examination ended, the Railroad conducted a brief cross-examination of Dr. Pohl with
respect to his credentials, his possible bias as a hired expert witness who testifies primarily
on behalf of plaintiffs, his lack of specific knowledge of the plaintiffs' specific histories of
exposure and medical conditions, and other matters unrelated to the product-warnings issue.
On redirect, counsel for the plaintiffs questioned Dr. Pohl only on issues elicited by the
Railroad on cross-examination. On recross-examination, the Railroad stated as follows:
21 "One last area, Your Honor. You mentioned, Dr. Pohl, that when you talked about the
scientific literature[,] warnings from manufacturers didn't come in until the 1960[]s and early
'70[]s–"
At that time, the attorney for the plaintiffs objected on the basis that the questioning
violated the circuit court's order in limine. The attorney for the Railroad argued that the
plaintiffs opened the door to this questioning by eliciting information on the warnings issue
on direct. However, he did not make an offer of proof. From the record, it appears that
counsel was going to reiterate what Dr. Pohl had testified to on direct, that manufacturers
began to put warnings on their products in the 1960s. We can only guess what the remaining
portion of counsel's question was going to be. This, again, highlights the importance of
making an adequate offer of proof. "When a party seeks to have a reviewing court determine
whether the trial court's evidentiary rulings improperly restricted the examination of a
witness, the record must be clear regarding what the witness'[s] testimony would have been."
Holder v. Caselton, 275 Ill. App. 3d 950, 955 (1995). The purpose and importance of an
offer of proof have been described as follows:
" '[O]ffers of proof are designed to eliminate such speculation and not only to give the
trial court the opportunity to better understand the nature of the proffered
evidence–and thereby reevaluate its prior ruling–but also to give courts of review the
opportunity to see precisely the nature of the evidence the appellant complains the
trial court improperly excluded.' " Holder, 275 Ill. App. 3d at 955 (quoting People
v. Land, 241 Ill. App. 3d 1066, 1086 (1993)).
Because the Railroad failed to make an adequate offer of proof at the trial, this court
cannot know the exact nature of the evidence the Railroad claims the circuit court
erroneously excluded. See Holder, 275 Ill. App. 3d at 956. We decline to speculate about
what question counsel was attempting to ask Dr. Pohl and what Dr. Pohl's testimony would
22 have been. Accordingly, we have no basis upon which to conclude that the circuit court
erred in excluding the recross-examination of Dr. Pohl.
9. Excluding Evidence of Customs and Practices of Other Companies or Industries
The Railroad argues that the circuit court erred in excluding evidence of customs and
practices of other companies or industries in dealing with the dangers associated with
asbestos at the time of the plaintiffs' employment. The circuit court granted the plaintiffs'
motion in limine to exclude this evidence. However, the Railroad did not make any offer of
proof regarding this evidence. As explained above with regard to the evidence of the lack
of warnings on asbestos-containing products, there is no way for this court to review the
propriety of the circuit court's ruling on this issue because there is no way of knowing what
the evidence would have shown. Accordingly, we find this issue waived.
10. Allowing Evidence of the Diagnosis of a Nonplaintiff
The Railroad argues that the circuit court erred by allowing evidence of the specific
diagnosis of a plaintiff not involved in the trial during the plaintiffs' cross-examination of the
Railroad's expert radiologist, Brent Harrison, M.D. On direct examination, Dr. Harrison
testified that based on his review of the plaintiffs' chest X rays, they did not truly have the
asbestos-related disease with which they had been diagnosed by Dr. Schonfeld. During
cross-examination, counsel for the plaintiffs established that Dr. Harrison had been
acquainted with defense counsel for several years. Counsel then stated to Dr. Harrison that
he wished to review the diagnoses set forth in Dr. Harrison's reports with regard to other
injured claimants referred to Dr. Harrison by counsel for the Railroad. The Railroad objected
on the basis of relevance, and the circuit court overruled the objection. The Railroad
requested a continuing objection, which the circuit court noted. Counsel for the plaintiffs
then proceeded to verify with Dr. Harrison that his reports on several other injured claimants
stated, "[T]here is no evidence of active disease and nothing to suggest previous occupational
23 exposure." Dr. Harrison answered each leading question in the affirmative but kept
interjecting that there was more in the reports' summaries than counsel was suggesting.
Counsel for the plaintiffs then asked the same question about Dr. Harrison's report on
Daniel Hogan, a nonplaintiff associated with a previous trial group in this matter. Dr.
Harrison again verified that he had reached the same conclusion–that "there is no evidence
of active disease and nothing to suggest previous occupational exposure"–but again
interjected that there was more written in Mr. Hogan's summary than counsel for the
plaintiffs had read. Counsel then stated, "Right, because Dan Hogan had cancer and had part
of his lung removed, isn't that true?" The Railroad then objected, again on the basis of
relevance. The circuit court did not rule on this objection, and the questioning continued
concerning another claimant.
According to the Railroad, the circuit court should have sustained the Railroad's
objection and stricken the question concerning Mr. Hogan from the record. However, the
plaintiffs correctly point out that the Railroad did not properly preserve this error for review
because it failed to obtain a ruling on its objection. See Harris Trust & Savings Bank v.
Abraham-Zwirn, 314 Ill. App. 3d 527, 540 (2000) (citing People v. Waller, 67 Ill. 2d 381,
386 (1977)). In addition, we may consider this issue waived pursuant to Illinois Supreme
Court Rule 341(h)(7) (210 Ill. 2d R. 341(h)(7)), because the Railroad cites no authority for
its position. See also Piasa Motor Fuels v. Industrial Comm'n, 368 Ill. App. 3d 1197, 1205
(2006). Accordingly, we find that the Railroad has waived this issue on appeal.
Moreover, "[a] reviewing court will grant reversal based on evidentiary rulings only
when the error was substantially prejudicial and affected the outcome of the trial." Bachman
v. General Motors Corp., 332 Ill. App. 3d 760, 785 (2002). "The burden is on the party
seeking reversal to establish prejudice." Bachman, 332 Ill. App. 3d at 785. We do not
believe that the Railroad has met its burden to establish such prejudice. The Railroad's
24 contention in this regard is that M r. Hogan's condition bolstered the plaintiffs' claims of their
alleged fear of cancer. However, even absent the question from counsel regarding a
nonplaintiff's cancerous condition, the Railroad introduced credible evidence, in the form of
expert testimony, that a person with asbestosis is at an increased risk of cancer. Accordingly,
we cannot find that the question affected the outcome of the trial, and we decline to reverse
the judgment of the circuit court on this basis.
11. Excluding Evidence of Other Medical Conditions of the Plaintiffs
The Railroad also claims that the circuit court erred when it granted the plaintiffs'
motion in limine to exclude evidence of their medical conditions that were not alleged to be
asbestos-related. However, the Railroad fails to cite to the record to direct this court to any
offer of proof made by the Railroad at the trial regarding evidence of any of the other medical
conditions it sought to have admitted. This is a violation of Illinois Supreme Court Rule
341(h)(7) (210 Ill. 2d R. 341(h)(7)), which requires that the argument portion of the
appellant's brief include citation of the pages of the record relied on. In addition, we note
that the Railroad's brief incorrectly describes the circuit court's ruling. The circuit court
granted the plaintiffs' motion in limine to exclude "any reference or evidence that any
plaintiff suffered from any disease other than those claimed herein unless defendant can first
lay a proper foundation that the other illness or disease is connected to the plaintiff's
currently claimed illness or symptoms." (Emphasis added.) The circuit court's ruling was
a correct reflection of the law. The Illinois Supreme Court has held that such a foundation
is necessary before introducing evidence of other injuries. See Voykin v. Estate of DeBoer,
192 Ill. 2d 49, 59 (2000). Without an adequate offer of proof, neither the circuit court nor
this court has any way of knowing whether the Railroad could establish an adequate
foundation for the evidence it sought to introduce or whether expert testimony was necessary
to establish the relationship between the plaintiffs' complaints and their other injuries and
25 conditions. See Voykin, 192 Ill. 2d at 59. Hence, we find this issue waived with regard to
any evidence for which there was no offer of proof and for which the Railroad fails to cite
to the record.
Although waived for a failure to cite to the record on appeal, our review of the record
establishes that the Railroad did attempt to ask Mr. Hyatt on cross-examination whether he
has high blood pressure. The plaintiffs objected, citing the circuit court's order in limine
which required that a proper foundation be established for the admission of evidence of
another medical condition. During a sidebar, the Railroad explained to the circuit court that
it wished to ask Mr. Hyatt whether anyone had ever told him his high blood pressure could
be attributed to his shortness of breath and whether he was following his doctor's advice
about taking medication for high blood pressure. The circuit court asked the Railroad if it
had any witness who could attribute high blood pressure to shortness of breath. The Railroad
replied: "I don't know, Your Honor. I was just going to ask him if anybody ever told him
that." The plaintiffs pointed out that the Railroad had disclosed no expert opinion on the
matter. The circuit court sustained the objection. We find that this was proper because the
Railroad was unable to establish the requisite foundation under Voykin. 192 Ill. 2d at 59.
12. Denying the Railroad's Motion to Quash the Subpoena of Lyndle Burton
The Railroad argues that the circuit court erred by denying the Railroad's motion to
quash the plaintiffs' Illinois Supreme Court Rule 237 (210 Ill. 2d R. 237) subpoena, which
compelled the testimony of the Railroad's employee, Lyndle Burton. Rule 237(b) provides
that the appearance at a trial of a person who at the time of the trial is an officer, director, or
employee of a party may be required by serving the party with a notice designating the person
who is required to appear. 210 Ill. 2d R. 237(b). "Compelling the appearance of a party at
trial is a matter for the sound discretion of the trial court, and the court's power to order a
party to appear should only be exercised for a good cause and in such a manner that a party
26 may not be subject to harassment, oppression[,] or hardship." Pickering v. Owens-Corning
Fiberglas Corp., 265 Ill. App. 3d 806, 816 (1994).
According to the Railroad, compelling Burton's appearance was error because Burton
was not hired until 2003 and thus had no relevant information regarding the Railroad's
industrial hygiene practices and procedures during the plaintiffs' employment from 1939 to
1979. We note that the plaintiffs did not file a response to the motion to quash and that the
transcript of the final pretrial conference, which according to the docket sheet is when the
circuit court heard arguments on the motion to quash, is not a part of the record on appeal.
Therefore, we have no way of knowing the justification given by the plaintiffs for compelling
Burton's attendance at the trial. However, our review of the record reveals that Burton was
called as an adverse witness at the trial pursuant to section 2-1102 of the Illinois Code of
Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-1102 (West 2004)). On cross-examination, he testified to his
qualifications as an expert witness in the field of industrial hygiene and explained the nature
of the field to the jury. He testified that the purpose of an industrial hygienist is to ensure a
safe workplace and that he was the first hygienist to be hired by the Railroad despite the field
having been in existence since at least the 1940s.
Burton further testified that he was familiar with the "AAR documents," which is a
group of documents that were admitted into evidence without objection. These documents
consist of various letters and meeting notes obtained from the Association of American
Railroads (the AAR), of which the Railroad is a member. Without objection, counsel for the
plaintiffs reviewed these documents with Burton, and based on these documents, Burton
opined that the Railroad knew that asbestos could potentially be hazardous in the 1930s.
Burton further opined that the Railroad's failure to implement the recommendations set forth
in the AAR documents, such as air testing, wetting down asbestos to minimize dust, and the
use of respirators, would have been an unreasonable safety practice at the time that these
27 recommendations were issued. Furthermore, Burton explained to the jury the concept of
bystander exposure. Based on the foregoing testimony by Burton, we cannot say that the
circuit court's order compelling his attendance at the trial pursuant to Illinois Supreme Court
Rule 237 was an abuse of discretion. Burton clearly had information relevant to the issues
of liability in this action.
13. Prohibiting the Railroad From Cross-Examining Dr. Breyer on the "Gitlin Study"
The Railroad next argues that the circuit court erred when it prohibited the Railroad
from cross-examining the plaintiffs' expert, Donald A. Breyer, M .D., concerning the "Gitlin
Study." "Decisions of the trial court on the admission of evidence will not be disturbed
absent an abuse of discretion." Bowman v. University of Chicago Hospitals, 366 Ill. App.
3d 577, 587 (2006). "A court abuses its discretion when no reasonable person would agree
with the trial court's decision." Bowman, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 587. "In general, cross-
examination of an expert witness with material from 'a recognized text or treatise is proper
where either the court has taken judicial notice of the author's competence [citation] or,
absent concession by the witness, the cross-examiner proves the text or treatise is
authoritative [citations].' " Bowman, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 587 (quoting People v. Johnson, 206
Ill. App. 3d 875, 879 (1990)). "The author's competence is established if the judge takes
judicial notice of it[] or if it is established by a witness expert in the subject." Darling v.
Charleston Community Memorial Hospital, 33 Ill. 2d 326, 336 (1965).
Here, the circuit court granted the plaintiffs' motion in limine to exclude "[a]ny
reference to a publication by Gitlin, et al., unless defendant can first establish, outside the
presence of the jury, an acceptable foundation for reference to the article in the presence of
the jury." The only offer of proof made by the Railroad was during the cross-examination
of Dr. Breyer, who testified via video evidence deposition. Dr. Breyer testified that he is a
diagnostic radiologist and a "B-reader" who is certified by the National Institute of
28 Occupational Safety and Health. As Dr. Breyer explained, a B-reader conducts side-by-side
comparisons of patients' chest X rays with standard films that reflect varying degrees of
exposure to asbestos. Dr. Breyer testified that he conducted B-read examinations of all three
plaintiffs' chest X rays. On each plaintiff's B-read, Dr. Breyer testified to varying degrees
of abnormalities consistent with asbestosis.
On cross-examination, the Railroad asked Dr. Breyer if he was familiar with the Gitlin
Study. Dr. Breyer testified that he had heard of the study and had read the article about a
year before his testimony. Dr. Breyer verified that the article on the Gitlin Study appeared
in the Journal of Academic Radiology, which is a peer-reviewed journal. Dr. Breyer
admitted that when he was publishing in his academic career, he relied upon various review
articles as source material. The Railroad then asked Breyer if the Gitlin Study is the type of
article that he would have looked at if he was going to express an opinion or write an article
on the same topic. Dr. Breyer answered that he could only say that it is an article in a peer-
reviewed journal. Dr. Breyer then explained that it was his understanding that the authors
of the Gitlin Study had compared some B-reader findings with their own findings and had
concluded that these B-reader radiologists had a higher number of positive findings than they
did. Dr. Breyer did not recall the exact figures. The article itself does not appear in the
record on appeal.
Based on the foregoing, we cannot say that it was an abuse of discretion to exclude
the cross-examination of Dr. Breyer concerning the Gitlin Study. A reasonable person could
find that the Railroad's offer of proof did not establish the authors' competence or the
authoritative nature of the article. We recognize that Dr. Breyer admitted that the article was
published in a peer-reviewed journal. However, the authors of the article were not even
identified, and we decline to hold that proof that a study is published in a peer-reviewed
journal establishes, as a matter of law, the requisite foundation. Accordingly, we will not
29 reverse the judgment of the circuit court on this basis.
14. Excluding Testimony Regarding the "Halley Study"
Finally, the Railroad argues that the circuit court erred when it precluded the Railroad
from eliciting testimony regarding the "Halley Study." According to the Railroad's brief, the
Railroad attempted to elicit testimony regarding the Halley Study from the plaintiffs'
industrial hygiene expert, Dr. Michael Ellenbecker, on cross-examination, as well as the
Railroad's own industrial hygiene expert, Dr. Francis W eir, on direct examination. Both
experts testified via video evidence deposition. Although the Railroad cites to the record
where the circuit court's ruling can be found regarding the cross-examination of Michael
Ellenbecker, it fails to cite to the ruling regarding Dr. Weir and fails to cite the actual
testimony that was stricken from the video evidence depositions of the experts and served
as the Railroad's offer of proof. A gain, this is a clear violation of Illinois Supreme Court
Rule 341(h)(7) (210 Ill. 2d R. 341(h)(7)), and we could consider this issue waived on this
basis.
Despite the Railroad's clear violation of Rule 341(h)(7), we have scoured the record
for the testimony and argument needed to resolve the issue on appeal. Our review of the
record reveals that Dr. Ellenbecker testified on direct examination that he took into
consideration a study, entitled the "Millette Study," in rendering his opinion that the plaintiffs
were exposed to significant levels of asbestos in the course of their employment with the
Railroad. Millette had simulated several activities involving asbestos that were occurring in
the railroad industry during the relevant time period and had measured the exposure levels
for those activities. On cross-examination, the Railroad asked Dr. Ellenbecker whether he
was aware of the Halley Study, a study that reported that an inspector in Huntington, West
Virginia, had taken a measurement of exposure at a railroad facility during the mixing of
asbestos mud and had determined that there was an acceptable exposure level. Dr.
30 Ellenbecker testified, over the plaintiffs' objection, that he was aware of the study and that,
in his opinion, the study reached an erroneous conclusion. At the trial, the circuit court
sustained the plaintiffs' objection to cross-examination of Dr. Ellenbecker using the Halley
Study, and this testimony was cut from the video that was shown to the jury at the trial.
During the Railroad's case in chief, the Railroad requested that it be permitted to read
to the jury the prior testimony of Dr. Weir (from the trial of a prior group of plaintiffs in this
cause) due to Dr. Weir's unavailability. During the prior trial, Dr. Weir testified that he had
conducted a literature review which included the Halley Study. He then described the report
and its findings, explaining that it was published by a public agency. At no time did Dr. Weir
testify that he considered the author to be competent or the study to be authoritative. Upon
objection in the prior trial, the Railroad asserted that Dr. Weir had not relied on the Halley
Study in forming his opinions and that the Halley Study was being offered as circumstantial
proof that the Railroad had knowledge of the study. At the prior trial, the circuit court
overruled the objection to this testimony, allowing Dr. Weir's testimony.
The plaintiffs objected to the reading of Dr. Weir's testimony at the trial under review,
on the basis of hearsay, and the circuit court overruled the objection. Prior to the circuit
court's ruling on the objection, counsel for the Railroad stated, "The Halley material would
also have to be excluded." Cocounsel for the Railroad then stated: "We talked about Halley.
You already ruled that out in Ellenbecker's testimony, presuming your ruling is the same."
Following the circuit court's ruling that the testimony could be read to the jury, the following
colloquy between counsel and the circuit court occurred:
"THE COURT: Okay. Anything else before the jury comes in? You need time
to clean that up?
MR. GAVIN [counsel for the plaintiffs]: Yes. I mean I feel like I need to
make a record on a lot of this Dr. Weir testimony because there is a lot of stuff in here
31 that–there are pages of discussion about the Halley and stuff.
THE COURT: Okay. You agree to take that out?
MR. KURZ [counsel for the Railroad]: Well, I agree I'll abide by your ruling.
THE COURT: You agree it's coming out?
MR. KURZ: I think it should come in, but I understand your ruling.
THE COURT: Why don't the two or three of you take a few minutes, see what
you can excise out of there. If you don't agree, I'll rule.
MR. KURZ: That's fine."
The record reflects that the Railroad read to the jury the testimony of Dr. Weir,
excluding his testimony about the Halley Study, without further argument on the issue of its
admissibility.
We will first address the circuit court's decision to exclude the Railroad's cross-
examination of Dr. Ellenbecker regarding the Halley Study. The Railroad did not obtain Dr.
Ellenbecker's concession that the Halley Study was an authoritative source of information
in the field of industrial hygiene or that the author of the Halley Study was competent to
render the conclusions that were rendered in that study. See Bowman, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 587
(quoting Johnson, 206 Ill. App. 3d at 879); Darling, 33 Ill. 2d at 336. In fact, Dr.
Ellenbecker testified to just the opposite. Dr. Ellenbecker testified that the Halley Study
reached an erroneous conclusion. In addition, even if Dr. Weir's testimony concerning the
Halley Study had been admitted, Dr. Weir did not testify about the authoritative nature of the
Halley Study. In fact, the Railroad conceded during Dr. Weir's testimony at the first trial that
Dr. Weir's testimony regarding the Halley Study was not offered as a source that Dr. Weir
relied upon in reaching his opinions in this matter. According to the Railroad, Dr. Weir's
testimony regarding the existence of the Halley Study was being offered in the first trial only
as circumstantial evidence that the Railroad might have had knowledge of its conclusions.
32 Accordingly, we find that the circuit court's ruling was not an abuse of discretion because a
reasonable person could reach the same conclusion that the Railroad again failed to lay the
requisite foundation to use the Halley Study for the purpose of cross-examination.
We now turn to the exclusion of Dr. Weir's testimony about the Halley Study. The
circuit court clearly stated that the parties should excise all the testimony that they agreed to
excise from Dr. Weir's testimony and that if there was anything they did not agree on, the
circuit court would rule. The Railroad then read Dr. Weir's testimony to the jury, excluding
his testimony about the Halley Study, without any further argument. Accordingly, we find
that the Railroad failed to properly preserve any alleged error on the part of the circuit court
in excluding Dr. Weir's testimony on the Halley Study, by stipulating to its exclusion.
[The preceding material is nonpublishable under Supreme Court Rule 23.]
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
Affirmed.
WELCH and WEXSTTEN, JJ., concur.
33 NO. 5-06-0618
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
FIFTH DISTRICT ___________________________________________________________________________________
XON BLACKBURN et al., ) Appeal from the ) Circuit Court of Plaintiffs, ) Marion County. ) and ) ) DELBERT COPPLE, CARL HEINRICHSMEYER, ) and DONALD HYATT, ) ) Plaintiffs-Appellees, ) ) v. ) No. 04-L-25 ) ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD COMPANY, ) Honorable ) Patrick J. Hitpas, Defendant-Appellant. ) Judge, presiding. ___________________________________________________________________________________
Opinion Filed: January 22, 2008 ___________________________________________________________________________________
Justices: Honorable Stephen L. Spomer, J.
Honorable Thomas M. Welch, J., and Honorable James M. Wexstten, J., Concur ___________________________________________________________________________________
Attorneys Thomas R. Peters, Mark R. Kurz, Gundlach, Lee, Eggmann, Boyle & Roessler, 5000 for West Main Street, Box 23560, Belleville, IL 62223-0560 Appellant ___________________________________________________________________________________
Attorney William P. Gavin, Gavin Law Firm, #17 Park Place Professional Centre, Belleville, for IL 62226 Appellees ___________________________________________________________________________________
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Blackburn v. Illinois Central Railroad Company, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/blackburn-v-illinois-central-railroad-company-illappct-2008.