Oukrop v. Wasserburger

755 P.2d 233, 1988 Wyo. LEXIS 85, 1988 WL 55303

• Court: Wyoming Supreme Court
• Decided: June 1, 1988
• Docket: 86-306
• Status: Published

Opinions

THOMAS, Justice.

The critical question to be resolved in this case is whether the expert testimony of a pharmacologist-toxicologist is relevant in a case involving toxic injuries to a human being from a drug overdose when the expert testimony consists of an interpolation of the results of experiments on animals in the absence of empirical data with respect to people. There is a collateral procedural issue as to whether the expert testimony was a surprise to the defendant attributable to a failure to designate properly the expert witness in accordance with the pre-trial order. The trial court ruled that there was no basis for the claim of surprise and permitted the testimony to be introduced at trial. We agree with the rulings of the trial court, and we affirm the judgment.

The appellant, Ray K. Oukrop, D.D.S. (Dr. Oukrop), appeals from an amended judgment, including costs, in the total amount of $751,816.37 awarded to the ap-pellee, Dennis J. Wasserburger (Dennis), as the result of toxic poisoning and resulting injuries attributable to an overdose of the drug atropine. In his brief, Dr. Oukrop sets forth these issues to be resolved:

“I. Whether the district court abused its discretion when it permitted a professor of pharmacology, who was not a medical doctor and who had never examined or tested the plaintiff, to give to the jury his diagnosis and prognosis of the plaintiff’s brain damage.

“II. Whether the district court abused its discretion when it permitted the pharmacologist’s brain damage testimony even though that testimony was not set out in the pre-trial order.

“HI. Whether the errors in admitting the pharmacologist’s brain damage testimony were prejudicial.”

Dennis restates these issues in this way:

“I. Whether the pharmacologist-toxicologist was properly designated or did he cause surprise.

“II. Whether the pharmacologist-toxicologist was competent to testify regarding the probable toxic effects of the poison atropine on the appellee.

“III. If any error was committed, was it prejudicial enough to require a new trial.”

In a visit to Dr. Oukrop on January 7, 1984, Dennis sought advice with respect to the removal of his wisdom teeth. The product of that discussion was an appointment for oral surgery to remove the wisdom teeth on February 3,1984. During the January visit, Dr. Oukrop prescribed four chemical substances to be taken by Dennis prior to the surgery. One of those was a prescription for:

“Atropine Vi grain

Take ½ hour before dental appt.”

The atropine that was prescribed is twenty-five times the normal adult dosage.

Dennis took the prescriptions to a pharmacist in Gillette to have them filled. The pharmacist observed the excessive dosage in the atropine prescription and telephoned Dr. Oukrop to discuss the dosage. In a manifestation of professional arrogance, which wise practitioners of the healing arts avoid, Dr. Oukrop refused to discuss the prescription with the pharmacist, requested that the pharmacist fill the prescription as written and hung up. The pharmacist then filled the prescriptions, as they had been ordered, and gave them to Dennis. On the morning of the scheduled oral surgery, Dennis took all twenty-five atropine capsules in accordance with Dr. Oukrop’s direction.

Dr. Oukrop realized, prior to the surgery, that Dennis had taken a toxic dose of atropine in accordance with Dr. Oukrop’s instructions. He also knew of the possible side effects of that overdose. After recognizing that there had been an overdose, Dr. Oukrop called a medical doctor seeking advice with respect to the potential side effects. The medical doctor confirmed the overdose and suggested to Dr. Oukrop that, if he was concerned, he should call the Poison Control Center. Dr. Oukrop’s reaction was not a model of responsible behavior. Instead of calling the Poison Control Center — which he did eventually, more than twenty-four hours later — Dr. Oukrop proceeded with the surgery, after deciding that he would “just wait and see what Dennis was going to go through.” Dr. Oukrop did not advise either Dennis or his mother, who were his friends and had been his patients for almost twenty years, that Dennis had taken a toxic overdose of atropine.

The testimony of two emergency room physicians, who had worked with the Wyoming Poison Control Center, revealed that Dennis’ problems could have been avoided, or alleviated, to a substantial degree if Dr. Oukrop had informed someone of the overdose within approximately six hours. Treatment, in the form of giving Dennis something to induce vomiting, pumping his stomach, and giving him activated charcoal slurry and laxatives, could have been administered to eliminate the maximum possible amount of the atropine from his system. This treatment would have prevented most of the toxic effects of the overdose. At the trial, the same doctors testified about rate of absorption and that these were standard techniques to eliminate toxic substances taken orally.

On the way back to his home following the surgery, Dennis began to hallucinate and manifest unusual behavior. At 2:14 P.M., his mother called Dr. Oukrop to tell him of Dennis’ behavior and her concern about that. Dr. Oukrop told her to give Dennis some soup and malted milk in one hour and that Dennis would be okay. The hallucinations became worse, and, at 5:30 P.M., his mother called Dr. Oukrop again; Dr. Oukrop again assured Mrs. Wasserbur-ger that Dennis would be all right. At 9:00 P.M., in another telephone call, Dr. Oukrop instructed Mrs. Wasserburger to take Dennis outside for a walk, but that provided only temporary relief. After another call from Mrs. Wasserburger at 11:29 P.M., Dr. Oukrop promised to call her back, which he did. Dr. Oukrop never did explain to Mrs. Wasserburger that Dennis had taken a toxic overdose of atropine, nor did he suggest at any time that the Wasserburgers should obtain medical assistance. Dr. Oukrop even allowed Mr. and Mrs. Wasserburger to assume that Dennis may have been using illicit substances.

At 2:36 A.M. the next morning, Mrs. Wasserburger finally called the family physician about Dennis’ unusual behavior. In the course of that conversation, she read the label from the atropine bottle to the physician who then told Mrs. Wasserbur-ger what to anticipate and what to do. Dennis ran away from the family ranch house during this telephone conversation. The temperature was around thirty degrees, and Dennis was wearing only blue jeans, a velour shirt and moonboots. He thought he saw men chasing him with guns and shining lights on him. During his hallucinations, Dennis broke his glasses, ran into a barbed wire fence and got wet running through a creek. He also suffered a serious knee injury when he stepped off the top of a hill and fell forward through the snow. He managed to make his way to a neighbor’s ranch some two and one-half miles away from his home, and he spent the night in a haystack.

The next morning, Dennis still was hallucinating, and he saw the men who were after him blow up the haystack next to the one he was in. Assuming that they were going to blow up his haystack as well, Dennis left the haystack and was discovered by the neighbor. The neighbor persuaded Dennis to come into the house for some coffee and to telephone his parents. The Wasserburgers picked Dennis up and later took him to see the family physician. The physician examined Dennis, but, because of the length of time since the atropine had been administered, the physician was unable to suggest any treatment. The hallucinations continued throughout that day and into the following evening.

The next week, Dennis developed a jaw infection for which he eventually was hospitalized, treated and released. Evidence submitted at the trial indicated that his exposure and lack of rest following the oral surgery could have caused this infection. He returned to work February 16, 1984, but he had to quit a few days later because of his knee injury. That injury was treated by arthroscopic surgery in March, 1984. At the trial, Dennis and members of his family testified that he has difficulty remembering things, and his temper is more volatile. Furthermore, he is not as responsible as he was prior to the poisoning.

We turn first to the procedural attack upon the testimony of Dr. Allan C. Collins, an expert witness in pharmacology and toxicology. Dr. Collins testified as an expert witness in pharmacology-toxicology to a number of things, but the peculiar thrust of his testimony that generates the procedural issue was:

“Q. Based on those studies, doctor, do you have an opinion of what effect the overdose of atropine on Dennis Wasser-burger will have on him in the future?

“A. Yes.

“MR. UCHNER: I object, your Honor, and move that the testimony be stricken. This testimony, again, calls for speculation and conjecture. There are certain possibilities involved in this case. This witness is not qualified to give a medical opinion as to the particular plaintiff in this particular case.

“THE COURT: My feeling on that is that he is qualified to testify as to what his studies disclose, and you can take a shot at him in cross-examination if you wish to bring out some of the fallacies. Go ahead. You may answer the question, doctor.

“A. Would you repeat the question, please?

“Q. My question was: based on those studies, do you have an opinion of what the effect that the atropine overdose Dennis Wasserburger suffered will have on him in the future?

“A. Yes.

“Q. What is your opinion, doctor?

“A. It is highly probable that the receptors in Mr. Wasserburger’s brain have been affected in a fashion that is entirely consistent with the observations that we have made on animals.

“Q. And what effect will that have on Mr. Wasserburger in a high probability?

“A. Since the function of these receptors is involved in learning and memory, it is highly probable that you will have an alteration of learning and memory processes.”

Dr. Oukrop claims that the information furnished prior to trial in accordance with the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure did not suggest the possibility of such testimony by Dr. Collins, and Dr. Oukrop was entitled to a ruling that the testimony was not admissible.

The record discloses that Dr. Collins was first made known as a witness in a scheduling conference held by telephone conference call on October 22, 1985, a little less than three months after the complaint was filed. Then, on December 2, 1985, Dr. Collins was listed in a Notice of Experts, and his Curriculum Vitae and a November 6, 1984 report to counsel were attached to the Notice of Experts. Even though the report was limited to the immediate toxic effects of atropine and how those related to Dennis’ conduct, the Notice of Experts also stated:

“ * * * Any or all of the witnesses may testify as to the pharmacology of atropine, its effects, side effects, and propensities. Any or all of the above-referenced experts may testify that the damages suffered by the Plaintiff were a direct result of the drug overdose prescribed by the Defendant and that the injuries and the damages suffered by the Plaintiff were a natural and direct consequence of the Defendant’s acts and omissions.”

Next, in the Plaintiffs Pre-Trial Submissions filed February 18, 1986, Dr. Collins was identified as a witness “who will testify as to the composition and effects of the drug Atropine by itself and taken in combination with the other drugs given to the Plaintiff, * * It should be noted that, in this same pleading, other witnesses were listed with the notation that they would testify as to Dennis’ continuing injury and suffering and his changing personality subsequent to the incident.

Dr. Oukrop made no effort to depose Dr. Collins prior to the trial. Before Dr. Collins testified with respect to long-range effects of the drug atropine, Dr. Oukrop did object, claiming that this testimony went outside that disclosed by the pre-trial submissions, constituted a surprise to Dr. Ouk-rop, and should not be received because it amounted to a disregard of the pre-trial proceedings. The ultimate ruling of the trial court with respect to this objection was:

“THE COURT: Well, gentlemen, I guess I should say I don’t believe there is any surprise in this case. * * * You may go ahead.”

Dr. Collins then testified that it was highly probable that the receptors in Dennis’ brain had been affected and that meant he would have an alteration of learning and memory processes for which there was no known treatment.

Dr. Oukrop attacks the ruling of the trial judge admitting Dr. Collins’ testimony contending that the district judge departed from the terms of the pre-trial order. Primary reliance is placed upon Smith v. Ford Motor Company, 626 F.2d 784 (10th Cir. 1980), cert. denied 450 U.S. 918, 101 S.Ct. 1363, 67 L.Ed.2d 344 (1981). Dr. Oukrop argues that the burden Dennis must assume is to establish manifest injustice before the court could expand the pre-trial order in order to justify the admission of this testimony. Other authorities relied upon are Hale v. Firestone Tire & Rubber, 756 F.2d 1322 (8th Cir.1985); Roberto v. Roberto, 452 F.2d 635 (9th Cir.1971); Clark v. Pennsylvania Railroad Company, 328 F.2d 591 (2d Cir.1964), cert. denied 377 U.S. 1006, 84 S.Ct. 1943, 12 L.Ed.2d 1054 (1964); Globe Cereal Mills v. Scrivener, 240 F.2d 330 (10th Cir.1956); Walker v. West Coast Fast Freight, Inc., 233 F.2d 939 (9th Cir.1956); Fernandez v. United Fruit Company, 200 F.2d 414 (2d Cir.1952), cert. denied 345 U.S. 935, 73 S.Ct. 797, 97 L.Ed.2d 1363 (1953); and Fowler v. Crown-Zellerbach Corporation, 163 F.2d 773 (9th Cir.1947). In presenting his argument, Dr. Oukrop assumes that the challenged testimony constitutes a departure from the pre-trial submissions. Since we do not agree with that assumption, the authorities relied upon by Dr. Oukrop in this argument are distinguishable.

Rule 16, W.R.C.P., is similar to Rule 16, F.R.C.P., relating to pre-trial procedure. The subject also is addressed by Rule 601 of the Uniform Rules for the District Courts of the State of Wyoming. This latter rule is the one on point, and it provides in pertinent part:

“(c) Before pre-trial, counsel shall:

* * # * * *

“(4) Furnish opposing counsel names and addresses of witnesses with a summary of their expected testimony; * *

This rule was complied with in this instance, but Dr. Oukrop contends that the furnished summary circumscribed Dr. Collins’ testimony in such a way that he should not have been permitted to testify concerning the long-range effect of an overdose of atropine with respect to Dennis.

We previously have held that any requirement of adherence to a pre-trial order entered in accordance with our Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure is a matter of discretion with the trial court. Claims of error in that regard are examined under an abuse of discretion standard. Caldwell v. Yamaha Motor Company, Ltd., Wyo., 648 P.2d 519 (1982); Chrysler Corporation v. Todorovich, Wyo., 580 P.2d 1123 (1978); Ford Motor Company v. Kuhbacher, Wyo., 518 P.2d 1255 (1974). In this instance, the district court did not rule that testimony would be admitted by, in effect, amending the pre-trial order. The essence of the trial judge’s ruling was that the pre-trial submissions were sufficient to discern the tenor of Dr. Collins’ testimony. The trial court must be vested with as much discretion in construing its own orders as it is in permitting departure from those orders.

The pre-trial submissions in this instance are sufficiently equivocal to justify the district judge in concluding that Dr. Collins’ testimony had not been circumscribed in the manner argued by Dr. Ouk-rop in either the pre-trial submissions of Dennis or in the pre-trial order. In substance, the trial court ruled that Dr. Ouk-rop was on notice of such potential testimony. Ample opportunity was available prior to trial to depose Dr. Collins or to require Dennis, pursuant to discovery rules, to specify the tenor of his testimony. Simonsen v. Barlow Plastics Company, Inc., 551 F.2d 469 (1 Cir.1977). Under the circumstances, we are not persuaded that the district court committed an abuse of discretion in receiving Dr. Collins’ testimony in evidence, despite Dr. Oukrop’s claim of surprise.

We turn then to the relevance vel non of Dr. Collins’ testimony. Dr. Collins testified as an expert witness, and, essentially, his testimony is covered by Rules 702 and 703, W.R.E. These rules provide:

“Rule 702. Testimony by experts.

“If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise.

“Rule 703. Bases of opinion testimony by experts.

“The facts or data in the particular case upon which an expert bases an opinion or inference may be those perceived by or made known to him at or before the hearing. If of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the particular field in forming opinions or inferences upon the subject, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence.”

In this instance, we also must consider Dr. Collins’ testimony in the light of Rules 401 and 402, W.R.E. These rules provide:

“Rule 401. Definition of ‘relevant evidence’.

“ ‘Relevant evidence’ means evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.

“Rule 402. Relevant evidence generally admissible; irrelevant evidence inadmissible.

“All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by statute, by these rules, or by other rules prescribed by the Supreme Court. Evidence which is not relevant is not admissible.”

In applying these rules, we must recognize that rulings with respect to the admission of evidence are within the sound discretion of the trial court, and those rulings are entitled to considerable deference. E.g., Arnold v. Mountain West Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, Wyo., 707 P.2d 161 (1985); Banks v. Crowner, Wyo., 694 P.2d 101 (1985); Caterpillar Tractor Company v. Donahue, Wyo., 674 P.2d 1276 (1983); City of Evanston v. Whirl Inn, Inc., Wyo., 647 P.2d 1378 (1982); Coronado Oil Company v. Grieves, Wyo., 642 P.2d 423 (1982).

In this case, the trial court determined to submit to the jury the issue of whether the overdose of atropine had any long-term deleterious effect upon Dennis. There is no serious question that Dr. Collins was not qualified as an expert in pharmacology-toxicology by his knowledge, skill, experience, training and education, and his scientific and specialized knowledge obviously was of assistance to the jury in determining the issue of the long-term effect of the overdose of atropine. The facts or data that he relied upon in forming his opinion come within the scope of Rule 703, W.R.E.

Dr. Oukrop objected because Dr. Collins’ testimony concededly related to animal testing and did not have any specific relation to Dennis. It is clear that Dr. Collins had not examined in any way or even been acquainted with Dennis prior to trial. His testimony did, however, have a “tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action [the long-range effect of atropine on Dennis] more probable * * * than it would be without the evidence.” Rule 401, W.R.E. The extent of his knowledge and the basis of his opinion clearly were subject to scrutiny by cross-examination; and it was left to the trier of fact to determine his credibility, evaluate his testimony and decide what weight it should be given. Reed v. Hunter, Wyo., 663 P.2d 513 (1983). Our evaluation of the record persuades us that the trial court carefully considered the admissibility of Dr. Collins' testimony on this critical issue and in the exercise of its discretion admitted the testimony into evidence. We can perceive no abuse of discretion by the trial judge in receiving this testimony.

We respond to the appellant’s first two issues in the negative. Since we conclude that no error occurred in admitting the testimony of Dr. Collins, there is no need to consider whether any error was or was not prejudicial.

The judgment of the district court is affirmed.