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Nature of Suit Code: 442
Nature of Suit: Civil Rights Employment
Cause of Action: 

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United States Court of Appeals

FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT

___________

No. 04-1263

___________

Branimir Catipovic, * 

* 

Plaintiff - Appellant, * 

* 

v. * Appeal from the United States

* District Court for the Northern

Peoples Community Health Clinic, * District of Iowa.

Inc.; Ronald W. Kemp; Sharon Duclos, * 

* 

Defendants, * 

* 

Iowa Beef Processors, Inc., * 

* 

Defendant - Appellee, * 

* 

Rex Hofer; Thomas O'Rourke; Ann * 

Rogers; Black Hawk County Health * 

Department, * 

* 

Defendants. *

___________

Submitted: October 21, 2004

Filed: March 30, 2005

___________

Before MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, JOHN R. GIBSON, and SMITH, Circuit

Judges.

___________

SMITH, Circuit Judge.

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1

The Honorable Linda R. Reade, United States District Judge for the Northern

District of Iowa.

2

IBP, a meat packing plant, is Waterloo's second largest employer.

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Dr. Branimir Catipovic appeals from an order entered in the district court1

granting Iowa Beef Processors, Inc. (IBP), judgment as a matter of law in his tortious

interference with contract action against it. For reversal, Catipovic argues that the

district court erred in granting judgment as a matter of law. We disagree and affirm.

I. Background

 In October 1997, Dr. Catipovic, a Croatian national, began working as a

physician for the Peoples Community Health Clinic (the Clinic) in Waterloo, Iowa.

Catipovic alleges that IBP2

, one of the Clinic's largest customers, purposely caused

his termination through its coercive influence upon the Clinic's management.

Catipovic contends that IBP disliked his medical treatment of injured workers.

Upon his hiring, Catipovic signed a contract with the Clinic called the

Physician Employment Agreement (the Agreement). The Agreement authorized the

Clinic to terminate Catipovic involuntarily for specified causes and also included a

provision for voluntary termination by either party with 120 days notice. By written

addendum, if Catipovic selected early termination he was required to pay $250,000

in liquidated damages plus attorney fees. The Clinic also had an employee handbook

that defined voluntary and involuntary separation as well as at-will termination. The

employment contract further required an annual evaluation of Catipovic.

Director Ron Kemp managed the business affairs of the Clinic, which served

the low-income population in the Waterloo area. Kemp, who was not a physician,

could not supervise physicians. That responsibility went to co-medical directors, Dr.

Sharon Duclos and Dr. Kimberly Neumann, who reported administrative issues to

Kemp. Duclos directly supervised Catipovic. Duclos claimed she evaluated

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3

Out of approximately 2000 workers, 700 to 800 were Bosnians. IBP readily

recruited these workers because of their stability and work ethic. Because of his

familiarity with their language and culture, Catipovic communicated well with these

patients and served as the primary care physician for many.

4

Labor is IBP's largest controllable cost. It uses a safety measurement score

point system to track workers' compensation injuries. Each plant is assigned a point

goal by corporate headquarters. Points are incurred when an employee visits a

physician for a work-related injury. 

5

IBP management held regular meetings to discuss the plant score and how to

keep it low. IBP is self-insured for workers' compensation and for medical insurance,

which does not cover work-related conditions. Injured workers were placed on light

duty when possible because they were fully compensated. Workers totally unable to

work received two-thirds salary compensation. 

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Catipovic, but she found no records verifying this review. Catipovic did not recall any

performance review, although he admitted Duclos did discuss his performance once

during his first year.

During the two years of his employment, Catipovic and the Clinic management

clashed regarding standards employed when ordering medical work-releases for IBP

employees.3

 While at the Clinic, Catipovic wrote hundreds of work-releases for IBP

employees. Some listed specific work restrictions, while others only stated "can't

work." Work-releases are a significant cost concern for IBP.4

 In late fall 1997 or early

1998, Lori Seals, the IBP medical case manager, brought the number of releases

written by Catipovic to the attention of IBP human resources manager, Rex Hofer.

Hofer, in turn, discussed the matter with senior plant management.5

Based upon these discussions, Hofer requested a meeting with the Clinic to

discuss the work-release issue. This meeting was held on February 23, 1998 and

included Seals, Hofer, Catipovic, Duclos, and Kemp. At the meeting, workers'

compensation procedures and IBP's policies were discussed. IBP requested that the

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work-releases be more specific to determine whether they were job related. Seals

recollected that the meeting went well.

Also early in 1998, Catipovic discussed an IBP patient situation with Joan

Hoeft, director of special projects at the Clinic. Catipovic expressed concern that a

patient he had placed on work limitations was returned to work at a light duty level

in an undesirable plant position. Catipovic believed IBP used the assignment as a

punitive measure. Hoeft offered to call IBP because she thought Catipovic would be

too offensive if permitted to contact IBP directly. Hoeft called Hofer at IBP who in

turn called Kemp. 

Kemp and Hofer discussed the impact of the work-releases on IBP employees.

Catipovic was told that the union representative reported IBP employee concerns

about salary loss due to medical work-releases. For the Clinic, Duclos again told

Catipovic to be as specific as possible and write work limitations in preference to

complete work-releases. 

About eight months later, in October 1998, Hofer again contacted Kemp about

two of Catipovic's work-releases that stated simply "can't work." Kemp noted Hofer

wanted employees with possible work injuries to be sent back to IBP for a second

evaluation. Neumann was also aware of IBP's concern with Catipovic's work-releases.

Hofer denied any further contact with Kemp or the Clinic to discuss work-releases,

but testified that IBP's nursing staff called the Clinic personnel to discuss day-to-day

situations. Catipovic also produced evidence that on May 18, 1998, Schmitz, IBP

plant manager, endorsed Kemp's request that IBP Foundation contribute to the Clinic.

IBP agreed to give $10,000 per year for 10 years. The first installment was made in

July 1998. Catipovic was terminated in September 1999.

 According to the Clinic, it terminated Catipovic because of problems with his

treatment of tuberculosis (TB) patients and because of patient complaints due to his

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rudeness, demeanor, and foul language. In November 1997, Black Hawk County

Health Department director Tom O'Rourke told Kemp he did not believe Catipovic

was following Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for the prophylactic

treatment of persons testing positive for TB. Ten of Catipovic's Bosnian patients were

reviewed and his prophylactic treatment for eight of them was deemed insufficient.

The County Health Department also expressed concern about Catipovic's failure to

return documentation.

In September 1999, the issue resurfaced. The County Health Department

formally requested that the Clinic not permit Catipovic to see any more patients with

TB related problems unless the chart was co-signed by the Clinic's medical director,

that there be a complete chart review of all TB patients referred to Catipovic, and

Catipovic be referred to the appropriate licensing and oversight board(s) for their

review. O'Rourke felt it necessary to bring the Clinic practice into conformity with

CDC standards. O'Rourke also contemplated making formal complaints to the State

Health Department, Board of Examiners, and relevant federal entities.

On September 21, 1999, the Clinic's board of directors' executive and personnel

committees approved a recommendation to terminate Catipovic's employment. On

September 27, 1999, pursuant to the voluntary termination provisions, Catipovic's

contract was terminated under Article IX, effective January 25, 2000. Catipovic

questioned the termination, but the Clinic refused to specify a reason. Catipovic filed

a complaint with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. The Clinic responded,

identifying two problem areas–Catipovic's treatment of TB patients, and interpersonal

relationships with patients, staff, and community organizations. The Clinic further

indicated there had been complaints from patients regarding Catipovic's perceived

rude, inconsiderate, unconcerned, and hostile response to patients. The Clinic made

no mention of IBP. 

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IBP wrongly argues that in Dace v. ACF Industries, Inc., 722 F.2d 374, 376

n.4 (8th Cir. 1983), we indicated in cases involving diversity jurisdiction, the state

law standard for directed verdict, permitting use of unfavorable evidence, is

employed. But that is not what we held. In note 4 we stated:

We are aware of two cases in which this Court endorsed a standard for

directed verdicts that allowed consideration of unfavorable evidence.

State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Borg, 396 F.2d 740, 742 (8th Cir.

1968); Hanson v. Ford Motor Co., 278 F.2d [586, 590 (8th Cir. 1960)].

However, both cases involved diversity jurisdiction, and the Court

applied the Minnesota standard for directed verdicts, not the federal

standard. 

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Catipovic sued IBP for tortious interference with contract. At trial, the district

court denied IBP's motion for summary judgment, but at the close of Catipovic's case

IBP's motion for judgment as a matter of law was granted. Catipovic appeals from

this judgment. 

II. Discussion

We review the district court's judgment de novo. Bergstrom-EK v. Best Oil Co.,

153 F.3d 851, 857 (8th Cir. 1998). Whether judgment as a matter of law is

appropriate "is judged by viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the

nonmoving party and giving him or her the benefit of all reasonable inferences from

the evidence, but without assessing credibility." Harvey v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 33

F.3d 969, 970 (8th Cir. 1994). On appeal, we must: "(1) consider the evidence in the

light most favorable to [Catipovic]; (2) assume that all conflicts were resolved in

favor of [Catipovic]; (3) assume as proved all facts that [Catipovic's] evidence tended

to prove; (4) give [Catipovic] the benefit of all favorable inferences that may

reasonably be drawn from the proved facts, and [reverse and remand to the district

court] unless all the evidence points one way and is susceptible of no reasonable

inferences sustaining [Catipovic's] position." Denesha v. Farmers Ins. Exchange, 161

F.3d 491, 497 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 526 U.S. 1115 (1999).6

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Catipovic's originally filed a complaint in the United States District Court

alleging breach of several federal statutes. The district court entertained Catipovic's

tortious interference claim against IBP, essentially a state action, under 28 U.S.C. §

1367 (supplemental jurisdiction), applying Iowa substantive law. 

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A. Judgment As a Matter of Law 

Under Iowa law,7

 a claim for tortious interference with contract includes five

elements. Applied to this case, Catipovic could prevail on his claim if the evidence

showed: (1) he had a contract with the Clinic; (2) IBP knew of the contract; (3) IBP

intentionally and improperly interfered with the contract; (4) IBP's interference

caused either the Clinic or Catipovic not to perform the contract; and (5) he incurred

damage. See Gibson v. ITT Hartford Ins. Co., 621 N.W.2d 388, 399 (Iowa 2001);

Revere Transducers, Inc. v. Deere & Co., 595 N.W.2d 751, 763 (Iowa 1999); Nesler

v. Fisher and Co. Inc., 452 N.W.2d 191, 198 (Iowa 1990); Iowa Civil Jury

Instructions 1200.1 (2002). The absence of any single element ends the inquiry.

In granting IBP's motion for judgment as a matter of law, the district court

found Catipovic had been fully heard and that "there is no legally sufficient

evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find for [Catipovic]." The court specifically

found his proof failed to establish element three–intentional interference, but also

noted it found his evidence suspect as to elements two and four as well. In its brief,

IBP correctly notes that we may affirm the district court on any grounds supported in

the record. Ozark Heartland Elecs., Inc. v. Radio Shack, 278 F.3d 759, 763 (8th Cir.

2002). IBP urges us to hold that Catipovic failed to establish elements two and four.

Upon review, we find merit in IBP's argument and affirm the district court based upon

insufficiency of proof as to element four–causation. 

Granting Catipovic all reasonable inferences, as we must do, we will assume

his evidence was sufficient to enable a reasonable jury to find in his favor as to

elements one, two, and three. However, his proof as to causation is so lacking that a

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The Clinic's donation request was for $50,000.00 per year for ten years. In a

letter Schmitz indicated this request was "substantial" and was "out of the range of

normal contributions pledged by I.B.P." but recommended that "I.B.P.'s involvement

be of the highest level that the foundation committee finds acceptable." The IBP

Foundation granted $10,000.00 a year for ten years. 

-8-

jury's inference that IBP's conduct caused Catipovic's termination would not be

reasonable and would be no more than speculation. 

Proximate cause is normally a question for the jury. Spaur v. Owens-Corning

Fiberglas Corp., 510 N.W.2d 854, 858 (Iowa 1994). "A directed verdict may only be

granted on the issue of proximate cause where the facts are clear and undisputed and

relation to cause and effect so apparent to every candid mind that but one conclusion

may be fairly drawn therefrom." Oak Leaf Country Club Inc. v. Wilson, 257 N.W.2d

739, 746 (Iowa 1977). The question is whether IBP's conduct was a substantial factor

in causing Catipovic's termination, and whether Catipovic would have been

terminated without IBP's actions. Iowa Civil Jury Instructions 700.3 (1996) (conduct

of a party is a proximate cause of the damage when it is a substantial factor in

producing damage and when the damage would not have happened except for the

conduct). While a jury could have reasonably concluded IBP's actions were a

substantial factor in Catipovic's termination, it would have been unreasonable for a

jury to conclude that the Clinic would have retained Catipovic except for IBP's

conduct. 

The record reflects contact between IBP and the Clinic regarding Catipovic's

medical work-releases in February 1998 and again in October 1998. The contacts

were limited and did not establish an effort on IBP's part to entice or coerce the Clinic

to terminate Catipovic. The evidence does not show any additional contact between

IBP's management and the Clinic before his termination nearly a year later.

Catipovic's only proof of a possible inducement was IBP's May 1998 pledge to donate

funds to the clinic over the course of ten years.8

 However, the amount constituted

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Catipovic makes two additional evidentiary arguments–(1)the court erred in

limiting each party to fifteen hours and (2) the court erred when it limited the use of

Catipovic's testimony of Kemp's out-of-court statements. As Catipovic failed to

object at the district court level, we review for plain error, United States v. Kirkie, 261

F.3d 761, 770 (8th Cir. 2001) (without objection the court reviews for plain error and

reverses only if the error prejudices substantial rights of the party and would result

in a miscarriage of justice). We find no plain error in the district court's evidentiary

rulings. 

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only a fraction of the Clinic's annual 5 to 6 million dollar budget. The evidence does

not show any link between the pledge and the termination of Catipovic's contract. 

The record is clear however, that beginning in 1997, and just prior to

Catipovic's termination, the Clinic, not IBP, had serious concerns regarding the

performance of his contract. Catipovic's termination occurred within days of the

issuance of a letter from the County Health Department sharply criticizing Catipovic's

treatment of TB patients. The letter requested seven specific actions by the Clinic,

including two directly addressing Catipovic's inadequate care of patients. Within days

of this communication, the Clinic board met and decided to terminate Catipovic's

contract. These facts indicate that Catipovic's employer had longstanding concerns

with his services quite apart from his writing work-releases for IBP employees.

Further, in response to the complaint filed with the Iowa Civil Rights Commission,

the Clinic never mentioned IBP as part of the reason for Catipovic's discharge. A

reasonable jury would not have been able to conclude that but for IBP's actions

Catipovic would have been retained as an employee.

While the better practice is to permit the jury to decide the case before ruling

on the motion for judgment as a matter of law, in the instant case, we cannot say the

district court committed reversible error. For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the

district court's grant of judgment as a matter of law.9

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JOHN R. GIBSON, Circuit Judge, concurring specially.

I concur fully in the opinion of the court today. However, I have two concerns

with the conduct of the trial that cause me to expand upon the court’s discussion.

By pre-trial order, the district court limited the trial time to thirty hours,

dividing the time equally between plaintiff and defendant. Each party's fifteen hours

included jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross examination of

witnesses, hearings outside the presence of the jury on objections and other matters,

and closing arguments. The court told counsel, "[W]hen you're on your feet, the

clock is running." The stop-watch was kept by the judge's law clerk. Catipovic

argues that the court erred in so limiting his case. As the court today correctly

concludes, Catipovic failed to preserve this objection; when the district court asked

him, after his last witness, whether he had more evidence, counsel replied, "There is

none, Your Honor." 

Under these circumstances, I agree that there is no reversible error, but

nevertheless, I think it is well to recall the language in Johnson v. Ashby, 808 F.2d

676, 678 (8th Cir. 1987), penned by the late Judge Richard Sheppard Arnold:

Trial courts have discretion to place reasonable limits on the

presentation of evidence to prevent undue delay, waste of time, or

needless presentation of cumulative evidence. See Fed. R. Evid. 403,

611; MCI Communications Corp. v. American Tel. & Tel. Co., 708 F.2d

1081, 1171 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 891, 104 S. Ct. 234, 78 L.

Ed.2d 226 (1983); United States v. Article of Drug Consisting of 572

Boxes, More or Less, 415 F.2d 390, 392 (5th Cir. 1969). “[I]n this era

of crowded district court dockets federal district court judges not only

may but must exercise strict control over the length of trials.” Flaminio

v. Honda Motor Co., Ltd., 733 F.2d 463, 473 (7th Cir. 1984).

Nonetheless, it may be an abuse of the trial court’s discretion to exclude

probative, non-cumulative evidence simply because its introduction will

cause delay, and any time limits formulated in advance of trial must be

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fashioned with this in mind. Such limits should be “sufficiently flexible

to accommodate adjustment if it appears during trial that the court’s

 initial assessment was too restrictive.” MCI, 708 F.2d at 1171 

 (footnote omitted).

Accordingly, we join the Seventh Circuit in disapproving rigid

hour limits such as those initially suggested here. See Flaminio, 733

F.2d at 473 (disapproving a rigid hour limitation involving a timekeeping method “almost as complicated as in a professional football

game.”) We further think that limits like those ultimately adopted by the

District Court, if too strictly adhered to, would also be improper.

Further, with respect to the district court’s grant of judgment as a matter of law

at the conclusion of plaintiff’s evidence, I think it also well to remember language

also penned by Judge Richard Arnold in Dace v. ACF Industries, Inc., 722 F.2d 374,

379 n.9 (8th Cir. 1983), adhered to on denial of rehearing, 728 F.2d 976 (8th Cir.

1984):

This case illustrates again that it is usually better practice for a

district court, faced with a motion for directed verdict, to allow the case

to go to the jury, and address the issue by way of judgment n.o.v. if

necessary. The jury may find for the moving party, in which case the

issue disappears. If the verdict is against the moving party, and if

judgment n.o.v. is granted, and if this Court decides on appeal that it

should have been denied, the verdict can simply be reinstated, and no

new trial is necessary.

______________________________

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