Case Name: Patrick TOBIN and Patricia Tobin, Appellants, v. Kenneth W. LELAND, Sandra L. Stiller, and USAA Casualty Insurance Company, Appellees
Court: Florida District Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Florida
Decision Date: 2001-10-03
Citations: 804 So. 2d 390
Docket Number: No. 4D00-1534
Parties: Patrick TOBIN and Patricia Tobin, Appellants, v. Kenneth W. LELAND, Sandra L. Stiller, and USAA Casualty Insurance Company, Appellees.
Judges: SHAHOOD, J., concurs specially with opinion.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 804
Pages: 390–400

Head Matter:
Patrick TOBIN and Patricia Tobin, Appellants, v. Kenneth W. LELAND, Sandra L. Stiller, and USAA Casualty Insurance Company, Appellees.
No. 4D00-1534.
District Court of Appeal of Florida, Fourth District.
Oct. 3, 2001.
Philip M. Burlington of Caruso, Burlington, Bohn & Compiani, P.A., West Palm Beach, and Kelsay D. Patterson of Michael M. Tobin, P.A., Coral Gables, for appellants.
Carri S. Leininger of Williams & Lein-inger, P.A., West Palm Beach, for appel-lees-Kenneth W. Leland and Sandra L. Stiller.
Douglas D. Rozelle, Jr. of Rozelle and Call, West Palm Beach, for appellee-USAA Casualty Insurance Company.

Opinion:
WARNER, J.
This appeal arises from a final judgment entered subsequent to a jury verdict finding that appellant suffered no permanent injury in an automobile accident. Appellant challenges solely the trial court's refusal to permit cross-examination of the defense doctor on statements from a book written by the doctor twenty years ago that were highly critical of the legal system in personal injury cases. Because the trial court did not abuse its discretion in controlling the scope and subjects of inquiry during cross-examination, we affirm.
Appellant suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung in an automobile accident in 1994. He was treated for about six months in 1994 and obtained no further treatment until December, 1997, when he was seen by a neurologist who diagnosed herniated discs. In his case-in-chief, appellant made no claim for lost income because he continued his occupation as a fishing boat captain/mate. His claim was for past and future medical expenses and pain and suffering.
One of appellees' expert witnesses at trial was Dr. John Sullivan, who had performed an independent medical examination of appellant. Twenty years ago, Dr. Sullivan wrote a book titled Lexisaurus Rex, in which he reviled personal injury suits, judges, juries, and lawyers in general. Most of the book concerns medical malpractice and the doctor's strong opinions about it. One chapter dealt specifically with advice to the physician witness. Appellees moved in limine to preclude appellant from using the book to cross-examine Dr. Sullivan. After extensive argument and the court's review of the deposition testimony of Dr. Sullivan, in which he disavowed some of the views expressed in the book, the court ruled that appellant would be precluded from using the book in voir dire or in argument. When the doctor testified, appellant could proffer the questions he desired to ask, and the court would rule on a question by question basis.
Dr. Sullivan testified at trial that he does not have a medical practice anymore but earns his living performing independent medical evaluations, ninety-five percent (95%) of which are for defendants and insurance companies. The doctor examined appellant, putting him through a routine orthopedic examination, and found no restrictions of motion. Based upon his examination, the doctor opined that appellant had not suffered a permanent injury as a result of the accident. He reviewed appellant's MRI scans and testified, contrary to appellant's treating physician, that they did not show any herniation of the discs in appellant's back caused by the accident. However, he conceded that there could be bulges caused by normal wear and tear of living. His testimony was consistent with that of the radiologist who testified that the MRI showed older disc degeneration but nothing which would have occurred as a result of the accident.
Appellant's counsel cross-examined Dr. Sullivan extensively about his current practice, which consists solely of providing defense medical examinations. Since he terminated his active practice in 1993, he could remember providing an examination for a plaintiff on one occasion.
After the initial cross-examination, appellant proffered questions and testimony concerning Dr. Sullivan's views expressed in his book. Because the court determined that it would not permit testimony with regard to Sullivan's general opinions about the legal system, the questions were limited to the chapter on physicians testifying as a witness in court. 'While much of this chapter focused on the doctor as an independent medical examiner of a party, it was not exclusively written for the doctor as a defense witness. The doctor admitted writing that honest physicians cannot live up to their oath to tell the whole truth in court. He explained that in a legal adversarial context physicians cannot discuss shades of gray inherent in their opinions. Appellees' counsel noted that the statement alone was taken out of context. Counsel pointed out that the book referred to the collateral source rule as an example, in which the jury does not hear evidence of benefits the plaintiff may have received. In the same sense, the doctor may not be able to tell the jury everything that he could because of the rules of evidence. Dr. Sullivan agreed with that interpretation.
Dr. Sullivan also agreed with his book's statement that almost any test can be dismissed or given lesser value. He admitted writing that physicians should avoid yes or no answers, stating that they should be allowed to explain their answers. The court earlier pointed out that this was generally good advice, probably written a thousand times. Dr. Sullivan further admitted writing that a doctor should state his finding openly on direct and defend them with his life on cross-examination. He should be fair, reasonable, and honest but never concede an important point. Dr. Sullivan conceded that those statements were made in the book, adding, "[b]ut if the doctor doesn't believe why he's in court and what he's testifying about, he shouldn't be in court." In the book, he also advised that "[without being evasive or lying, you have to devise a means of giving an answer which will not serve the interest of the person cross-examining you."
Appellant's counsel stated that the purpose of such testimony was to demonstrate the witness's bias against plaintiffs and attempt to subvert/manipulate the truth. Noting the various statements in the book that specifically stated that the physician should not lie and should give an honest opinion, the court expressed concern that if it allowed portions of the book into evidence, then testimony about the entire book would necessarily follow. As a result, the trial would focus on Dr. Sullivan, and would get the trial "all out of perspective." Moreover, because the book was written approximately twenty years ago, the court would have to permit additional questions on how the doctor's views have changed with time.
Having listened to the doctor's explanations and the rest of the doctor's cross-examination, the court determined that the proffered testimony would not be of any benefit to the jury. The court thus sustained appellees' objection to the proffered cross-examination. However, the court did permit appellant to question Dr. Sullivan about whether he can discredit an MRI, knowing the deficiencies of that type of procedure, as the interpretation of the MRI was a significant issue in appellant's case. Nevertheless, while appellant's counsel asked many questions about the MRI, he did not ask Dr. Sullivan about discrediting the test.
A copy of the chapter of Dr. Sullivan's book is in the record on appeal, and the trial judge indicated that he had read it. The chapter consists of Dr. Sullivan's advice on being a witness, whether for the plaintiff or the defendant. He stated in the book that much of the advice is given based upon his own experiences and from reading books on the art of cross-examination. This chapter concerns a physician testifying generally and is not limited to testifying against plaintiffs. Some examples given involve the physician testifying for his own patient. The book itself is not part of the record.
The jury returned a verdict awarding appellant his past medical expenses of $19,766.38 and future medical expenses of $10,000. However, the jury did not find a permanent injury.
Section 90.403, Florida Statutes (2000), provides:
Relevant evidence is inadmissible if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of issues, misleading the jury, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.
Evidence of bias is subject to balancing under the provisions of section 90.403, and a trial court's determination of how far an inquiry into bias may proceed is within the trial court's discretion. See Coolen v. State, 696 So.2d 738, 743 (Fla.1997); Pandula v. Fonseca, 145 Fla. 395, 199 So. 358, 360 (1941); Langston v. King, 410 So.2d 179, 180 (Fla. 4th DCA 1982).
Although attorneys should be given wide latitude when cross-examining witnesses to demonstrate bias or prejudice, see Purcell v. State, 735 So.2d 579, 581 (Fla. 4th DCA 1999), that latitude is not without its limits. "Where a trial court has weighed probative value against prejudicial impact . an appellate court will not overturn that decision absent a clear abuse of discretion." Sims v. Brown, 574 So.2d 181, 133 (Fla.1991) (quoting Trees v. K-Mart Corp., 467 So.2d 401, 403 (Fla. 4th DCA 1985)); accord § 90.403, Fla. Stat. (2000). In Sims, the court added that "[t]he weighing of relevance versus prejudice or confusion is best performed by the trial judge who is present and best able to compare the two." 574 So.2d at 133; accord Carter v. Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., 778 So.2d 932, 944 (Fla.2000)(quoting Sims), cert. denied, — U.S. -, 121 S.Ct. 2593, 150 L.Ed.2d 751 (2001).
In the instant case, the trial court reviewed the 20 year old statement of Dr. Sullivan regarding his general views on litigation, particularly medical malpractice, and doctors, lawyers, judges, and juries. While the dissent cites to Bryan v. State, 41 Fla. 643, 26 So. 1022 (1899), for the proposition that the trial court is afforded no discretion to exclude questioning going to the motives, animus, or the status of witnesses to a suit, the supreme court explained in Pandula that it did not actually consider the extent to which cross-examination would be permitted to show bias in Bryan. The Pandula court left the consideration of evidence of bias to the trial court's discretion, which will not be disturbed absent a "clear abuse of the discretion." 199 So. at 360. The trial court is granted this broad discretion because "no definite rule can be laid down as to what circumstances may be inquired about to show a witness' bias." Id.
Courts have identified certain areas of bias where a cross-examiner should be permitted to inquire, which include "circumstances [that] have some clearly apparent force, as tested by experience of human nature." IIIA John H. Wigmore, Evidence § 949 (Chadbourn rev.1970). They include intimate familial (or illicit) relationships, involvement in the instant litigation or other pending litigation involving the parties, past or present employment relationship, pending criminal charges against the witness, the witness's occupation (bias being one of many reasons why it is admissible), and racial or other group-based bias. See id. See, e.g., Stanley v. State, 648 So.2d 1268, 1269 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995)(reversed trial court's refusal to permit cross-examination of witness concerning homosexual relationship with the victim because it may have shown witness's bias); Smith v. State, 404 So.2d 167, 169 (Fla. 1st DCA 1981)(evidence of witness's generalized racial bias admissible to impeach because not unfairly prejudicial, confusing, misleading, or cumulative). However, some Florida courts have even limited cross-examination concerning bias in these traditionally permitted areas. See, e.g., Adams v. State, 783 So.2d 1226, 1227 (Fla. 5th DCA 2001)(in father's child abuse prosecution, the court affirmed limitation of cross-examination of mother concerning pending dependency proceedings against her).
In fact, when the inquiries into the conduct and acts that produce the alleged bias raise collateral issues, such evidence is generally excluded. See Pandula, 199 So. at 360; Wallace v. State, 41 Fla. 547, 26 So. 713, 722 (1899); Hernandez v. State, 360 So.2d 39, 41 (Fla. 3d DCA 1978). While the few recurring instances of bias can be discerned from the case law, "[b]e-yond these common varieties of circumstances, no generalization can be attempted. New circumstances will constantly be presented, as suggestive of personal prejudice; and the decision [whether to admit it] should be left entirely in the hands of the trial judge." Wigmore, supra, § 949 (footnote omitted).
Applying the foregoing principles, the evidence of bias in this case did not include any of the recognized areas of bias requiring inquiry. The trial court thus had broad discretion when addressing the proffered cross-examination of Dr. Sullivan. It exercised this broad discretion and limited appellant's cross-examination of Dr. Sullivan after reviewing the book and watching Dr. Sullivan's video deposition. Dr. Sullivan's comments concerned the general legal system and not this particular plaintiff or this particular case. The court therefore concluded that Dr. Sullivan's generalized bias against the legal system would not be significantly probative of the doctor's credibility in light of the potential to confuse or mislead the jury and occupy most of the trial time. In fact, appellant's counsel did not proffer cross-examination statements from the book regarding the doctor's general opinions regarding the legal system, lawyers, and judges. The questions proffered dealt with his advice on how the physician-witness should approach cross-examination. Further, the trial court did not preclude appellant from cross-examining Dr. Sullivan with regard to his views on discrediting the MRI, a test that was involved in the case.
An analogous case is Outley v. City of New York, 837 F.2d 587 (2d Cir.1988), where the defendant city introduced evidence of prior lawsuits against the police brought by the plaintiff to show his litigiousness and bias toward white police officers. The court ultimately determined that proof of the prior lawsuits might be probative of a bias, but it is not conclusive on the issue.
In order for a jury properly to consider them, the particular details of each action, and the extent to which the bringing of each action was justified, must be before the jury. Opening up this area thus invites detailed inquiries, denials, and explanations, likely to lead to multifariousness and a confusion of issues. As such, at least in this case, it is an area of examination better left closed.
Id. at 595 (citation omitted). The court reversed for this and other reasons, finding that the district court abused its discretion by admitting the evidence of bias, despite the broad discretion afforded to trial courts to rule on such issues.
In this case, the trial court reviewed the various statements and concluded that the use of only portions of the book, written twenty years ago, would have to be rebutted to place the doctor's views in context. He would also have to explain those views that he now disavowed. Like the prior litigation in Outley, this would involve "detailed inquiries, denials, and explanations" all of which could lead to a confusion of issues. Id. at 595. Recognizing that there was a substantial danger that the entire focus of the trial would shift to Dr. Sullivan, rather than appellant's injuries, the court excluded most of the proffered cross-examination, concluding that the proffered questions would not really benefit the jury. The court permitted appellant to cross-examine the doctor on his views of discrediting scientific tests, a subject addressed in the book and specifically relevant to the issues in this case. However, appellant never raised the issue during the doctor's cross-examination regarding the plaintiffs MRI tests.
Additionally, appellant used other avenues to discredit Dr. Sullivan, including the fact that he performs independent medical examinations exclusively for de fendants and insurance companies, that those examinations are his sole source of income, that he solicits insurance companies for business, and that he was paid by the defense for this examination and opinion.
After application of the law to the facts of this case, we cannot say that appellant has shown a clear abuse of discretion. See Pandilla, 199 So. at 360. We therefore affirm.
SHAHOOD, J., concurs specially with opinion.
FARMER, J., dissents with opinion.
. Any reference to "appellant" will mean Patrick Tobin for the purposes of this opinion, but we recognize that there is more than one appellant on appeal.
. Specifically, appellant brought out statements regarding Sullivan's general dislike of attorneys; his disregard for the quality of jury pools in the 1970's; and his discovery in middle age that his natural father was actually a plaintiff's lawyer for a time.
. "Section 90.612(l)(b) recognizes the trial judge's responsibility to reasonably control the interrogation of witnesses and the presentation of evidence so as to 'avoid needless consumption of time.' Evidence which has minimal probative value can be excluded under section 90.612(l)(b) when it is a waste of time, even though the court cannot exclude it on that basis under section 90.403." Charles W. Ehrhardt, Florida Evidence § 403.1 (2001 ed.).