Opinion ID: 1984531
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Fear of Cancer Evidence

Text: Celotex's final contention in this appeal is that the Superior Court abused its discretion by permitting the plaintiffs with asbestos-related diseases to introduce extensive evidence at trial in support of their claims of mental anguish caused by the fear of developing cancer. [19] Celotex maintains that what it characterizes as excessive testimony about the dread specter of cancer overshadowed all of the other evidence, causing undue prejudice to Celotex. Celotex specifically challenges the prejudicial effect of the expert testimony of Dr. Wagoner, who testified about the risks of developing cancer among human populations exposed to asbestos. [20] The record reflects, however, that the Superior Court placed careful limitations on the extent of his testimony, [21] before permitting Dr. Wagoner to testify as an expert witness. See Lee v. A. C. & S. Co., Del.Super., 542 A.2d 352 (1987). Moreover, the Superior Court gave the following limiting instruction to the jury before the presentation of Dr. Wagoner's testimony: Today, or this morning, anyway, the witness will be Dr. Joseph Wagoner, who will be called by the plaintiffs. He will be testifying concerning possible increased risks of cancer for individuals with asbestos-related diseases. His testimony will be admitted in this case only in connection with plaintiffs' claim based on alleged fear of developing cancer. None of the plaintiffs claim that they have cancer. There is no claim that the plaintiffs will develop cancer. If a plaintiffs ever develops cancer, which he contends is caused by asbestos, he can file a new suit with respect to that. The testimony regarding risks of cancer is to be considered by you solely in deciding whether a plaintiff's claimed fear of developing cancer, if any such fear exist, is reasonable. You are to consider his testimony in the light of the instruction that I have just given you. It's a limiting instruction that I've just given to you. The Superior Court gave a similar limiting instruction to the jury again before they retired for deliberations. The record does not support Celotex's contention that the Superior Court allowed evidence about the plaintiffs' fear of the increased risks of contracting cancer to pervade the trial. Instead, the record reflects that the Superior Court properly exercised its discretion in determining the amount and extent of the evidence which the plaintiffs' were permitted to offer, in support of their claims relating to the fear of developing cancer. Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. v. Adams, Del.Supr., 541 A.2d 567, 572 (1988). Accordingly, we have concluded that Celotex's argument to the contrary is without merit.