Opinion ID: 1717677
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: demonstration of physical therapy

Text: Defendants contend that the court committed prejudicial error by allowing Wanda Thompson to demonstrate the physical therapy that she performs on her daughter. The demonstration consisted primarily of a manipulation of Latonya's limbs. Generally, exhibition of a plaintiff's injury is highly relevant; because the defendant is alleged to have caused injury to the plaintiff, the jury should be able to see the extent of the injuries. Deveney v. Smith, 812 S.W.2d 810, 814 (Mo.App.1991). Exhibitions of injury are not improper unless designed to arouse antipathy for the defendant, sympathy for the plaintiff, or where they are irrelevant to any issue in dispute. Id. The allowance of an exhibition or demonstration of how an injured member functions or fails to function is largely within the discretion of the trial court. Taylor v. Kansas City Southern Railroad Co., 364 Mo. 693, 266 S.W.2d 732, 736 (1954). Defendants correctly note that eliciting cries of pain or pitiful attempts at locomotion are condemned because they seek to dramatize an injury in an attempt to provoke sympathy and antipathy in the jury. Fravel v. Burlington Northern Railroad, 671 S.W.2d 339, 342 (Mo.App. 1984). However, defendants do not allege that Latonya appeared to be in pain or that her movements were pitiful attempts at locomotion. Nor does the record reflect that she grimaced or cried out in pain. We should not entertain an appeal based on inference that such acts occurred. Id. The demonstration of physical therapy illustrated Latonya's limited ability to interact with Wanda in the way in which she was previously able, and therefore, it was relevant on the issue of Wanda's damages for loss of services, society and companionship of her daughter. Additionally, the demonstration was relevant to the claims for medical damages because it tended to prove the need for physical therapy. The trial court was within its discretion to allow the demonstration.