Opinion ID: 2535932
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Prior trial-court orders

Text: ¶ 26. The Burnwatts argue that the designation of Dr. Mansel as an expert witness directly contradicts the June 2005 order granting summary judgment and dismissal of BMH-NM. Indeed, the trial court found no genuine issue of material fact that placed any blame or apportionment of fault on BMH-NM. In a later order granting partial summary judgment to the Burnwatts on the issue of apportionment of fault to BMH-NM, the trial court found that Dr. Laurenzo and ENT Consultants could not place blame or allocate fault to BMH-NM. The trial court reviewed the testimony of Dr. Laurenzo; Dr. Mansel; Dr. Deborah Burton, the Burnwatts' expert witness; and Dr. Stephen Hayne, the pathologist who conducted the autopsy, in reaching its decision. The order stated: There is no genuine issue of material fact that the dismissed Defendant BMH-NM or its employees were negligent or that their actions proximately caused or contributed to the Plaintiffs' damages and that the Defendants Laurenzo and ENT Consultants should not be permitted to place blame or allocate fault to BMH-NM or its employees. Consequently, the Plaintiffs are entitled to a Partial Summary Judgment as a matter of law. However, the trial court also ordered that this order should not be construed as to prevent the Defendants from presenting their theory of the case. ¶ 27. Indeed, in Eckman v. Moore, 876 So.2d 975 (Miss.2004), this Court held that a defendant is entitled to jury instructions on his or her theory of the case. Eckman, 876 So.2d at 979. In Eckman, the defendant's theory of the case was that the failure of nursing staff to meet the standard of care was a superceding cause of the patient's injuries and death. Id. at 980. The trial court denied Eckman's instruction on this issue notwithstanding evidence presented by both parties of nursing negligence. Id. at 982. This Court found reversible error and reversed and remanded the case for a new trial. Id. at 989-90. ¶ 28. While the trial court relied on Eckman for authority, Mississippi Rule of Evidence 702 generally provides for testimony of an expert. The expert's specialized knowledge is permitted when it will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue. Miss. R. Evid. 702. The expert may provide an opinion provided that (1) the testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data, (2) the testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods, and (3) the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case. Miss. R. Evid. 702. Therefore, Dr. Mansel's testimony, which supports Dr. Laurenzo's theory of the case that Alex died as a result of resuscitation efforts, also may be viewed as simply expert opinion testimony.