Opinion ID: 2639911
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Did the District Court Err in Instructing the Jury Regarding Slack's Life Expectancy Without Allowing Kelleher to Introduce Evidence of Her Poor Health?

Text: Because there was evidence that Slack had suffered permanent injuries in the accident, her life expectancy was relevant to the issue of damages. Prior to beginning jury selection on the first day of trial, counsel for both parties and the district court discussed various evidentiary issues outside the presence of the jury. During that discussion, Slack's counsel stated that Kelleher had not disclosed any witness who would express an opinion that Slack's life expectancy had been shortened as a result of her injuries or medical condition. Kelleher's counsel responded that his medical expert would testify about general health issues with respect to Slack. The district court ruled that Kelleher could not introduce evidence that Slack's medical condition may shorten her life expectancy unless such conclusion was supported by expert opinion testimony. During the afternoon of the fourth day of trial, Kelleher's counsel requested a conference outside the presence of the jury prior to calling his medical expert. The district court agreed that the expert could testify regarding various issues, but the district court did not change its prior ruling regarding evidence of life expectancy. Kelleher ultimately did not call the medical expert as a witness, and he argues on appeal that the district court erred in precluding the expert from testifying about Slack's poor health because it was relevant to her life expectancy. Rule 103(a)(2) of the Idaho Rules of Evidence provides that a party can only assert error on the part of the trial court in excluding evidence where the party made an offer of proof at trial describing the substance of the evidence sought to be admitted. Thorn Springs Ranch, Inc. v. Smith, 137 Idaho 480, 50 P.3d 975 (2002). Kelleher's expert issued a report after conducting a medical examination of Slack. Kelleher's counsel provided a copy of that report to the district judge, but that report has not been included in the record on appeal. Kelleher's counsel also provided the district judge with a copy of his written disclosure made during discovery regarding the expected testimony of the medical expert. That discovery response has likewise not been included as part of the record on appeal. During the discussion regarding the medical expert's expected testimony, Kelleher's counsel did not claim that the expert would testify that in his opinion Slack's medical condition would shorten her life expectancy. To be admissible, evidence must be relevant. Slack was 71 years old. Whether or not her heart attack or other medical conditions would shorten her life expectancy are matters beyond the competence of the average layperson or juror. Therefore, Kelleher was required to produce expert testimony that Slack's medical condition would shorten her life expectancy. An expert opinion that merely suggests possibilities, and not probabilities, would only invite conjecture and may be properly excluded. Bromley v. Garey, 132 Idaho 807, 979 P.2d 1165 (1999). There is nothing in the record indicating that Kelleher's medical expert would testify, to a reasonable degree of medical probability, that in his opinion Slack's life expectancy would be shortened by any of her medical conditions. The district court did not err in excluding the speculative evidence.