Opinion ID: 1282545
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Physical Condition of Shaw.

Text: Todt alleges that the trial court committed error in admitting evidence of Shaw and her husband as to the physical disability of Shaw, her inability to work, and her lost wages. Shaw testified that she had been working 44 hours per week as a waitress at a fast-food restaurant for approximately one year prior to the accident and at the time of trial had not returned to her job because her back and neck is still giving [her] trouble; that any strenous activity caused my back and stuff to start aching, feel like something hit me in the back and my neck start hurting, just can't do anything like I used to anymore; that prior to the accident her health had been good, she had done normal household chores and had taken care of her two-year-old daughter; and that she had grossed $101.20 per week in wages. Todt contends that the inability of Shaw to perform her ordinary labors as a housewife, mother, and waitress could only be established by expert medical testimony. Following a consistent line of Virginia cases, we recently rejected the same argument in Peterson v. Neme, 222 Va. ___, ___, 281 S.E.2d 869, 872 (1981), where we said: As phrased by Peterson, the question presented by this assignment of error is: Is the plaintiff's opinion that she was unable to work at her employment as a direct result of injuries sustained in an auto accident admissible without the testimony of a physician or other medical expert? It is implicit in our holding in Sumner v. Smith, 220 Va. 222, 257 S.E.2d 825 (1979), that lay testimony of causal connection between an automobile accident and injury is admissible for whatever weight the fact finder may choose to give it, even when medical testimony fails to establish causal connection expressly. To the same effect are Phillips v. Stewart, 207 Va. 214, 220, 148 S.E.2d 784, 789 (1966); Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. v. McCullers, 189 Va. 89, 97-98, 52 S.E.2d 257, 260-61 (1949); Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Co. v. Hoffman, 109 Va. 44, 64-65, 63 S.E. 432, 439 (1909); and Blue Ridge Light Co. v. Price, 108 Va. 652, 656, 62 S.E. 938, 940 (1908). The ruling of the trial court in this case was clearly in conformity with the foregoing precedents.