Opinion ID: 299188
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Dr. W. Hammond Newman

Text: 11 The jury rendered a verdict for defendant, Dr. W. Hammond Newman, by finding that Dr. Newman was negligent in his treatment of plaintiff's condition subsequent to the operation, but that such negligence was not a proximate cause of the plaintiff's injuries. 4 12 The sole error claimed on appeal is that the trial judge permitted Dr. Thomas Oelsner to testify, even though he was not listed as a witness in accordance with the pretrial order. 13 The court's pretrial order required witness lists to be filed by July 6. Early on the morning of July 7, Dr. Newman's counsel called plaintiff's counsel and advised that he would file a supplemental list naming Dr. Oelsner, and he filed such list before 11:00 A.M. on that same day. Dr. Oelsner had examined the plaintiff on June 25. His report on his examination was furnished plaintiff's counsel on July 8. Plaintiff claims surprise when Dr. Oelsner was called at the trial of July 16. 14 Rule 16, of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, permitting pretrial procedures, can achieve its purpose of improving the quality of justice only if the pretrial requirements entered at the discretion of the trial court are applied with intelligent flexibility, taking into full consideration the exigencies of each situation. The trial judge must be permitted wide latitude in guiding a case through its preparatory stages. His decision as to the extent that pretrial activity should prevent the introduction of otherwise competent and relevant testimony at trial must not be disturbed unless it is demonstrated that he has clearly abused the broad discretion vested in him by Rule 16. 15 A review of the record fails to reveal any error in permitting Dr. Oelsner to testify in the case against Dr. Newman. 16 Plaintiff's counsel knew that Dr. Oelsner was a potential witness because of the physical examination, he had the doctor's report available 8 days before trial, and he was given the opportunity to depose the doctor before trial testimony. For us to require that this witness be excluded from testifying by rigid application of the pretrial requirements set at the discretion of the trial judge would thwart the obvious intent of the rules to leave this kind of determination to the sole discretion of the trial judge. Travelers Insurance Co. v. Dykes, 395 F.2d 747 (5th Cir. 1968). 17 Affirmed.