Opinion ID: 2341867
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: testimony of dr. bower

Text: The Gundersons sought to present the expert testimony of Dr. Barbara Bower to testify as to how the loss of their mother affected Nicholas and Wesley relative to their loss of parental consortium claim. Dr. Bower established that she has a doctorate in counseling psychology and is a certified/licensed mental health counselor in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. Dr. Bower testified that she had taught at two universities, had twenty years of experience as a private children's counselor and fifteen years as a school guidance counselor. The Gundersons asked Dr. Bower to perform a psychological assessment of Nicholas and Wesley for purposes of this lawsuit. She met with the boys eight times during 2000 and 2001 and attempted, through observation, conversations, drawings, and writing assignments, to elicit their feelings about themselves and the loss of their mother. Dr. Bower did not use any standard psychological tests to evaluate the boys and did not attempt to diagnose or treat the boys. It was Dr. Bower's opinion that both boys had been deeply affected by the loss of their mother. Relative to Nicholas, Dr. Bower testified that he expressed a sense of abandonment and sadness, which she attributed to the fact that he was four years old and had already bonded with his mother when she was abruptly taken away from him. Dr. Bower explained that losing a mother at age four affects a child's sense of appropriate behavior and their overall trust in the world. As to Wesley, Dr. Bower testified that he had attachment and trust issues stemming from the fact that he was never able to know or bond with his mother, and that his family was thrown into chaos after her death. She stated that both boys would be at an increased risk for developmental problems, risk-taking behavior, and depression as a result of losing their mother at such a young age. Dr. Bower displayed to the jury pictures drawn by the boys and, with some pictures, described the significance of the pictures relative to the loss of their mother. She also read letters that she had asked the boys to write to their mother. Prior to trial, Appellants filed a motion in limine to exclude the testimony of Dr. Bower on grounds that it was too subjective, speculative, and inflammatory, and the subject matter was not outside the common knowledge of the jurors. Appellants maintained that Dr. Bower's testimony was not in keeping with Daubert because it was not based on good science or methodology such as an objective testing method. We view Dr. Bower's testimony as properly within the scope of KRE 702 in this case. Dr. Bower had specialized knowledge in child psychology by virtue of her experience and education to assist the jury in understanding how the Gunderson children were affected by their mother's death and the extent of the emotional injury from that loss, which was clearly relevant in assessing damages on the loss of parental consortium claim. KRE 402. Although laypersons are generally aware that children are negatively affected by the loss of a parent, Dr. Bower was able, through her observations of and conservations with the boys, to specifically describe and explain certain emotional issues Nicholas and Wesley were contending with as a result of losing their mother at such a young age. And while it is true that Nicholas and Wesley testified at trial, the boys were only fifteen and eleven years old, respectively, at the time, and Dr. Bower had specialized knowledge and skills in getting children to express emotions they may not have otherwise been able to articulate at such a young age. As to Appellants' claim that her testimony was too subjective and speculative, we note that Dr. Bower was not making a definitive scientific diagnosis of the boys. See Jenson v. Eveleth Taconite Co., 130 F.3d 1287, 1297-99 (8th Cir.1997). Rather, she was assessing the emotional impact of the death of their mother. When asked why she did not administer any objective psychological tests on the boys, Dr. Bower explained that she felt that may have impeded their trust in her and hindered their willingness to open up to her about their mother. Given Dr. Bower's extensive education and experience in counseling children, and the limited purpose of her testimony, we adjudge that it was sufficiently reliable under Daubert to be offered relative to the loss of parental consortium claim. See Rogers v. Detroit Edison Co., 328 F.Supp.2d 687, 690-92 (E.D.Mich.2004) (psychologist's testimony about psychological problems caused by appellant's accident deemed reliable given psychologist's education and professional experience and the fact that the opinion was based on multiple therapy sessions with appellant.) Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing it to be admitted. Appellants' argument as to the pictures drawn by Nicholas and Wesley and Dr. Bower's testimony about the pictures was not properly preserved. KRE 103. Nowhere in the record do we see that Appellants raise the issue of art therapy before the trial court. See Payne v. Hall, 423 S.W.2d 530 (Ky.1968). The argument was not part of Appellants' motion in limine regarding Dr. Bower's testimony, and the only objection made when the pictures were displayed at trial was Dr. Armstrong's objection that he was not permitted to introduce a picture drawn about Ms. Hays.