Opinion ID: 735432
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Exclusion of evidence following bifurcation

Text: 13 The plaintiff argues that the court denied him substantial justice by excluding evidence of the full extent of his injuries. He argues that he was not allowed to testify about his trip to the emergency room after the incident, nor about his injuries. He also complains that the court substantially limited the testimony of Dr. Markesbery, by allowing only a description of Martin's emergency room treatment and first doctor's office visit, and excluding evidence of subsequent visits. Martin insists that the court also erred by excluding Dr. Sommerkamp's testimony about Martin's two elbow surgeries allegedly caused by the defendants' treatment. Finally, Martin argues that the court erred by excluding evidence by Dr. Rettay, a chiropractor, as well as evidence about his post-traumatic stress disorder. Martin insists that all of this evidence about the extent of his injuries was essential to prove the amount of force used and to verify his credibility. He also argues that bifurcation should not be used in a manner that substantially and adversely affects the rights of a party. In re Beverly Hills Fire Litig., 695 F.2d 207, 217 (6th Cir.1982), cert. denied, 461 U.S. 929, 103 S.Ct. 2090, 77 L.Ed.2d 300 (1983) (discussing judge's discretion to bifurcate, but warning of danger of depriving plaintiff of legitimate right to place before the jury the circumstances and atmosphere of the entire cause of action). 14 In evaluating a challenge to the exclusion of evidence, this court will not reverse the district court's decision unless necessary to do substantial justice. Fed.R.Civ.P. 61. In a bifurcated trial, the propriety of excluding evidence may also involve the appropriateness of bifurcating issues under Fed.R.Civ.P. 42(b). Bifurcation orders are reviewed for abuse of discretion, with the court required to consider the potential prejudice to the parties, the possible confusion of the jurors, and the resulting convenience and economy. In re Beverly Hills Fire Litig., 695 F.2d at 216. 15 After bifurcating the trial in this case into issues of liability and damages, the district court purported to limit the plaintiff's presentation of medical proof to evidence probative of liability. To determine whether the court improperly excluded evidence, we must look first to the elements of proof in a civil rights case claiming excessive force. In Graham v. Connor, 490 U.S. 386, 394, 109 S.Ct. 1865, 1870, 104 L.Ed.2d 443 (1989), the Supreme Court held that the Fourth Amendment's reasonableness standard governs excessive force claims arising in the context of arrests. In determining the reasonableness of force used in an arrest, one must balance  'the nature and quality of the intrusion on the individual's Fourth Amendment interests'  against the governmental interests at stake. Id. at 396, 109 S.Ct. at 1871 (citing United States v. Place, 462 U.S. 696, 703, 103 S.Ct. 2637, 2642, 77 L.Ed.2d 110 (1983)). The Court continued by saying that [t]he 'reasonableness' of a particular use of force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, rather than with the 20/20 vision of hindsight. Graham, 490 U.S. at 396, 109 S.Ct. at 1872. 16 The Court's reference to the nature and quality of the intrusion must include consideration of the severity of any injury inflicted. When the district court limited evidence of the severity of Martin's injury to evidence collected immediately after the incident, it ignored the fact that the severity of an injury may not be apparent immediately after an accident. For example, an apparently sprained or bruised leg that does not seem to warrant immediate treatment might later reveal fractures indicative of a more severe blow. Such evidence would clearly be relevant to establish the amount of force used. Similarly, evidence of a plaintiff's psychological injury may reflect on the severity of the force used. And, although a defendant may be able to argue that he or she did not cause the subsequently appearing physical or psychological injuries, the causation question is one for the jury. In this case, the district court's attempt to draw a simple line excluding all evidence beyond the emergency room notes was error, requiring reversal. Moreover, because the extent of the plaintiff's damages was relevant to the question of liability, the district court abused its discretion by bifurcating the trial. 17