Opinion ID: 2242785
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Contributory Negligence and Mitigation of Damages

Text: Plaintiff argues that the trial court erred in allowing defendants to present evidence and argument concerning (i) the refusal by plaintiff, McDonnell, and their daughter, Nula McDonnell, to consent to hip removal surgery; (ii) the alleged refusal by plaintiff to follow Dr. Mullin's instructions after the November 8 emergency room visit, and to return to the emergency room on November 9; and (iii) the alleged failure of plaintiff and Nula to allow artificial ventilation of McDonnell on November 11 and 12. Plaintiff argues, generally, that defendants and the trial court failed to distinguish between contributory negligence and mitigation of damages. Plaintiff also argues, more particularly, that a plaintiff has no obligation to mitigate damages by submitting to serious or major surgery. See Hall v. Dumitru, 250 Ill.App.3d 759, 189 Ill.Dec. 700, 620 N.E.2d 668 (1993). Generally, errors at trial relating solely to damages will not be considered on appeal where it is evident that the jury, having found in favor of the defendant as to liability, never reached the question of damages. Mulvey v. Illinois Bell Telephone Co., 53 Ill.2d 591, 599, 294 N.E.2d 689 (1973). An exception exists where errors which go to the question of damages are so pervasive and prejudicial as to create the likelihood that they may have affected a jury's decision on the issue of liability. Mulvey, 53 Ill.2d at 599-600, 294 N.E.2d 689. In the instant case, plaintiff brought a wrongful death claim and a survival claim. Plaintiff brought the wrongful death claim on behalf of herself and the McDonnells' three adult childrenAnne Dougherty, Nula McDonnell, and Richard McDonnell. Under the Wrongful Death Act, the contributory negligence of one or more of the beneficiaries on whose behalf the action is brought is not a defense. Rather, any damages awarded shall not include any compensation with reference to the pecuniary injuries resulting from such death, to such contributorily negligent person, who shall not share in the award. Ill.Rev.Stat.1987, ch. 70, pars. 1, 2. Consistent with the Wrongful Death Act, the jury was instructed that the contributory negligence of plaintiff or Nula barred recovery by that individual or individuals, but that those individuals who were not contributorily negligent may be awarded their pecuniary damages. Plaintiff brought the survival claim on behalf of McDonnell's estate for personal injuries suffered by McDonnell. See Ill. Rev.Stat.1987, ch. 110½, par. 27-6. As to this claim, the jury was instructed that a patient's failure to exercise ordinary care in obtaining treatment or in following reasonable medical advice does not absolve the physician's negligence; it only absolves the physician from damages caused by the patient's failure to exercise ordinary care. See IPI Civil 3d No. 105.08. Based on the foregoing, it is clear that the evidence and argument of which plaintiff complains went only to the question of damages. The jury, however, found in favor of the defendants as to liability, and thus never reached the question of damages. We need not, therefore, consider whether the trial court erred in permitting such evidence and argument. See Mulvey, 53 Ill.2d at 599, 294 N.E.2d 689. Assuming, however, that the trial court erred, this is not a case where such error is so pervasive as to affect the jury's decision as to liability. The record reveals that the jury heard argument and testimony over a period of four weeks. In addition to the testimony of the parties, the jury heard testimony from no less than 12 medical professionals, including four orthopedic surgeons, four internists, one nephrologist, one emergency medicine specialist, one geriatric specialist, and one emergency room nurse. The transcripts consume over 3,000 pages. Of this voluminous record, only a slight portion involves evidence as to contributory negligence and mitigation of damages. The defendants' closing arguments reflect the lack of emphasis on these issues. In closing, Dr. Mullin's counsel touched on these issues twice, and then only briefly. Similarly, the coverage afforded these issues by Dr. McPartlin's counsel is small, in relation to counsel's argument as a whole. Given the length of this trial and the sheer volume of evidence placed before the jury, the relatively small amount of evidence and argument as to contributory negligence and mitigation of damages was not pervasive at all, much less so pervasive as to affect the jury's decision on liability.