Opinion ID: 1821924
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Coleman's arguments

Text: Coleman raises two assignments of error. First, given the evidentiary basis supporting the jury's finding of fault on Dr. Sherman's part for failing to diagnose and treat Coleman's arm infection on June 7, 1988, Coleman contends that the lower courts erred in granting Dr. Sherman's JNOV motion. Second, Coleman contends that the court of appeal erred in giving the PCF a credit of $110,000 for the settlements with JESH and CHNO. Given these settlements were each for less than $100,000 and given that neither healthcare provider was found liable, Coleman contends the PCF was not entitled to a credit. As to the PCF's entitlement to a credit, we pretermit addressing this issue given our decision to remand this case to the court of appeal on the issues of quantum and application of the MMA's limitations to the ultimate damage award. As to the granting of JNOV in Dr. Sherman's favor, we readily reject plaintiffs argument and cite with approval the appellate court's reasoning on this issue: [P]laintiff did not complain to Dr. Sherman about his arm when Dr. Sherman saw him. The plaintiffs primary complaint was chest pain. The plaintiffs generalized symptoms did not develop into swelling in the area of plaintiffs arm until after the plaintiffs initial visit to the emergency room where Dr. Sherman examined him. . . . [R]esolving all reasonable inferences or factual questions in favor of the plaintiff, the evidence points so strongly in favor of Dr. Sherman that reasonable men could not find that his actions or inactions on June 7, 1988 proximately caused the ultimate loss of the plaintiffs left arm. 99-2998 at pp. 22-24, 787 So.2d at 465-66. We thus affirm the appellate court's holding that the trial court did not err in granting Dr. Sherman's JNOV motion.