Opinion ID: 666047
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Limitation on proof of damages

Text: 10 The trial court limited Oltz's proof of damages to June 26, 1982 because Oltz did not prove in the first trial that the renegotiated contract between St. Peter's and the M.D. anesthesiologists violated the antitrust laws. Without such proof, the June 26, 1982 agreement would be legal because an exclusive contract, standing alone, does not violate Sec. 1 of the Sherman Act. Oltz, 861 F.2d at 1449. To succeed under a continuing conspiracy theory, Oltz had to prove that each successive contract violated the antitrust laws. See generally, Flintkote Co. v. Lysfjord, 246 F.2d 368, 394-95 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 355 U.S. 835, 78 S.Ct. 54, 2 L.Ed.2d 46 (1957). 1 11 Oltz, however, did introduce evidence showing that the initial exclusive contract, which violated the antitrust laws, destroyed his practice in Helena. In the first appeal of this case, we noted: 12 Ample evidence supports Oltz's claim that the M.D. anesthesiologists and St. Peter's conspired to terminate his billing contract as well as to enter the exclusive contract. Thus, the jury could justifiably have concluded that the goal was, at least partially, the elimination of Oltz as a direct competitor of the anesthesiologists. 13 Oltz, 861 F.2d at 1449. Because the initial conspiracy destroyed his practice, Oltz is entitled to seek recovery for all damages resulting from the destruction of his business in Helena. See Dolphin Tours, Inc. v. Pacifico Creative Serv., Inc., 773 F.2d 1506, 1511 & n. 5 (9th Cir.1985). The legality of any subsequent agreements between the conspirators is irrelevant, because the April 29, 1980 contract severed the lifeline to Oltz's thriving practice in Helena.