Opinion ID: 6985051
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Legal References

Text: We are troubled by one aspect of this case. As noted above, the ACOG videotape’s closing credits include the statement: “This video does not define a standard of care.” Other learned treatises read at trial contain similar legalistic language, or actually allude to litigation, such as Dr. Gherman’s article in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which refers to unfounded assertions made by “plaintiffs’ expert witnesses'.” Such references tend to suggest that shoulder dystocia births are the source of much unjustified litigation, and that the instant case was merely an example of such litigiousness rather than a legitimate attempt to achieve redress for real injury. Although plaintiffs have not directly challenged these references, we feel compelled to point out that they should have been redacted under Rule 403. See generally Outley v. City of New York, 837 F.2d 587, 592 (2d Cir.1988) (because “[t]he charge of litigiousness is a serious one, likely to result in undue prejudice” it may be cause for exclusion under Rule 403); see, e.g., Staley v. Bridgestone/ Firestone, Inc., 106 F.3d 1504, 1513 (10th Cir.1997) (redacting prejudicial material under Rules 403 and 404(b)). The district court’s failure to perform such a redaction, however, does not warrant reversal. Throughout trial, Judge Gleeson carefully policed both counsel and the witnesses to ensure that the evidence was — in the main — properly focused on the discrete issue of whether Dr. Herzog committed malpractice in delivering Amanda Costantino. On this record, it is clear that the isolated admission of a few objectionable legal references could not have swayed the jury’s verdict. See Perry, 115 F.3d at 150. We raise this issue only to alert district courts to be wary of admitting such material in the future.