Opinion ID: 488140
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: admissibility of evidence of plaintiff's terminal cancer

Text: 16 At trial, Carroll Wright testified that he suffered from terminal cancer. Commercial Union promptly objected to the admissibility of this testimony. Wright testified that drugs taken during chemotherapy had affected his memory, which accounted for the fact that he did not promptly submit a signed statement of loss with the insurance company. At trial, Wright's counsel made the following argument: 17 I think his mental condition after this loss and the treatment that he was having and all is very important because I think that [Commercial Union's counsel] is going to make the claim that Mr. Wright never filed a proper claim with this insurance company. And I believe it's important to show what his state of mind was and what his state of health was at the time that all this was going on. 18 The trial judge overruled the objection and permitted Wright to describe his therapy and medication. Later in the proceeding, the plaintiff's wife testified, without objection, to her husband's illness. Also without objection, an adjuster for Commercial Union was asked during cross-examination whether Commercial Union knew of Mr. Wright's cancer during the filing of his claim. 19 Wright contends evidence of cancer tends to explain (1) his untimely filing of a proof of loss statement, (2) incomplete statements appearing in answers to Commercial Union's interrogatories, and (3) his economic condition at the time the building was sold. The district court did not abuse its discretion in holding that the probative value of this evidence outweighed its prejudicial impact. Fed.R.Evid. 403. 20 Commercial Union contended that Wright failed to comply with the policy requirements that a proof of loss and inventory of damaged property be submitted. Wright's response was that he had done all he could be expected to do in light of assurances made by Commercial Union's agents. It was not reversible error for the district judge to permit Wright to show his failing health to show the reasonableness of his conduct under the circumstances. See Fed.R.Evid. 403; Rozier v. Ford Motor Co., 573 F.2d 1332, 1347 (5th Cir.1978). 21