Opinion ID: 1826632
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Dr Maggio

Text: Beech et al. also complain that the trial court erred in excluding the testimony of their witness Dr. Maggio. Dr. Maggio is a psychiatrist who would have given testimony regarding the plaintiffs' fear, apprehension and grief resulting from their alleged exposure to dioxin. This testimony went toward proving plaintiffs' claims for mental and emotional distress and fear of future disease. However, since the trial court granted the defendants summary judgment on those claims, the court instructed the parties that the testimony of Dr. Maggio would not be allowed. Mississippi has not recognized a cause of action for fear of future disease. Leaf River Forest Products, Inc. v. Ferguson, 662 So.2d 648, 658 (Miss. 1995). Furthermore, the plaintiffs' failure to produce any proof through blood tests or other medical evidence was fatal to their claims for mental and emotional distress and fear of future disease. As a result, any testimony regarding these claims became irrelevant for purposes of the trial. The judge therefore properly excluded the testimony of Dr. Maggio.