Opinion ID: 1900997
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Reference to Beverly Ann's application for social security disability

Text: In his ruling in limine, the court indicated that he would not permit any evidence relating to either the application to Social Security or the granting or denial of any Social Security benefits. On direct examination of Dr. John McGinn by defense counsel, the following colloquy took place: Q. When did you first see Beverly Olsen, the plaintiff in this case? A. I first saw Beverly Olsen December 17th, 1980. Q. At whose request did you see her? A. At the request of the Mr. Wendell Burden from the Department of Disability Determination. There was objection. On being reminded of the in limine ruling, the court stated: I do not believe it's prejudicial to the plaintiffs' case, but I would ask [counsel for the defendant] to get onto another area and not explore it any further. I do not want anything in front of the jury for which they could reasonably reach a determination that she's receiving any kind of disability. The plaintiffs' request for a mistrial was denied. Assuming, as we did in the other in limine ruling, that there was a technical violation by the defendant's counsel of the presiding justice's pretrial order in causing an indirect testimonial reference to a possible application for benefits by the plaintiff Beverly Ann Olsen to Social Security Administration, Department of Disability Determination, the presiding justice's decision on the plaintiffs' suggestion of mistrial was proper. In this jurisdiction, it is well established generally that a motion for a mistrial is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial justice. Poulin v. Colby College, 402 A.2d 846, 853 (Me.1979); Cope v. Sevigny, 289 A.2d 682, 690 (Me.1972). The plaintiffs' articulated objection to the admissibility of evidence of Beverly Ann's application to Social Security for benefits on grounds of physical disability pointed to the fact that such evidence would be irrelevant in the case because the standard of proof or the standard for obtaining social security disability is different from the standard of proof in a civil action for personal injuries. We note here that there was no evidence respecting whether the application, if any application for benefits was actually filed instead of a mere inquiry on the part of Beverly Ann, was granted or denied. The mere reference of the plaintiff to Dr. McGinn by social security personnel was expressly determined by the presiding justice as nonprejudicial to the plaintiffs' case at that point. Any possible contrary finding seems too remote to form a proper basis for the grant of a motion for a mistrial. The presiding justice acted within the scope of his discretion in this instance.