Opinion ID: 456068
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Trial Court's Failure to Grant a Directed Verdict

Text: 5 Aetna first contends that the district court judge erred in failing to direct a verdict against plaintiff-appellee at the close of plaintiff's case. Aetna argues that plaintiff presented no evidence that Mrs. Dallis' expenses at the IRC were covered medical expenses under the terms of the policy. More specifically, Aetna contends that plaintiff presented no evidence that the treatment Mrs. Dallis received at the IRC was treatment by a physician. 6 In reviewing the propriety of the denial of defendant's motion for a directed verdict, we must consider all of the evidence in the light and with all reasonable inferences most favorable to the plaintiff. O'Donnell v. Georgia Osteopathic Hospital, Inc., 748 F.2d 1543, 1547 (11th Cir.1984). Plaintiff introduced testimony that the categories of coverage under the group health insurance policy included the fees of a physician or surgeon. Plaintiff also introduced testimony that several physicians rendered medical services at the IRC. One of the doctors testified that he was responsible for monitoring the condition and progress of each patient receiving treatment. Based on this testimony, a reasonable jury could find that Mrs. Dallis and other patients at the IRC were receiving treatment from a physician, and that the costs of Mrs. Dallis' treatment were therefore covered medical expenses. The trial court judge correctly denied defendant's motion for a directed verdict.