Opinion ID: 160909
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Causation of Disease

Text: 32 Appellants made a proffer that Dr. Zola would testify that, based upon a reasonable degree of medical certainty, Phillips' drug use did not cause bacterial endocarditis. See Vol. II, p. 753-55. This testimony was necessary, appellants argue, to rebut arguments or evidence that HMC or Dr. Cobb might present to the effect Phillips caused his own death. The district court stated that the cause of Phillips' bacterial endocarditis was irrelevant to the negligence claim at issue and that Phillips' use of drugs was relevant only to the extent that he failed to inform Dr. Cobb of a pertinent medical condition. See id. at 755. While counsel for HMC and Dr. Cobb were free to argue Phillips withheld pertinent information, the district court rule that if [counsel for HMC or Dr. Cobb] start even for a moment suggesting that the cause of death was drug use, then there will be serious old testament stuff. Id. 33 Because appellant has failed to indicate any events contrary to this ruling actually occurred, we are assured all arguments fell well within this ruling. Without evidence alleging Phillips caused his own death, appellants' sole justification for Dr. Zola's testimony vanishes. Accordingly, we hold the district court's decision fell well within his wide discretion. Furthermore, while it may have been appropriate to offer a limiting instruction to the jury, there is no indication appellants requested one. Given appellants' failure, we can not say plain error occurred. See Gilbert v. Cosco Inc., 989 F.2d 399, 404 (10th Cir. 1993); see also United States v. Pedraza, 27 F.3d 1515, 1526 (10th Cir. 1994) (stating the failure to seek a limiting instruction, in a criminal case, may be the result of a tactical decision).