Opinion ID: 610623
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Jeanette Sammuels

Text: 51 During trial, Jeanette Sammuels, a physical therapist, gave testimony about her evaluation of Mr. Stutzman. She also described generally the benefits of physical therapy. Ms. Sammuels, however, was not permitted to testify that she had a plan, which if implemented, could improve Mr. Stutzman's strength and coordination to the point where he could resume light farming duties. The trial court sustained the plaintiffs' objections to such testimony because it offered a medical prognosis that a physical therapist was not qualified to render. The defendants claim the trial court's decision constitutes reversible error. We disagree. 52 We afford wide latitude to the district court to qualify expert witnesses and to admit or exclude expert testimony. Bob Willow, 872 F.2d at 797; Jones v. Hamelman, 869 F.2d 1023, 1028 (7th Cir.1989). The defendants do not cite any cases which directly support their conclusion that the trial court abused its discretion. Rather, the defendants direct us to two cases from state jurisdictions which involved the testimony of physical therapists. Moore v. Missouri Pacific Ry. Co., 825 S.W.2d 839 (Mo.1992); Bolton v. CNA Ins. Co., 821 S.W.2d 932 (Tenn.1991). Neither case furthers the defendants' position. 53 In Moore, the court held only that a physical therapist could properly qualify as an expert on the operation of a machine and the administration of a test using that machine. 825 S.W.2d at 844. The court specifically relied on the facts that the therapist did not offer an opinion on the patient's condition and that the task of interpreting the test results was left to the physician. Id. In Bolton, the court held that a physical therapist was not competent to give an expert opinion on the permanence and extent of the plaintiff's disability. 821 S.W.2d at 938. The trial court did not abuse its discretion by limiting Ms. Sammuels' testimony in this case.