Opinion ID: 1824501
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: terri ann dziuk.

Text: Terri Ann's parents testified that she was unconscious at the accident scene. She was removed by ambulance personnel, who were not called to testify. Dr. Robert T. Peterson examined her at the hospital and noted that she had a three-inch long scalp laceration on her right posterior scalp area, and that she was upset, answered questions vaguely. She was hospitalized until December 21, 1960. The hospital record was not offered in evidence and we have no disinterested testimony as to her progress there. She returned to school after the Christmas vacation and experienced headaches on several occasions. Dr. Peterson saw her on December 27, on January 3, 1961, and on January 10, when she seemed to be doing quite well. He observed Terri Ann again on February 13, 1961, and at that time she was complaining of some visual difficulties. He said, I think she had some little double vision with spots in front of her eyes, and so on. She was referred to an eye specialist by Dr. Peterson. No testimony from such specialist was offered and we do not know whether this recommendation was followed. Upon cross-examination Dr. Peterson characterized the injury of Terri Ann as a mild concussion. Terri Ann Dziuk testified that her first recollection after the accident was when she woke up in the hospital. When asked with respect to her eyes, she said, I just couldn't focus my eyes just a little bit, but nothing else. I didn't see double or anything  nothing real bad. Following the accident she experienced headaches. Dr. Harold H. Noran of the Minneapolis Clinic of Psychiatry and Neurology, called by plaintiff, testified that he had examined Terri Ann on June 30, September 1, and November 27, 1961. Neurological examination was negative. An electroencephalogram reading was made from which he concluded that she had a cerebral disrhythm or abnormal electro-encephalogram. He said, [T]his child is normal neurologically but she has what would be termed a cerebral disrhythm or abnormal electro-encephalogram. That is as far as I could go. He testified, Right now in my opinion she is clinically well and isn't having any trouble now. Upon cross-examination Dr. Noran conceded that in some cases an abnormal electroencephalogram reading of the type here involved might be found in a patient who had not sustained a head injury. He also agreed that electroencephalogram readings made over a period of time following a head injury usually tend to show a diminishing degree of abnormality in cases where trauma is the cause of the observed disrhythm. He stated this opinion: Q. You think with a reasonable degree of certainty that she is going to be all right? A. Yes, sir. While reference was made to traumatic convulsive seizures as a future possibility, the trial court instructed the jury: Dr. Noran testified relative to Terri Ann Dziuk's condition and gave certain testimony relative to the future or permanent injuries, all of which was a guess, according to his testimony. Therefore, you are to disregard that part of his testimony because it can't be of any assistance to you. No exception was made to the part of the charge that related to the testimony of Dr. Noran above quoted. The jury found that Terri Ann Dziuk sustained general damages in the amount of $200. This allowance was extremely modest. The trial judge, however, has had opportunity to view the situation personally. He apparently concluded that the amount awarded represented fair compensation for the injuries received; otherwise, the special verdict on this issue would not have been accepted without additur. We cannot say his determination represents an abuse of discretion.