Opinion ID: 1668421
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: expert medical opinion

Text: In his first assignment of error, Terry asserts that the trial court should not have permitted Duff's expert medical witness, Dr. William Friedman, to render an opinion based on the records produced in the case. The records in question previously had been the subject of Terry's motion in limine and included medical records from Dr. Duff's office, or his pre-operative or post-operative dictation at Bergan Mercy Hospital. Terry's motion in limine was renewed at the time Friedman testified and was overruled. Terry argues that Friedman should not have been permitted to render an expert opinion based on the records in question because the records provided by Duff to Friedman were not traditional medical records. They were not prepared at or near the time that the alleged medical services were provided, and the records were subsequently altered. The records may even have been prepared after notice of the lawsuit[;] much of the information contained in the records is false. Brief for appellant at 21. In all proceedings where the Nebraska Evidence Rules apply, admissibility of evidence is controlled by the Nebraska Evidence Rules, not by judicial discretion, except in those instances under the Nebraska Evidence Rules when judicial discretion is a factor involved in the admissibility of evidence. McDonald v. Miller, 246 Neb. 144, 518 N.W.2d 80 (1994). The basis of opinion testimony by an expert witness is controlled by Neb.Evid.R. 703, Neb.Rev.Stat. § 27-703 (Reissue 1989), which states: The facts or data in the particular case upon which an expert bases an opinion or inference may be those perceived by or made known to him at or before the hearing. If of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in the particular field in forming opinions or inferences upon the subject, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence. (Emphasis supplied.) The record shows that Duff's medical records, as well as his preoperative and postoperative dictations, were entered into evidence by Terry. Terry also had his own expert witness testify extensively about Duff's care of Terry based upon those same records. The information in the records was before the jury and thus was perceived by or made known to Friedman at the time of trial through the actions of Terry himself. As a consequence, Friedman was permitted by rule 703 to base his expert opinion on those records. Assuming without deciding that it was impermissible for a defense expert to testify based upon Duff's office records and his preoperative and postoperative dictations, it likewise would have been impermissible for Terry's expert to render an opinion on those same records. If it was error for Friedman to testify based upon Duff's records, it was error which Terry, by introducing the records into evidence, invited the court to commit. A party cannot complain of error which the party has invited the court to commit. Norwest Bank Neb. v. Bowers, 246 Neb. 83, 516 N.W.2d 623 (1994). This assignment of error is without merit.