Court Opinion

ID: 13989
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2010-04-25 06:31:40+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:04:03.752006
License: Public Domain

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
                             FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

                                     No. 97-60293
                                   Summary Calendar

BARBARA GOLDSTEIN,
                                                                       Plaintiff-Appellant,
                                          versus
P.G. CARNESALE, Dr; CAMPBELL CLINIC, INC.,
                                                                   Defendants-Appellees.

                      Appeal from the United States District Court
                        For the Northern District of Mississippi
                                 (1:96-CV-156-LB-A)
                                     January 8, 1998
Before POLITZ, Chief Judge, DUHÉ and BARKSDALE, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*

       Barbara Goldstein appeals an adverse jury verdict on her medical malpractice
claim against Dr. P.G. Carnesale and the Campbell Clinic, Inc. For the reasons

assigned we affirm.

                                      Background

       In 1978 Goldstein fractured her right tibia and ankle in a motorcycle

   *
    Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the Court has determined that this opinion should not be
published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR.
R. 47.5.4.
accident, which ultimately healed in a malposition, leaving her with a bowed and
painful right leg. In 1987 Goldstein consulted Dr. Carnesale, a board-certified

orthopedic surgeon at the Campbell Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee, to inquire about

the possibility of having her leg straightened. Dr. Carnesale suggested a surgical
procedure called an osteotomy; Goldstein elected not to have surgery at that time.

In April 1993 Goldstein saw Dr. Earl Whitwell at the Tupelo Orthopedic Clinic in

Tupelo, Mississippi, complaining of increasing problems with her right knee and

ankle. Surgery was discussed but she again opted against same. In October 1994
Goldstein returned to Dr. Carnesale and requested that he undertake the surgery.1
       On November 9, 1994 Dr. Carnesale operated on Goldstein’s right leg and
she developed a low-grade wound infection in the surgical incision. Dr. Carnesale

treated Goldstein for this infection until April 1995 when she sought the care of
another physician, Dr. Thomas Russell. Dr. Russell attempted conservative

treatment to heal or arrest the infection. These efforts were unsuccessful and
ultimately Goldstein’s right leg was amputated.
       In November 1995 Goldstein filed suit in state court against Dr. Carnesale

and the Campbell Clinic alleging medical malpractice and lack of informed

consent. Defendants removed the case to federal court where trial to a jury resulted
in a verdict for the defendants. Goldstein timely appealed.

                                         Analysis

       Goldstein contends that the district court erred in granting Dr. Carnesale’s

  1
    Goldstein had visited Dr. Carnesale in May 1993 and, after that visit, had again decided
against surgery.
                                             2
motion to exclude her expert’s testimony and in admitting her medical records from
the Tupelo Clinic. We review these evidentiary rulings for an abuse of discretion. 2

         Goldstein sought to introduce the opinion testimony of Patricia Dubard, a

certified family nurse practitioner, relative to the relevant standard of care in the
diagnosing and treatment of Goldstein’s post-surgical infection. The district court

properly disallowed this testimony as Dubard was not qualified to render such an

opinion.3

         Goldstein also contends that the district court erred in admitting her medical
records from the Tupelo Clinic. Goldstein stipulated to the authenticity of the
records prior to trial, and the records do not constitute inadmissible hearsay. Thus,
the records were properly admitted. Finding no abuse of discretion, the judgment

appealed is AFFIRMED.

  2
   First United Financial Corp. v. U.S. Fidelity & Guaranty Co., 96 F.3d 135 (5th Cir.
1996).
   3
       Daubert v. Merrill-Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579 (1993).
                                            3