Court Opinion

ID: 5131999
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-12-06 16:13:16.818624+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:23:27.516457
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Long v. Harding, 2021-Ohio-4240.]

                                    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                           TWELFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT OF OHIO

                                             BUTLER COUNTY

 JEFFREY LONG, et al.,                             :     CASE NO. CA2020-11-120

         Appellants,                               :          OPINION
                                                               12/6/2021
                                                   :
   - vs -
                                                   :

 MICHAEL J. HARDING,                               :

         Appellee.                                 :

            CIVIL APPEAL FROM BUTLER COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
                              Case No. CV-2018-03-0569

The Moore Law Firm, and Daniel N. Moore and Kelly W. Thye; Paul W. Flowers Co., L.P.A.,
and Paul W. Flowers and Louis E. Grube, for appellants.

Subashi, Wildermuth & Justice, Nicholas E. Subashi and Lauren K. Epperley, for appellee.

        M. POWELL, J.

        {¶ 1} Appellants, Jeffrey Long ("Jeffrey") and his wife Karen Long ("Karen"), appeal

a decision of the Butler County Court of Common Pleas in a personal-injury action for

refusing to excuse a prospective juror for cause, denying the Longs' motion to exclude the

testimony of an expert witness, and splitting costs between Karen and appellee, Michael

Harding ("Harding").

        {¶ 2} This case arose from an automobile accident that occurred on March 10,
                                                                       Butler CA2020-11-120

2016. Jeffrey was driving his 2015 Cadillac Escalade northbound on State Route 4; Harding

was driving his 2004 Chevrolet Silverado southbound on State Route 4. Harding swerved

left of center to avoid a vehicle stopped on the road in his path of travel. As Harding's

vehicle was heading for Jeffrey's Cadillac, Jeffrey swerved right to avoid a head-on collision.

Nonetheless, Jeffrey's Cadillac and Harding's Chevrolet sideswiped each other.

       {¶ 3} On March 8, 2018, Jeffrey filed a personal-injury complaint against Harding,

alleging negligence and seeking damages for the injuries he sustained as a result of the car

accident. Subsequently, Karen asserted a loss-of-consortium claim against Harding in an

amended complaint. Prior to trial, Harding admitted negligence; therefore, the only issues

at trial were proximate cause and damages. Jeffrey sought damages for past and future

medical expenses, past and future pain and suffering, and past and future loss of ability to

perform usual activities. Karen sought damages for loss of Jeffrey's services. In all, the

Longs sought damages of $607,830.52.

       {¶ 4} On October 12, 2020, the matter proceeded to a six-day jury trial. During voir

dire, the Longs challenged four prospective jurors for cause, including Juror 929. The trial

court denied these challenges for cause; the Longs used their three peremptory challenges

to remove three prospective jurors, but not Juror 929. Harding used his three peremptory

challenges to remove three other prospective jurors. At trial, Jeffrey, Karen, and one expert

witness testified on behalf of the Longs. Harding and two expert witnesses testified on

behalf of Harding.

       {¶ 5} Jeffrey is a master goldsmith, designs jewelry and repairs jewelry, watches,

and clocks, and owns his own business. His job requires that he perform a great deal of

benchwork, in addition to the administrative tasks involved in conducting a business. Jeffrey

testified that he immediately experienced back pain after the accident and that upon exiting

his Cadillac, he fell down as he was putting on his jacket. Jeffrey obtained a loaner vehicle

                                              -2-
                                                                        Butler CA2020-11-120

from the Cadillac dealership, returned home, and told Karen what had happened. At

Karen's suggestion, Jeffrey drove to the emergency room ("ER") where he reported having

numbness in his buttocks and requested an MRI. ER personnel advised him to consult with

his primary care physician.

       {¶ 6} The Longs presented the testimony of Dr. Marc Orlando, a physiatrist. Dr.

Orlando testified that Jeffrey's symptoms persisted and grew worse with time. He noted

that Jeffrey was experiencing back pain and numbness travelling down his legs consistent

with a pinched nerve. A September 2016 MRI revealed that Jeffrey suffered from a disc

herniation at L5-S1, resulting in significant nerve root impingement. Dr. Orlando opined that

the disc herniation was the result of the March 10, 2016 car accident with Harding. Jeffrey

was initially treated with physical therapy and epidural injections but eventually underwent

a laminectomy and discectomy. Nevertheless, his symptoms returned within six weeks

after the surgery. A new MRI revealed "significant disc space collapse with a foraminal disc

and a disc bulge." Jeffrey testified that his only option is to have a second surgery to install

a spinal cord stimulator, remove a disc, and fuse his spine. Jeffrey testified that as a result

of the car accident, he did not do bench work at the jewelry store for two weeks, can no

longer sit at the workbench for extended time periods, fatigues easily, and can no longer

engage in his daily activities. He further testified he can no longer help with household

chores such as shopping, house cleaning, cooking, and doing dishes. Karen testified that

she has to perform these tasks alone.

       {¶ 7} Harding presented contrary evidence. Specifically, Jeffrey neither mentioned

to his medical providers that he fell down after exiting his Cadillac after the accident nor

testified that he did so in his discovery deposition. The ER doctor's report reflects that it was

a relatively minor mechanism of injury, that Jeffrey ambulated without difficulty, and that

Jeffrey's complaints were so minor that no x-rays or similar diagnostic tests were ordered.

                                               -3-
                                                                       Butler CA2020-11-120

Upon his discharge from the ER, Jeffrey drove to his jewelry store and was able to work all

day. Harding also presented evidence that four months after the accident, Jeffrey drove his

family to Florida in a 12-passenger van. The evidence included social media posts showing

a happy and smiling Jeffrey.

       {¶ 8} Harding presented the testimony of Dr. Steven S. Wunder, a licensed, board-

certified medical doctor specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and

injury/medical causation for over 40 years. Dr. Wunder testified that: (1) Jeffrey had

sustained a soft tissue neck and back strain as a result of the March 10, 2016 car accident;

(2) Jeffrey's nine physical therapy visits post-accident were an appropriate treatment; (3)

Jeffrey's back surgery was not causally related to the car accident because the mechanism

of the accident had not been shown to cause the injury or aggravate an underlying

degenerative disc disease; (4) given the lack of any initial symptoms of sciatica, the car

accident was not the cause of the traumatic disc herniation; and (5) the disc herniation could

not be causally linked to the car accident given the one-to-two-month delayed onset of

symptoms.

       {¶ 9} Harding also presented the testimony of Douglas Morr, a biomechanical

engineer.   Morr testified that despite Jeffrey's claim that the car accident involved

"significant contact," the sideswipe contact involved minimal overlap and no "shifting

components" in either vehicle. Explaining his calculation of the motion (kinematics) and

forces (kinetics) Jeffrey experienced in the accident, Morr opined that the motion

experienced by Jeffrey would not have been outside the normal range of motion that he

would encounter in daily activities, such as getting in and out of a chair. Morr further opined

that the forces Jeffrey experienced in the accident would not have been outside the normal

range of forces that Jeffrey would experience in walking down stairs, jogging, or walking

briskly. Morr testified that the forces were not enough to cause a significant injury such as

                                              -4-
                                                                        Butler CA2020-11-120

a disc herniation. Morr further testified that a one-time loading event does not cause a disc

herniation absent failure of other structures first, including bones.

       {¶ 10} On October 19, 2020, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of $7,296.02 in

favor of Jeffrey upon his negligence claim, consisting of $5,296.02 for past medical

expenses and $2,000 for past pain and suffering. The jury awarded no damages for

Jeffrey's future medical expenses, future pain and suffering, and past and future loss of

ability to perform usual activities. The jury returned a unanimous verdict in favor of Harding

upon Karen's loss-of-consortium claim. Following the verdict, the trial court issued a final

judgment entry granting judgment in favor of Jeffrey upon his negligence claim and granting

judgment in favor of Harding upon Karen's loss-of-consortium claim. The trial court ordered

costs to be split between Karen and Harding.

       {¶ 11} The Longs now appeal, raising three assignments of error.

       {¶ 12} Assignment of Error No. 1:

       {¶ 13} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE SUBSTANTIAL PREJUDICE OF

PLAINTIFFS BY DENYING THE MOTION TO STRIKE JUROR 929.

       {¶ 14} The Longs argue that the trial court erred in failing to excuse Juror 929 for

cause because that juror "expressed an unmistakable bias against those seeking

compensation after having been injured." In particular, the Longs cite that juror's expressed

belief that personal-injury plaintiffs "take advantage of the situation to get as much as they

can" and "push it as far as to get the most they can," and that if plaintiffs are "making it up,

and you award them money, then yes, I would have a problem * * * giving them money."

       {¶ 15} R.C. 2313.17 governs challenges of jurors for cause. As applicable here, R.C.

2313.17(B)(9) provides that a prospective juror may be excused for cause when that person

"discloses by the person's answers that the person cannot be a fair and impartial juror or

will not follow the law as given to the person by the court." Additionally, R.C. 2313.17(D)

                                              -5-
                                                                        Butler CA2020-11-120

provides that

                any petit juror may be challenged on suspicion of prejudice
                against or partiality for either party, or for want of a competent
                knowledge of the English language, or other cause that may
                render the juror at the time an unsuitable juror. The validity of
                the challenge shall be determined by the court and be sustained
                if the court has any doubt as to the juror's being entirely
                unbiased.

       {¶ 16} R.C. 2313.17(B)(9) "requires the court to make a subjective determination

about a potential juror's fairness and impartiality and therefore requires the exercise of

judicial discretion." Hall v. Banc One Mgt. Corp., 114 Ohio St.3d 484, 2007-Ohio-4640, ¶

1. "The determination of whether a juror is impartial or biased involves a judgment of

credibility, which may not be apparent from the record on appeal. Therefore, a reviewing

court will defer to the trial judge who sees and hears the juror." Hunt v. E. Cleveland, 8th

Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105953, 2019-Ohio-1115, ¶ 37. A trial court has broad discretion in

determining whether to remove a prospective juror for cause. Gurley v. Nemer, 9th Dist.

Summit No. 21965, 2004-Ohio-5169, ¶ 5. A trial court's ruling on a challenge for cause will

therefore not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. Id. at ¶ 6. The term

"abuse of discretion" implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary, or

unconscionable. Berk v. Matthews, 53 Ohio St.3d 161, 169 (1990). When applying this

standard, an appellate court may not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court. Id.

       {¶ 17} At the beginning of voir dire, the trial court questioned the prospective jurors

regarding bias, impartiality, and fairness as follows: (1) regarding preconceived incorrect

ideas as to what the law is or ought to be, "If you have such ideas and thoughts, can each

of you commit to setting them aside?" (2) "Is there anyone that has any concern that they

would not be able to lay aside any bias, prejudice, or sympathies that they would have,

because none of that will be able to have an impact on your deliberations, and that's, in

fact, prohibited?" (3) "Is there anyone that feels that they would not be able to base their

                                               -6-
                                                                        Butler CA2020-11-120

decision solely upon the facts that are testified to by the witnesses, and the exhibits that are

admitted into evidence, and the law that the Court gives to you?" and (4) "Is there anyone

that feels that they need to bring to my attention any reason why they believe that they

cannot render a fair and impartial decision in this case?" No juror responded in the negative

to the first question; no juror responded affirmatively to the other questions.

       {¶ 18} During voir dire, counsel for the Longs questioned prospective jurors about

people "making claims up" and trying to either exaggerate injuries or "make it look like it's

more than what it is." Beginning with that portion of voir dire, the Longs' attorney continually

used the term "bias" or the phrase "little bit of bias" until the trial court eventually directed

him to cease using the term as the court had not yet instructed the jury on bias. The

following exchange took place between the Longs' attorney and Juror 929:

              JUROR 929: I do have a feeling people look at car accidents as
              a way to get money, or getting hurt by someone else causing it.
              But I don't want to just say a car accident, that's not fair. If
              somebody else caused your injury in some way, I feel like
              sometimes they look at it and say, I can plan something and see
              if I can get money from the person or from their insurance or
              somehow.

              [COUNSEL]: Okay. So what you're telling me is in a personal
              injury realm in general, not just car accidents, but including car
              accidents. When somebody's hurt as a result of the wreck or
              something like that, you believe that oftentimes people will try to
              take advantage of the situation to get as much as they can?

              JUROR 929: Yes.

              [COUNSEL]: Is that what you're saying?

              JUROR 929: Yes.

              [COUNSEL]: Okay. And that you believe that they push it
              further than they should?

              JUROR 929: I think they push it as far as to get the most they
              can.
              [COUNSEL]: Okay. All right. And does that feeling that you
              have, is that similar to Juror No. 586, this feeling that maybe it

                                               -7-
                                                                         Butler CA2020-11-120

             creates a little bit of bias in you about this process – not the
             process, but the personal injury claims?

             JUROR 929: I would say yes.

             [COUNSEL]: Okay. So when you're sitting down and you're
             thinking about this claim, or any claim. Let's just forget that
             you're here about this case, any case, you're going to have just
             that little bit of bias in your head about this personal injury claim
             may be one of those where somebody is pushing more than
             they should?

             JUROR 929: Yes.

             [COUNSEL]: Okay. And you might try to put it aside, just like
             over here, but it's still going to be there, and you're still going to
             have that little bit of bias; is that right?

             JUROR 929: Yes.

      {¶ 19} Counsel for the Longs subsequently asked the prospective jurors whether

anyone "ha[d] a real problem with somebody who says you just got to look at the facts, or

a case-by-case analysis, and set aside the bias thinking we just went through?" No juror

responded to the question.

      {¶ 20} Counsel for the Longs then asked whether anyone was "uncomfortable

awarding money damages to somebody in a lawsuit where there's personal injury?

[A]nyone uncomfortable, even a little bit of discomfort, saying a certain person should get

money as a result of having an injury?" Juror 929 replied,

             JUROR 929: "I mean, if you feel like they're making it up, and
             you award them money, then yes, I would have a problem* * *
             giving them money."

             [COUNSEL]: Okay. That goes back to the bias situation. If
             somebody is pushing something they shouldn't, they're making
             it up, or they're fraudulent claims, then of course they shouldn't
             get money.

             JUROR 929: Correct.

      {¶ 21} Harding's counsel also questioned prospective jurors regarding bias,

                                              -8-
                                                                         Butler CA2020-11-120

impartiality, and fairness as follows: (1) "Will everyone try their hardest to [keep an open

mind]?" (2) "recognizing that we all have implicit biases, * * * will you all try your very best

to put that aside and decide this case * * * on the facts and * * * the laws[.] Will all of you

do that?" and (3) "Will each and every one of you make your very best effort to treat each

party to this lawsuit fairly and impartially, and to the best of your human ability, to do justice

to each of them? Will all of you try your hardest?" No juror responded in the negative to

the foregoing questions. As stated above, counsel for the Longs subsequently challenged

Juror 929 for cause. The trial court denied the challenge for cause.

       {¶ 22} Viewing the totality of the voir dire proceedings and considering the deference

to which the trial judge is entitled in seating a jury, we find that the trial court did not abuse

its discretion when it refused to excuse Juror 929 for cause.

       {¶ 23} Notwithstanding the continual use of the term "bias" by the Longs' attorney

when questioning Juror 929, that juror's answers do not indicate that she could not be a fair

and impartial juror, or that she would not follow the law as given by the trial court. Rather,

Juror 929 simply expressed her feeling that personal-injury plaintiffs sometimes make up

claims or exaggerate their injuries in order to get as much money as they can. Juror 929

also expressed skepticism or reticence toward awarding money damages for such

fraudulent claims. While Juror 929 expressed skepticism regarding potential fraudulent

claims and resulting damage awards, she never stated she could not be impartial in the

case at bar. Her answers were an implicit recognition that a plaintiff bears the burden of

proof and disclosed her intent to scrutinize evidence rather than blindly accept it.

       {¶ 24} Furthermore, Juror 929 actively participated during voir dire, raising her hand

multiple times during questioning by the Longs' attorney. By contrast, the record indicates

that she did not respond to the trial court's questions regarding bias, impartiality, and

fairness quoted above or Harding's counsel's questions regarding the same. Likewise, the

                                               -9-
                                                                          Butler CA2020-11-120

record shows that Juror 929 did not answer or raise her hand when counsel for the Longs

asked whether anyone "ha[d] a real problem with somebody who says you just got to look

at the facts, or a case-by-case analysis, and set aside the bias thinking we just went

through?"

       {¶ 25} The trial court was in the best position to observe the demeanor of Juror 929

and evaluate firsthand the sincerity of her responses to questions. Berk, 53 Ohio St.3d at

169. As long as a trial court is satisfied that the juror can be fair and impartial and follow

the law as instructed, the court need not remove that juror for cause. See Giusti v. Felten,

9th Dist. Summit Nos. 26611 and 26695, 2014-Ohio-3115; Gurley, 2004-Ohio-5169.

       {¶ 26} In support of their argument that the trial court abused its discretion in failing

to excuse Juror 929 for cause, the Longs cite Klem v. Consol. Rail Corp., 191 Ohio App.3d

690, 2010-Ohio-3330 (6th Dist.). In that case, the appellant argued that the trial court erred

when it failed to excuse two jurors for cause during voir dire. These jurors were asked

whether they could follow the Federal Employers Liability Act, which had abolished the

assumption of the risk. The transcript of the voir dire proceedings revealed that the two

jurors "had difficulty setting aside the concept of assumption of the risk." Id. at ¶ 105. One

juror questioned the validity of the law specifically appliable to the case and acknowledged

it would be "difficult" to accept the trial judge's instructions on that score, in his words,

"[p]otentially" making it harder for the plaintiff to prove his case. Id. at ¶ 106-118. The other

juror admitted having that same issue and stated that his disagreement with the law "would

make it far more difficult" for plaintiff's counsel to prevail. Id. at ¶ 120-127. Unlike the jurors

in Klem, Juror 929 at no time expressed an unwillingness to follow applicable law. Klem is

therefore inapplicable.

       {¶ 27} The Longs also assert "it is entirely likely that Juror 929's sentiments had an

impact on the jury's decision * * * to award [Jeffrey] a nominal recovery for past pain and

                                               - 10 -
                                                                       Butler CA2020-11-120

suffering," and particularly on two other jurors who had expressed somewhat different but

similar views as Juror 929. Juror 960 expressed irritation that his insurance company had

once chosen to pay a personal-injury claim rather than contest it.         While Juror 475

expressed frustration that it is sometimes easier to pay out claims than to fight them, that

juror further stated he or she "would look at each case separately and study the evidence."

The Longs did not seek to excuse Jurors 475 and 960 for cause or otherwise. Additionally,

the record does not reflect that Juror 929 exerted undue influence upon the jury as a whole

or any individual juror during jury deliberations. The Longs' argument merely invites us to

speculate regarding the jury's deliberations and we refuse to do so.

      {¶ 28} The Longs' first assignment of error is overruled.

      {¶ 29} Assignment of Error No. 2:

      {¶ 30} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY DENYING THE MOTION TO EXCLUDE

THE TESTIMONY OF STEVEN S. WUNDER, M.D.

      {¶ 31} The Longs argue that the trial court erred in allowing Dr. Wunder to testify as

a defense expert because they were not provided with the materials he relied upon in

forming his opinion and which they had sought via discovery and subpoena.

      {¶ 32} Harding identified Dr. Wunder as an expert witness he would present at trial.

In 2019, Dr. Wunder reviewed Jeffrey's medical records, conducted an independent medical

examination, and prepared an initial 11-page report containing his findings and opinion

followed by a 2-page supplemental report. Dr. Wunder concluded that Jeffrey sustained a

neck and back sprain in the March 10, 2016 car accident, that Jeffrey had pre-existing and

longstanding degenerative disc disease, and that Jeffrey's disc herniation and subsequent

surgery could not be causally linked to the accident. Included in the reports were references

to materials such as the NEXUS criteria, the Braford-Hill criteria, and the AMA Guides

Newsletter. Both reports were provided to the Longs.

                                            - 11 -
                                                                       Butler CA2020-11-120

      {¶ 33} The videotaped trial deposition of Dr. Wunder was conducted on February 19,

2020. Prior to the deposition, the Longs subpoenaed Dr. Wunder to produce all articles,

texts, and other reference materials he had consulted and relied upon in forming his opinion.

The Longs further filed a request for production of documents upon Harding seeking the

same materials set forth in the subpoena. During his deposition, Dr. Wunder testified that

disc herniations in car accidents had been extensively studied and that there was no

indication that rear, side, or frontal impacts cause disc herniation. Dr. Wunder stated he

was relying upon the Bradford-Hill criteria, the NEXUS criteria for cervical spine imaging,

the Canadian criteria for head CT imaging, the medical literature in general, studies by the

Society of Automotive Engineers, and various national and international guidelines for

whiplash associated disorder, including guidelines out of Australia.

      {¶ 34} On February 28, 2020, dissatisfied with Dr. Wunder's response to their

subpoena and Harding's failure to produce the materials relied upon by Dr. Wunder, the

Longs moved to exclude the testimony of Dr. Wunder as a defense expert. The Longs

asserted that Dr. Wunder's "failure to produce the materials he referenced and relied upon

in forming his opinions, in violation of the Civil Rules and the subpoena served upon him in

advance of his trial deposition" mandated the exclusion of his testimony. The Longs' motion

was denied by a magistrate on September 21, 2020. The Longs filed objections to the

magistrate's decision, arguing that Dr. Wunder was required to produce the basis of his

opinion as an expert witness under Civ.R. 26 and that his failure to produce the materials

he cited and relied upon would prevent the Longs from demonstrating "the fallacy of Dr.

Wunder's opinions" to the jury. On October 8, 2020, the trial court overruled the Longs'

objections, "not[ing] that there was not any kind of motion to compel or anything else that

would have advised the Court that there was some kind of a discovery issue." The Longs

renewed their objections to Dr. Wunder's testimony prior to his deposition being played for

                                            - 12 -
                                                                                  Butler CA2020-11-120

the jury. The trial court once again overruled the objections.

        {¶ 35} It is well established that a trial court has broad discretion over discovery

matters. See Mezatasta v. Ent. Hill Farm, 6th Dist. Erie No. E-15-037, 2016-Ohio-3371.

"The discovery rules give the trial court great latitude in crafting sanctions to fit discovery

abuses. A reviewing court's responsibility is merely to review these rulings for an abuse of

discretion."    Nakoff v. Fairview Gen. Hosp., 75 Ohio St.3d 254, 256, 1996-Ohio-159.

"Although the decision to impose discovery sanctions is a matter within the sound discretion

of the trial court, 'the exclusion of reliable and probative evidence is a severe sanction and

should be invoked only when clearly necessary to enforce willful noncompliance or to

prevent unfair surprise.'" Grady v. Charles Kalinsky, D.D.S., Inc., 165 Ohio App.3d 306,

2005-Ohio-5550, ¶ 14 (8th Dist.), quoting Nickey v. Brown, 7 Ohio App.3d 32, 34 (9th

Dist.1982).

        {¶ 36} Civ.R. 26 sets forth general provisions governing discovery. Regarding the

disclosure of expert testimony, Civ.R. 26(B)(7)(c) provides that "a party may not call an

expert witness to testify unless a written report has been procured from the witness and

provided to opposing counsel. The report of an expert must disclose a complete statement

of all opinions and the basis and reasons for them as to each matter on which the expert

will testify." Dr. Wunder's initial 11-page report and supplemental 2-page report identify his

opinions as well as the basis and reasons for them and therefore comply with Civ.R.

26(B)(7)(c).1

        {¶ 37} As stated above, the Longs subpoenaed Dr. Wunder to produce all articles,

texts, and other reference materials he had consulted and relied upon in forming his opinion.

1. Effective July 1, 2020, former Civ.R. 26(B)(5) was modified and renumbered as Civ.R. 26(B)(7). In support
of their February 2020 motion to exclude Dr. Wunder's testimony for failure to produce materials, the Longs
cited former Civ.R. 26(B)(5) which provided that a party may discover "the expert's opinions and the grounds
therefor[.]" Dr. Wunder's reports identify his "opinions and the grounds therefor" and therefore complied with
former Civ.R. 26(B)(5).
                                                    - 13 -
                                                                      Butler CA2020-11-120

Pursuant to Civ.R. 34(C), and subject to the scope of discovery under Civ.R. 26(B), any

party seeking documents from a non-party may compel their production by way of a

subpoena in accord with Civ.R. 45. "Failure by any person without adequate excuse to

obey a subpoena served upon that person may be deemed a contempt of the court from

which the subpoena issued." Civ.R. 45(E).

       {¶ 38} The Longs also filed a request for production of documents upon Harding

seeking the same materials set forth in the subpoena. Civ.R. 34(A) provides that any party

may serve on any other party a request to produce any designated materials in the

possession, custody, or control of the party upon whom the request is served. If the party

upon whom the request is served fails to produce and permit inspection of the requested

materials, then Civ.R. 37(A)(3) allows the requesting party to move for an order to compel

discovery. However, before a court may sanction a party for a discovery violation, the court

must have issued an order to compel discovery. Rogers v. Credit Acceptance Corp., 9th

Dist. Lorain No. 11CA010141, 2013-Ohio-1097, ¶ 10. Likewise, "[p]ursuant to Civ.R. 37,

before a party or his counsel may be subject to the sanction of prohibiting his expert witness

from testifying, such person or counsel must be in default of an 'order' by the trial court."

Grady, 2005-Ohio-5550 at ¶ 17. Sanctions provided for in Civ.R. 37(B) result from a

violation of a discovery order, not merely from a discovery request. Grenga v. Bank One,

N.A., 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 04 MA 94, 2005-Ohio-4474, ¶ 23.

       {¶ 39} We find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied the

Longs' motion to exclude Dr. Wunder's testimony as a sanction for discovery violation.

Other than filing their motion to exclude Dr. Wunder's testimony, the Longs made no

attempts to informally resolve the dispute regarding production of the materials and made

no efforts to enforce their discovery rights. Specifically, the Longs did not request or

conduct a discovery deposition of Dr. Wunder to inquire about the materials he relied upon

                                            - 14 -
                                                                       Butler CA2020-11-120

in forming his opinion, did not move to have Dr. Wunder held in contempt for failing to

comply with the subpoena, did not move to compel discovery, and did not otherwise involve

the trial court in the dispute and enlist its aid in obtaining the materials. The Longs further

permitted their motion to exclude Dr. Wunder's testimony to languish from its filing on

February 28, 2020, until it was considered by the magistrate on September 21, 2020, only

three weeks before trial began. The Longs' failure to afford the trial court the opportunity to

remedy the alleged discovery violation in a timely manner precludes them from complaining

when the trial court, in its discretion, declined to exclude Dr. Wunder's testimony as a

sanction.

       {¶ 40} The Longs argue that Dr. Wunder never objected to the subpoena nor moved

to quash it on the basis of undue burden under Civ.R. 45. In response to the subpoena,

Dr. Wunder submitted his curriculum vitae, handwritten notes, records from his examination

of Jeffrey, his invoices, and financial records. Regarding the articles, texts, and other

reference materials he had consulted and relied upon in forming his opinion, Dr. Wunder's

deposition indicates his belief he had complied with the discovery request. Dr. Wunder

testified he had prepared and had his office manager send a two-page list of resources he

had used. Counsel for the Longs then notified Dr. Wunder he had not received the list.

Following Dr. Wunder's deposition, the Longs made no further attempts or efforts to resolve

the matter and obtain the requested materials and instead moved to exclude Dr. Wunder's

testimony.

       {¶ 41} The Longs cite several cases in support of their argument that the trial court

erred in failing to exclude Dr. Wunder's testimony. However, those cases all involved

situations where the expert witness expressed or sought to express new or different

opinions at trial than were disclosed prior to trial. See Cox v. MetroHealth Med. Ctr. Bd. of

Trustees, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 96848, 2012-Ohio-2383; Weimer v. Anzevino, 122 Ohio

                                             - 15 -
                                                                       Butler CA2020-11-120

App.3d 720 (7th Dist.1997); Jackson v. Booth Memorial Hosp., 47 Ohio App.3d 176 (8th

Dist.1998); Shumaker v. Oliver B. Cannon & Sons, Inc., 28 Ohio St.3d 367 (1986); Walker

v. Holland, 117 Ohio App.3d 775 (2d Dist.1997); Waste Mgt. of Ohio, Inc. v. Mid-America

Tire, Inc., 113 Ohio App.3d 529 (2d Dist.1996); Amerifirst Savings Bank of Xenia v. Krug,

136 Ohio App.3d 468 (2d Dist.1999); O'Connor v. Cleveland Clinic Found., 161 Ohio App.3d

43, 2005-Ohio-2328 (8th Dist.); and Bradford v. Callaghan, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 56310,

1989 Ohio App. LEXIS 4979 (Nov. 30, 1989). That is not the case here. Dr. Wunder's

opinion expressed at trial was identical to the opinion expressed in his reports which were

timely disclosed to the Longs. The cases above are therefore not applicable here.

       {¶ 42} In support of their argument that the trial court erred in failing to exclude Dr.

Wunder's testimony, the Longs also cite an opinion from this court, Marcus v. Rusk Heating

& Cooling, Inc., 12th Dist. Clermont No. CA2012-03-026, 2013-Ohio-528. In that case, we

held that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding an expert's opinion because

the study he relied upon was not provided to the trial court. Marcus did not involve a

discovery violation.   Rather, it involved whether the expert's opinion was scientifically

reliable under Evid.R. 702 and whether the expert should be permitted to express an expert

opinion under the standard set forth by the United States Supreme Court in Daubert v.

Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786 (1993). Marcus is

therefore not applicable.

       {¶ 43} The Longs do not identify how they were prejudiced by Dr. Wunder's

testimony. The record does not reflect and the Longs do not argue how they would have

more effectively cross-examined Dr. Wunder if the materials had been provided to them.

We note that two of the sources relied upon by Dr. Wunder, the NEXUS criteria for cervical

spine imaging and the Canadian criteria for head CT imaging, are both specifically

referenced in the ER doctor's report on March 10, 2016, the day of the accident.

                                             - 16 -
                                                                         Butler CA2020-11-120

Furthermore, the Longs fail to account for the testimony of defense expert Morr, a

biomechanical expert who offered opinions similar to those of Dr. Wunder.

       {¶ 44} The Longs' second assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶ 45} Assignment of Error No. 3:

       {¶ 46} THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY SPLITTING COSTS BETWEEN PLAINTIFF

KAREN LONG AND DEFENDANT MICHAEL HARDING.

       {¶ 47} The Longs argue that the trial court abused its discretion by splitting the costs

between Karen and Harding. The Longs assert that because Karen's loss-of-consortium

claim is derivative of Jeffrey's personal-injury claim, the trial court's order improperly

"requires him, the prevailing party, to recover half the costs from his own wife."

       {¶ 48} Civ.R. 54(D) provides in relevant part that "costs shall be allowed to the

prevailing party unless the court otherwise directs."         The Ohio Supreme Court has

recognized that although ordinarily the prevailing party will be awarded costs, Civ.R. 54(D)

is not a grant of absolute right. Nithiananthan v. Toirac, 12th Dist. Warren Nos. CA2014-

02-021, CA2014-02-028, and CA2014-08-114, 2015-Ohio-1416, ¶ 88, citing State ex rel.

Gravill v. Fuerst, 24 Ohio St.3d 12, 13 (1986). The phrase "unless the court otherwise

directs" is interpreted to grant "the court discretion to order that the prevailing party bear all

or part of his or her own costs." Vance v. Roedersheimer, 64 Ohio St.3d 552, 555, 1992-

Ohio-89. An appellate court will not reverse a trial court's allocation of costs absent an

abuse of discretion. Nithiananthan at ¶ 89.

       {¶ 49} "A prevailing party is the party 'who successfully prosecutes the action or

successfully defends against it * * * . The one in whose favor the decision or verdict is

rendered and judgment is entered.'" Gauthier v. Gauthier, 12th. Dist. Warren Nos. CA2018-

09-098 and CA2018-09-099, 2019-Ohio-4208, ¶ 64, quoting Wigglesworth v. St. Joseph

Riverside Hosp., 143 Ohio App.3d 143, 150 (11th Dist.2001).                Although "a loss of

                                              - 17 -
                                                                        Butler CA2020-11-120

consortium claim is derivative in that it is dependent upon the defendant's having committed

a legally cognizable tort upon the spouse who suffers bodily injury, it is nonetheless legally

separate and independent from the claim of the spouse who suffered the bodily injury."

Schaefer v. Allstate Ins. Co., 76 Ohio St.3d 553, 557, 1996-Ohio-368. Thus, the spouse

claiming loss of consortium must provide evidence of his or her own injury beyond his or

her spouse's injury. Richard v. Wal-Mart Discount Stores, 2d Dist. Miami No. 98 CA 48,

1999 Ohio App. LEXIS 4781, *20 (Oct. 8, 1999).

       {¶ 50} As the jury returned a verdict in favor of Harding upon Karen's loss-of-

consortium claim, she was not the prevailing party on her separate and independent claim.

The trial court, therefore, did not abuse its discretion in ordering that costs be split between

Karen and Harding.

       {¶ 51} The Longs' third assignment of error is overruled.

       {¶ 52} Judgment affirmed.

       PIPER, P.J., and BYRNE, J., concur.

                                             - 18 -