Court Opinion

ID: 9531305
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:09:36.611877+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:28:24.677354
License: Public Domain

HENDLEY, Judge (specially concurring). I concur in the majority result. Under plaintiff’s first point I would add that the trial court ordered defendants to pay for Doctor Feagler’s deposition. Under defendants’ cross-appeal I would add that Doctor Palafox’ report unequivocally stated that “past history revealed the patient had never had any previous back injuries.” Thus, Doctor Palafox had no knowledge whatsoever about plaintiff’s prior back injury. Therefore, the predicate to his expert opinion was missing. City of Albuquerque v. Chapman, 76 N.M. 162, 413 P.2d 204 (1966). Lastly, the exception to the general rule of those who accept the benefits of an award may not appeal is found in State v. Jemez Land Co., 30 N.M. 24, 226 P. 890 (1924), which holds that where there is no possibility that the appeal may lead to a result whereby the appellant may recover less than has been received under the judgment appealed from, the right to appeal is unimpaired. The exception is inapplicable here since plaintiff asks for a new trial at which he may recover nothing. Our holding is another exception to the general rule and is based on policy considerations.