NEW YORK COUNTY LAWYERS ASSOCIATION DAY OF EVIDENCE 2010 EVIDENCE TO WIN: PLAINTIFF’S EVIDENCE MANUAL (Abridged Edition) By Sherri Sonin and Robert J. Genis TABLE OF CONTENTS Key Statutes…………………………………………............................ 9 Subpoenas……………………………………………………… 12 Non-Party Records……………………………………. 13 What are Records………………………………………. ………………. 15 Statute of Frauds……………………………………….. ………………. 17 Documentary Evidence (or not)……………………… ………………. 17 Objections………………………………………………………………. 20 Certification……………………………………………. ………………. 21 CPLR 3122-a…………………………………… ………………. 21 CPLR 4518…………………………………………………….. 23 Judicial Notice………………………………………….. ……………… 25 Injuries…………………………………………. ……………… 26 Governmental Websites……………………… ………………. 27 E-Evidence……………………………………………. ……………….29 Hearsay…………………………………………………………………. 32 Admissions……………………………………………. ………………. 37 1 Judicial Admissions………………………………….. ………………..38 Ownership of Vehicle…………………………………………. 39 Interviewing Party Employees…………………………………………. 40 Speaking Authority…………………………………………………….. 43 Privilege………………………………………………………………… 44 Dead Man’s Statute…………………………………………………….. 45 Adverse Witness………………………………………. ………………. 47 Cross-Examination …………………………………….. ……………… 48 Prior Bad Acts………………………………………….. ……………… 54 Agency………………………………………………….. …………….. 54 Excited Utterance………………………………………. ……………...54 State of Mind…………………………………………………………… 56 Past Recollection Recorded & Present Sense Impression……… ……… 57 Rebut Recent Fabrication……………………………………… ……… 58 Circumstantial Evidence……………………………………………….. 59 Accident Reports………………………………………………. ………68 Police Reports………………………………………………………….. 73 Internal Rules…………………………………………………………… 77 Administrative Findings………………………………………………..77 Collateral Estoppel/Res Judicata………………………………………. 80 Admissibility of Medical Records and Reports ………………………. 83 Hospital Records………………………………………………. 85 Physicians’ Records…………………………………………… 86 Other Doctors’ Reports………………………………… 87 Radiology Reports……………………………………………… 90 Wagman……………………………………………….. 94 2 CPLR 4532-a………………………………………….101 Psychiatrists……………………………………………………102 Foundation…………………………………………………….104 Who can lay Foundation……………………………………...104 Subpoenas…………………………………………….. 106 Certification……………………………………………. 108 Practice Tips……………………………………………. 109 Just Say “NO” – Keeping Out References to Alcohol, Drugs and Inconsistent Histories in Hospital Records ………………………………………………………… 113 History Must relate to Diagnosis & Treatment……………….. 113 Inconsistent History……………………………………. 114 Pre-Existing Conditions……………………………………….. 118 Foundation…………………………………………………….. 119 Alcohol & Drugs………………………………………………. 121 Blood Tests……………………………………………. 121 Alcohol On Breath…………………………………….. 125 Drinking……………………………………………….. 126 Prior Intoxication………………………………………. 128 Substance Abuse Treatment…………………………… 129 Child Abuse……………………………………………. 132 Expert Testimony………………………………………………. 133 Party Statements……………………………………………….. 135 Psychiatric History…………………………………………….. 136 Treating Doctor as an Expert Witness…………………………………. 138 Disclosure……………………………………………………… 138 3 No Report Served……………………………………………… 142 Recent Examination…………………………………………… 144 Doctor is Not limited to their Specialty………………………………… 149 Proof of Damages Without Expert Testimony …………… …………. 154 Emotional Injuries……………………………………………… 157 Verdict Sheet…………………………………………………… 159 Loss of Earnings ………………………………………………………. 159 Infants………………………………………………………….. 160 Adults………………………………………………………….. 160 Experts…………………………………………………………. 161 Problem Clients………………………………………………… 163 Undocumented Aliens…………………………………………. 166 Federal Courts in accord……………………………… 178 Inflation………………………………………………………… 184 Expert Witnesses……………………………………………………….. 187 Is an Expert Required………………………………………….. 187 Malpractice……………………………………………. 188 Medical Opinions……………………………………… 188 Premises Cases…………………………………………189 Custom, Practice & Standards………………………………… 190 Internal Guidelines…………………………………………….. 192 Authoritative Texts, Scientific Studies………………………… 193 Economist………………………………………………………. 194 Is an Expert Permitted…………………………………………. 195 Is an Expert Needed……………………………………………. 195 4 Who can be an Expert…………………………………………. 196 Selecting an Expert…………………………………………….. 197 “Neutral” Expert………………………………………. 197 Defendant as Plaintiff’s Expert………………………. 198 Examining Doctors …………………………………… 201 Adverse Examining Doctor…………………………… 201 Expert Cannot be Cross-Examined on CPLR 3101(d) Disclosure……………………. ………………. 202 No Expert disclosure for Treating Doctor……………………. 202 Limits on Defense Experts…………………………………….. 202 Foundation……………………………………… ………………. 204 Credentials…………………………………………………….. 205 Magic Words…………………………………………………… 205 Cross-Examination……………………………………………… 207 Frye/Daubert……………………………………………………………. 209 Necessity to Object…………………………………………….. 211 Basis of Objection……………………………………………… 211 Timing of Objection…………………………………………… 214 Burden of Movant……………………………………………… 215 Burden of Opposition…………………………………………. 217 Avoidance of Hearing………………………………… ……… 219 Standard of Review……………………………………………. 220 Discretion………………………………………………………. 222 Preclusion Bio-Mechanical Expert……………………………. 224 Demonstrative Evidence……………………………………................ 229 Exhibiting Plaintiff’s Injuries…………………………………. 230 5 Objects…………………………………………………………. 232 Photographs……………………………………………………. 232 Similarlity………………………………………………. 233 Limitations…………………………………………….. 235 Photographs of Injuries……………………………….. 235 Photographs of Treatment…………………………….237 Photographs of Decedent……………………………...238 Foundation…………………………………………….. 239 Scene or Instrumentality………………………………. 239 Photographs Establish Constructive Notice………….. 241 Diagrams……………………………………………………….. 245 Charts…………………………………………………………… 246 Internal Guidelines…………………………………………….. 247 Maps……………………………………………………………. 247 Models & Exhibits…………………………………………….. 248 Enlargements……………………………………………. ……….249 Videotapes & Movies…………………………………… ……… 250 Surveillance…………………………………………… 252 Audiotapes………………………………………………. ……… 255 “911”…………………………………………………… 256 Police Radio Calls…………………………………….. 256 Computer Animations…………………………………………. 256 Black Box……………………………………………………… 257 Experiments……………………………………………………. 261 Trivial Defects………………………………………………………….. 263 Open & Obvious……………………………………………………….. 264 6 Recurring Condition……………………………………………………. 265 Sidewalks……………………………………………………………….. 267 Proof of Prior Written Notice in Sidewalk Defect Cases………. 267 Big Apple Map………………………………………… 268 Foundation…………………………………………….. 268 Cause & Create…………………………………………………271 Inadmissibility of City Policies Re: Repairs…………………………… 272 Admin. Code & D.O.T. Rules & Regs………………………………… 273 Subsequent Remedial Measures……….. ………………………………… 275 Ownership……………………………………………………… 277 Existence of a Defective Condition…………………………… 278 Subsequent Modification orderd prior to incident…………… 279 Feasibility of Repair…………………………………………… 280 Defective Design………………………………………………. 280 Impeachment…………………………………………………… 280 Former Testimony………………………………………………………. 281 50-H……………………………………………………………. 281 EBT…………………………………………………………….. 282 Trial…………………………………………………………….. 284 Proof of Unavailability………………………………………… 286 Illness………………………………………………….. 286 Medical Doctor Testimony……………………………………. 287 Other Issues…………………………………………………. … 287 Frye Hearing…………………………………………………… 292 Insurance Coverage……………………………………………………. 293 Res Ipsa Loquitur……………………………………………………… 295 7 Habit…………………………………………………………………….. 302 Conduct of Trial……………………………………………………….. 304 Missing Witness Charge………………………………………………… .310 Inapplicability to Plaintiff’s Non-Testifying treating Doctor …. 310 Cumulative……………………………………………. 310 Control………………………………………………… 312 Non-Medical Witnesses………………………………. 312 Missing documents……………………………………. 313 Applicability to Defendant’s Examining Doctor………………. 314 Defendant……………………………………………… 317 Voir Dire…………………………………………………………….319 E-Trials………………………………………………………………319 Biographies of Authors………………………………………………… 321 © 2010 SONIN & GENIS 8 Key Statutes By Sherri Sonin and Robert J. Genis • CPLR 104 – Construction – liberally construed to secure the just, speedy and inexpensive determination • CPLR 2001 – at any stage of an action, the court may permit a mistake, omission, defect or irregularity to be corrected • CPLR 2004 – the court may extend the time fixed by any statute • CPLR 2005 – law office failure • CPLR 3117 – use of deposition • New statute CPLR § 3119. Uniform interstate depositions and discovery • Gen. Mun. Law 50-h – use of hearing transcript • CPLR 3123 – Notice to Admit • CPLR 3122-a – certification of business records • CPLR 4511 – judicial notice of law • CPLR 4512 – competency of interested witness or spouse • CPLR 4513 – competency of person convicted of crime • CPLR 4514 - impeachment by prior inconsistent statement 9 • CPLR 4515 - form of expert opinion • CPLR 4516 – proof of age of child • CPLR 4517 – prior testimony in a civil action • CPLR 4518 – business records • CPLR 4519 – Dead Man’s statute (and mentally ill) • CPLR 4520 - certificate or affidavit of public officer • CPLR 4522 – maps & surveys • CPLR 4523 – search by title/abstract company • CPLR 4524 – conveyance of real property without the state • CPLR 4525 – copies of UCC statements • CPLR 4526 – marriage certificate • CPLR 4527 – death or status of missing person • CPLR 4528 – weather records • CPLR 4529 – inspection certificate USDA • CPLR 4530 – certificate of population • CPLR 4531 – affidavit of posting notice unavailable person • CPLR 4532 – self-authentication of newspapers • CPLR 4532-a – admissibility of graphic, numerical, symbolic or pictorial representations of medical or diagnostic tests • CPLR 4533 – market reports • CPLR 4533-a – prima facie proof of damages bills/invoice