NEW YORK COUNTY LAWYERS ASSOCIATION

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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