Medical Exhibits

What happens when Fox-AE and Sach Oliver work together?

In recent months, Sach Oliver received a $140 million verdict for contested wrongful death, a $25 million settlement, and ANOTHER CASE****. Let’s dive into Sach’s strategic use of graphics when combating defense motions to exclude:

The illustrations depicted above and below were included in the doctor’s medical reports, Sach’s keynote presentation, and/or poster boards.

Defense filed multiple motions to throw out the illustrations. Below is a shortened statement of the defense council in one of the omnibus motion documents.

It is anticipated that Plaintiffs will attempt to display or introduce as evidence certain animated images which attempt to depict injuries sustained by Heather Crosby. (Exhibit C hereto, Animated Images, filed under seal.)

These images are found in the visual aids discussed in subheading one of this motion, and any probative value that these images may offer would be substantially outweighed by their prejudicial effect to Defendants, and as such, they should be excluded. (Fed. R. Evid. 403).

These images are attempted recreations of the alleged injuries to Mrs. Crosby’s leg, arm, and pelvis, and in no way contain actual images of Mrs. Crosby or her alleged injuries. Rather, these images are inaccurate medical diagrams which attempt to emulate Mrs. Crosby’s condition and surgical procedures, and as such, would be extremely prejudicial to Defendants if allowed.

Further, these images should be excluded pursuant to Fed. R. Evid 403, because, if allowed, these images would confuse the injuries and mislead the jury. Plaintiffs have medical experts who will testify regarding Mrs. Crosby’s condition and injuries she sustained as a result of the wreck. This anticipated testimony will provide the jury with the necessary information regarding Mrs. Crosby’s injuries and condition and the medical experts can accurately explain the surgical procedures experienced by Mrs. Crosby. Again, the images in the visual aids do not contain accurate photos of Mrs. Crosby or her injuries and condition; instead, they contain, for example, exaggerated facial expressions of pain clearly meant to mislead the jury. Allowing these visual aids would confuse the issues, namely the actual injuries and condition of Mrs. Crosby, and mislead the jury. These images should be excluded pursuant to Fed. R. Evid. 403.

Plaintiffs Response

Defendants specify in their Sealed Exhibit “C” professionally generated medical illustrations they seek to exclude on the unsupported assertion that the images are “inaccurate.” This is not true. As noted in Plaintiffs’ Response to #9(c), supra, the medical illustrations in this case are professionally generated, properly disclosed, and will be authenticated as accurate by Dr. Shawn Smith who will testify live in this case.

Defendants offer no expert testimony to support their bald assertion of inaccuracy. That is because Defendants have no expert testimony to that effect. This does not chin the bar for excluding evidence that aids the jury in understating the damages suffered by Heather Crosby and the treatment she received. See Bradshaw v. FFE Transp. Servs., Inc., No. 12-1383, No. 12-2151 (8th Cir. Jun 0,3, 2013), page 8. Medical illustrations of this nature have been used regularly in cases involving injuries like this one. They are helpful to the jury and to the expert medical witness in explaining physical injuries and treatment required. Under Bradshaw, these illustrations should be allowed and the motion denied.

All the illustrations were allowed and the motions were denied. Each illustration was approved by the corresponding experts who stated they accurately depicted the injuries and procedures performed on the plaintiff. The final settlement resulted in $25 million.

Working with Sach and his team was nothing short of phenomenal. Impactful storytelling starts with skilled attorneys like Sach, and Fox-AE is dedicated to amplifying those stories in visually compelling ways.

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Fox Animation Engineering - Industry Leader for Legal Graphics

Fox Animation Engineering - Industry Leader for Legal Graphics

The overwhelming satisfaction of our clients is living proof that we’re the best in the business for animated engineering. Ultimately, we’re here to streamline the information transfer process from you to the jury. No matter the kind of injury or the circumstances surrounding the incident, we can render a compelling representation that will leave your audience stunned. 

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