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Expanded Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Screening, Investigating and Taking the Case

I.    Importance of Good Case Selection

A.   Recovery and Settlement Chances

§1:01             Wide Range of Potential Recovery

§1:02             Most Cases Are Difficult to Settle Early

§1:03             Sexual Harassment or Abuse Cases May Settle Early

B.   Cost of Litigation

§1:10             High Financial Cost

§1:11             The Psychological Cost to Plaintiffs

§1:12             High Risk of Invasion into Plaintiff’s Life

§1:13             Emotional Cost to Plaintiff’s Attorney

II.  Differentiating Good Cases From Bad

A.   General Points

§1:20             Mental and Emotional Injury Cases Are High Risk

§1:21             Presence of a Physical Injury

§1:22             Nature of the Defendant

§1:23             Provability of the Injury

§1:24             Severity of the Stressor That Triggered the Injury

§1:25             Vulnerability of Plaintiff

§1:26             Clarity of Causation

§1:27             Venue and Law of the Jurisdiction

B.   Nature of the Tort

§1:40             Clarity of Liability Is Important

§1:41             Sexual Abuse

§1:42             Medical Negligence

§1:43             Product Liability

III. Screening Mental and Emotional Injury Cases

A.   The Initial Interview

1.     General Points

§1:50             Importance of Screening and Investigating

§1:51             Interview Should Be Time Intensive and Thorough

§1:52             Tell the Client What to Expect in the Interview

§1:53             Obtaining Information the Client May Initially “Hide”

2.     Conducting the Interview

a.     Pre-Trauma History

§1:60             Begin the History by Limiting the Description of the Trauma

§1:61             Childhood History: Age 0-18 Years

§1:62             Techniques to Obtain Childhood History

§1:63             Risks in Eliciting Early Childhood History

§1:64             Age 19 Until Just Before the Subject Trauma

b.     The Trauma

§1:70             The Subject Trauma and the Time Period Preceding It

§1:71             Single Trauma Cases

§1:72             Sexual Abuse, Discrimination and Other Similar Cases

c.     Life After the Trauma

§1:80             The First Few Months After the Trauma(s)

§1:81             Three Months From Trauma Until the Interview

d.     Conclusion of the Interview

§1:90             Closure

§1:91             Explain What May Occur During the Course of Litigation

§1:92             Clarify the Financial Aspects

§1:93             The Retainer Agreement

§1:94             Collect All Important Paperwork and Information

§1:95             If the Case Is Rejected

B.   Collateral Information and Investigation

§1:100           Obtain All Available Records ASAP

§1:101           Investigate the Defendant

§1:102           Investigate the Plaintiff

§1:103           Research the Law of the Jurisdiction

§1:104           Interview the Treating Therapist

§1:105           Send Client for a Psychological or Psychiatric Examination

§1:106           Talk to Before-and-After Witnesses

Chapter 2 Theories of Recovery for Mental and Emotional Injuries

I.    General Factors Regarding Viability of a Mental and Emotional Injury Claim

§2:01             Necessity of Determining What Damages Are Available

§2:02             Injury Flows From Physical Injury

§2:03             General Trend Is to Expand Recoverable Injuries

§2:04             Fear of Expanding Liability to Witnesses of Events

§2:05             Hesitancy to Expand to Property Damage Cases

§2:06             Courts Look to the Nature of the Wrong

§2:07             Rationales for Limiting Recovery

§2:08             The Importance of Research

II.  Tort Cases

A.   General Negligence

1.     Is a Physical Impact Required?

§2:20             Most Jurisdictions Do Not Require Physical Impact

§2:21             Liberalization of the Meaning of “Impact”

§2:22             California Rejects the Impact Rule

§2:23             Florida Generally Follows the Impact Rule

§2:24             Illinois Maintains Impact Rule for Direct Victims

§2:25             New York No Longer Follows the Impact Rule

2.     Is a Physical Injury Required?

§2:30             Most Jurisdictions Require a Physical Injury

§2:31             Physical Manifestations of Distress May Be Sufficient

§2:32             Some Courts Do Not Require a Physical Injury With Some Legal Rights

§2:33             Some Jurisdictions Have Abandoned the Physical Injury Requirement

§2:34             Some Jurisdictions Do Not Require Physical Injury if There Is “Severe Emotional Distress”

§2:35             California: Shock to the Nervous System Is a Physical Injury

§2:36             Mental and Emotional Injuries as “Parasitic” to Physical Injuries

§2:37             California Duty and Pre-Existing Relationship Analysis

§2:38             New York Generally Requires Physical Injury

3.     Bystander Liability and Zone of Danger Cases

§2:50             Jurisdictions Vary on Bystander Recovery

§2:51             Most Jurisdictions Require Plaintiff to Be in the “Zone of Danger”

§2:52             Differing Threshold Standards for Bystander Liability

4.     Requirement of Consciousness or Awareness

§2:60             General Rule: Plaintiff Must Be Conscious

§2:61             Liberalization of Consciousness Requirement

5.     Injuries for Fear of Future Consequences

§2:70             Some Courts Require Current Bodily Injury

§2:71             Some Courts Allow Recovery for Fear of Future Disease

B.   Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

§2:80             All Jurisdictions Recognize This Cause of Action

§2:81             Elements of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

§2:82             Defendant’s Conduct Must Be Intentional or Reckless

§2:83             Defendant’s Conduct Must Be Extreme and Outrageous

§2:84             Nature of Relationship Determines if Behavior Is Extreme and Outrageous

§2:85             Plaintiff Must Establish Severe Emotional Distress

C.   Medical Malpractice (Non-Psychotherapy)

§2:90             Generally Emotional Distress Damages Are Recoverable if There Is Bodily Harm

§2:91             Recovery Without an “Impact” or “Physical Injury”

§2:92             Rationale for Recovery in False Positive Misdiagnosis Cases

§2:93             Rationale for Disallowing Recovery in False Positive Diagnosis Cases

§2:94             Injuries to Fetus or Child During Pregnancy or Birth

§2:95             Wrongful Life and Wrongful Birth Cases

§2:96             Wrongful Pregnancy Cases

D.   Psychotherapy Malpractice

§2:110           Rules Similar to Malpractice of Other Healthcare Providers

§2:111           The Transference Phenomenon

§2:112           Anti-Alienation of Affection and Seduction Laws Do Not Bar Cases Against Psychotherapists

§2:113           Requirements of Physical Impact or Injury Do Not Bar Cases Against Psychotherapists

§2:114           Action by Spouse of Patient Who Becomes Sexually Involved With a Psychotherapist

§2:115           Parents’ Recovery When Psychotherapist Sexually Abuses Child

E.   Legal Malpractice

§2:120           Generally Emotional Injury Recovery Is Prohibited

§2:121           Recovery Possible When Attorney’s Conduct Is Reckless or Intentional

§2:122           Recovery Possible When Injury Is to Plaintiff’s Personal Rather Than Pecuniary Interests

F.   Fraud

§2:130           Generally Emotional Injury Recovery Not Allowed

§2:131           Situations Where Damages for Emotional Injuries Are Recoverable

G.   Aviation Accidents

1.     General Points

§2:140           Recovery Depends on Whether Flight Is Foreign or Domestic

§2:141           Domestic Flights Recovery Depends on Local Law

2.     Foreign Flights and the Warsaw Convention

§2:150           Warsaw Convention Limits and May Eliminate Damages

§2:151           Recovery for Pure Emotional Distress Is Not Allowed

§2:152           Damages for Emotional Injury Generally Allowed on Foreign Flights if Accompanied by Bodily Injury

§2:153           Some Jurisdictions Allow Emotional Distress Damages Whether or Not They Flow From Bodily Injury as Long as Bodily Injury Occurred

§2:154           Pre-Impact Terror

§2:155           Limits on Recovery for Damages That Flow From Bodily Injury or Are Caused by Impact

3.     Domestic Flights

§2:160           Prerequisites Similar to any Negligence or Intentional Tort Case

§2:161           Pre-Impact Fear Recovery Allowed by Some Courts

§2:162           Some Jurisdictions Require Physical Impact in Absence of Intentional Misconduct

§2:163           Evidentiary Approach and Consciousness Requirement

§2:164           Physical Manifestations of Harm Plus Bystander/Zone of Danger Approach

H.   Product Liability Cases

§2:170           Recovery Follows the Negligence Law of the Jurisdiction

§2:171           Direct Victim Cases

§2:172           Indirect Victims

§2:173           Bystanders Considered to Be Direct Victims

I.    Nuisance and Trespass Cases

§2:180           Emotional Injury Damages Generally Allowed

§2:181           “Quality of Life” vs. “Emotional Distress Damages”

§2:182           Fear of Future Consequences Damages

J.    Elder Abuse Cases

§2:190           Elder Laws Found Mainly in State Statutes

§2:191           Elder Law Statutes Encompass More Than Senior Citizens

§2:192           State and Federal Regulation of Nursing Homes

§2:193           Damages Survive Death

§2:194           Recovery of Attorney’s Fees and Costs

§2:195           Federal Laws Regarding Elder Abuse

§2:196           Establishing Punitive Damages in Nursing Home Cases

K.   Sexual Harassment

§2:210           Sexual Harassment Mainly Under Federal Law

§2:211           Vicarious Liability With Tangible Job Actions

§2:212           Strict Liability Standard in Tangible Job Actions

§2:213           Harassment With No Tangible Job Action

L.   Employment Discrimination

§2:220           Discrimination in the Workplace

§2:221           Disparate Treatment Discrimination

§2:222           Employer’s Burden Once Prima Facie Case Established

§2:223           Proving Pretext

§2:224           Employer’s Motive

§2:225           Disparate Impact Discrimination

§2:226           Establishing Prima Facie Case

III. Contract Claims

§2:240           Generally Emotional Injury Damages Are Not Recoverable

§2:241           Emotional Injury Damages May Be Allowed With Contracts With Inherent Emotional Value

§2:242           Tortious Breach of Contract

§2:243           Cases Involving “Personal Contracts”

§2:244           Insurer’s Breach of an Insurance Contract

IV. Property Damage Cases

§2:250           Emotional Injury Damages Generally Not Recoverable

§2:251           Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

§2:252           Death of Pets

§2:253           Family Heirlooms

V.   Wrongful Death Cases

§2:260           Some Types of Emotional Injury Damages Are Generally Recoverable

§2:261           Damages for Mental Anguish or Grief Are Generally Disallowed

VI. Survival Actions

§2:270           Generally Injuries Prior to Death Are Recoverable

§2:271           Death Must Not Be Instantaneous

VII.      Loss of Consortium Damages

§2:280           Most Jurisdictions Allow Loss of Consortium Damages

§2:281           No Recovery Unless the Injured Spouse Is Entitled to Emotional Injury Damages

§2:282           Recovery by Children for Injuries to Their Parents

§2:283           Recovery by Parents for Injuries to Children

Chapter 3 Insurance Coverage

I.    Bodily Injury Liability Policies

§3:01             No Coverage for Purely Emotional Distress Claims

§3:02             Some Courts Have Interpreted “Bodily Injury” to Include Emotional Distress Damages

II.  Coverage for Intentional Acts

§3:10             Intentional Acts Frequently Give Rise to Mental and Emotional Injury Claims

§3:11             Accident or Occurrence Policies With Intentional Act Exclusions

§3:12             Some Courts Allow Coverage of Intentional Misconduct

§3:13             Many Jurisdictions Do Not Allow Coverage for Intentional Misconduct

§3:14             Defendant Intends the Act But Not the Consequences

§3:15             Use of Foreseeability Standard in Analyzing Whether Intentional Acts Are Covered

III. Umbrella Policies

§3:20             Coverage Is Broader Than Primary Insurance

§3:21             Coverage Frequently Provided for Emotional Distress Damages

IV. Coverage for Sexual Misconduct and Harassment

§3:30             Generally No Coverage for Sexual Abuse or Molestation of a Minor

§3:31             Coverage for Sexual Assaults of Adults

§3:32             Mental and Emotional Injuries Stemming From Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Chapter 4 Retaining and Using Experts

I.    Selecting Consultants and Experts

A.   Determining if Expert Testimony Is Necessary and Advisable

§4:01             Mental Disorder vs. Garden-Variety Distress

§4:02             Expert Testimony Is Required on Some Issues

§4:03             Expert Testimony Permissible if it Assists the Trier of Fact

§4:04             Times When it Is Tactically Advisable to Call an Expert

§4:05             Plaintiff Cannot Explain His or Her Own Emotional Distress

§4:06             Plaintiff’s Behavior Must Be Explained

§4:07             Plaintiff Will Not Be Liked by the Jurors

§4:08             Plaintiff’s Credibility Is at Issue

§4:09             Retaining Psychological Expert May Open the Door to Bad Facts

§4:10             Plaintiff Claims Past Psychological Special Damages for Treatment

§4:11             Plaintiff Claims a Period of Psychological Disability up to the Time of Trial

§4:12             Plaintiff Claims the Need for Future Psychological Treatment

§4:13             Plaintiff Claims a Future Loss-of-Income or Earning Capacity

§4:14             Plaintiff has Received a Severe Physical Injury

§4:15             Cost of Retaining a Psychological Expert vs. Value Added to the Case

B.   Working With Treating Psychotherapists

§4:20             Value of an Early Meeting With the Treating Therapist

§4:21             Using Therapist as an Expert Witness

§4:22             Is the Treating Psychotherapist Willing to Be an Expert Witness?

§4:23             Advantages of Using a Treating Psychotherapist as an Expert

§4:24             Defining the Role of the Treating Therapist

§4:25             Disadvantages of Using a Treating Psychotherapist at Trial

§4:26             Retaining an Expert Witness in Addition to a Treating Therapist

C.   Choosing Among a Psychiatrist, Psychologist, or Other Psychotherapist Expert

§4:40             Different Types of Psychotherapists

§4:41             Differences Between Psychologist and Psychiatrist

§4:42             A Malpractice Case Against a Psychotherapist

§4:43             If Case Involves Psychotropic Medication, Retain a Psychiatric Expert

§4:44             Beware of Hidden Medical Issues

§4:45             Psychological Testing

§4:46             Does the Case Demand a Specialist?

§4:47             “Matching” Experts With Defendant

D.   Traumatic Brain Injury Cases

1.     Identifying Traumatic Brain Injury Cases

§4:60             Distinguish Traumatic Brain Injury Cases and Psychological Injury Cases

§4:61             Neuropsychiatrists, Neuropsychologists and Neuropsychological Testing

2.     Cases With Both Traumatic Brain Injury and a Psychological Injury

§4:70             Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury Unlikely

§4:71             Traumatic Brain Injury Can Lead to Depressive and Anxiety Disorders

§4:72             What Experts to Use With Mixed Injuries

E.   Locating Psychological Experts

§4:80             Listservs and Referrals From Attorneys

§4:81             Referrals From Other Psychological Experts

§4:82             Jury Verdict Reporting Services

§4:83             Psychological and Psychiatric Books, Articles and Treatises

§4:84             Expert Witness Directories

§4:85             Expert “Locator” Services

§4:86             Universities and Medical Schools

F.   Experts Other Than Psychological Experts

1.     General Points

§4:100           Liability Expert Adds to the Cost

§4:101           Non-Psychological Causation Experts

§4:102           Damage Experts Other Than Psychological Experts

2.     Types of Liability Experts

§4:110           Accident Cases

§4:111           Medical Malpractice Cases Against Non-Psychotherapists

§4:112           Elder Abuse/Nursing Home Malpractice Cases

§4:113           Construction Accidents

§4:114           Product Liability Cases

§4:115           Sexual Harassment and Employment Discrimination Cases

II.  Retaining Consultants and Experts

A.   Check for Conflicts

§4:120           Reveal the Names of all Potential Defendants

§4:121           Disclose the Names of the Defense Attorneys

B.   Initially Retain a Potential Expert Witness as a Consultant

§4:130           Advantages to Retaining Potential Expert Witness as a Consultant

§4:131           Strategic Reasons for Using the Qualified Work Product Protection

§4:132           Waiver of the Conditional Work Product Protection or Expert Consultants Status

§4:133           Maintaining the Work Product Privilege by Withdrawing an Expert Before Testifying

C.   Willingness, Availability, Qualifications, and Ability of an Expert

§4:140           Make Sure the Expert Is Willing to Testify

§4:141           Make Sure the Potential Expert Is Available

§4:142           Be Sure the Potential Expert Is Qualified on the Proposed Subject Matter

§4:143           Ability to Influence the Trier of Fact

§4:144           Ability to Relate to the Trier of Fact and Defense Attorney

§4:145           Know the Prior Results of the Potential Expert

§4:146           Credibility of the Potential Expert

D.   Formalizing the Retention

§4:160           Confirm Retention by Letter

§4:161           Set Out Terms of Retention in Writing

§4:162           Assume That Correspondence Will Be Seen by the Trier of Fact

E.   Timing of Retention of Experts

§4:170           Usually There Is No Legal Requirement on Timing of Retention

§4:171           Early Retention Is Usually Wise

III. Psychological Examination by Plaintiff’s Expert

§4:180           At Least One Psychological Expert Should Examine Plaintiff

§4:181           If Initial Examination Turns Out Negatively for the Case

§4:182           Strategic Reasons to Have Expert Examine Plaintiff

§4:183           No Limits on Exams by Plaintiff’s Expert

§4:184           Other Strategy Considerations

§4:185           Preparing Plaintiff for Examination

§4:186           Having More Than One Expert Examine Plaintiff

IV. Psychological Testing

§4:200           What Is Psychological Testing?

§4:201           Advantages and Disadvantages Of Testing

§4:202           When the Credibility of Plaintiff Is a Key Issue

§4:203           Have Testing Performed by a Consultant

§4:204           Psychological Testing by the Defense

§4:205           Testing Can Provide Objective Evidence of Plaintiff’s Injuries

§4:206           Testing Can Reveal a Personality Disorder, Which Is Not Helpful

§4:207           Testing Usually Not Helpful on Causation Issues

§4:208           Retain Psychologist to Rebut Defense Psychologist

§4:209           Retain a Psychologist Consultant to Prepare Cross-Exam of Defense Psychologist

V.   Recognizing and Avoiding Common Pitfalls

A.   Avoid Spending Too Much Money

§4:220           The Snowball Theory of Expert Expenses

§4:221           Retain Just One Psychological Expert

§4:222           If Two Psychological Experts Are Needed

§4:223           Instruct Expert to Limit or Avoid Review of Records Until Further Notice

§4:224           Avoid Hiring Both a Consultant and an Expert Witness for Trial

§4:225           Rein in Expert’s Billing

B.   Dangers With Psychological Experts

§4:230           Avoid Obtaining Discoverable Reports From Psychological Experts

§4:231           Contents of a Detailed Psychological Report

§4:232           Requirements of a Psychological Report and Alternatives

§4:233           Plaintiff Can Keep Report Confidential by Leaving Expert in Consultant Role

§4:234           State Jurisdictional Requirements of Providing Reports to the Defense

§4:235           Federal Jurisdictional Requirements of Providing Reports to the Defense

§4:236           Danger of Psychological Reports

§4:237           Psychological Reports Rarely Lead to Early Settlement

§4:238           Cases in Which Plaintiff Insists on an Early Settlement

§4:239           Obtaining Reports in Cases With an Unsavory Plaintiff

§4:240           Deposition Testimony Is Preferable to Psychological Report

C.   Give Psychological Expert All Relevant Documents

§4:250           Providing All Documents Is Expensive but Necessary

§4:251           Risks in Sending Partial Documents

§4:252           Sometimes Even Liability Depositions Have to Be Sent

§4:253           More Information Must Be Provided as the Case Progresses

D.   Rein in the Scope of Testimony

§4:260           Do Not Let Psychological Expert Overreach

§4:261           The “Stressor” Requirement Must Be Met for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

§4:262           Limit Opinion on Psychiatric Issues Like Medicine and Medical Disease

§4:263           Limit Opinions on Psychological Test Protocols and Assessments

E.   Have Psychological Experts Speak to Collateral Witnesses

§4:270           Expert Can Rely on Hearsay

§4:271           Collateral Witnesses Give Expert Additional Information

VI. Using Psychological Experts for Purposes Other Than Trial Testimony

A.   Standard of Care and Credibility of Plaintiff

§4:280           Malpractice Case Standard of Care

§4:281           Plaintiff Attorney Questions Plaintiff’s Credibility

B.   Help Develop and Understand Key Issues

§4:290           Help Explain Causation

§4:291           Help Understand Difficult Damages Issues

C.   Help Contain Plaintiff’s Litigation Stress

§4:300           Expert Can Be an Adjunct to the Treating Therapist

§4:301           Expert Can Keep Plaintiff Attorney Out of a “Therapist’s” Role

§4:302           Expert May Explain the Dynamics of Litigation to Plaintiff

D.   Help Prepare Plaintiff for Testimony

§4:310           Help Plaintiff Overcome Anger

§4:311           Help Plaintiff Let Guard Down to Show Psychological Stress

E.   Help Prepare Discovery Responses and Requests

§4:320           Expert Can Help Supply Answers on Special Interrogatory Requests

§4:321           Expert Can Advise on Damages for Interrogatory Answers

§4:322           Expert May Be Knowledgeable About Pre-Existing Incidents

§4:323           Expert May Help Propound Discovery to the Defense

F.   Summary Judgment Motions

§4:330           Declarations in State Procedures

§4:331           Declarations in Federal Procedure

Chapter 5 Initiating the Action and Pleadings

I.    Early Settlement Considerations

§5:01             Cases Difficult to Settle Early

§5:02             Cases With Potential for Early Settlement

§5:03             Tolling Agreements for the Statute of Limitations

§5:04             Sample Tolling Agreement

II.  Pre-Suit Procedures and Requirements

§5:10             Generally

§5:11             Cases Against Government Entities

§5:12             Employment Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Cases

§5:13             Mandatory Arbitration Agreements

§5:14             Medical Malpractice Cases

III. Drafting a Complaint

A.   General Considerations

§5:20             Choice of Venue

§5:21             Notice vs. Fact Pleading

§5:22             Research in Anticipation of Complaint

§5:23             Causes of Action That Lead to Attorney’s Fees

§5:24             Punitive Damages

§5:25             Pleading the Case into Insurance Coverage

§5:26             Pleading Around the Statute of Limitations

§5:27             “Doe” Plaintiff Designations

B.   Sample Allegations and Comments

§5:40             General Points and Disclaimer

§5:41             Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress Zone-of-Danger

§5:42             Negligence With an “Impact” Requirement

§5:43             Negligent Supervision of a Child by a Parent

§5:44             Negligent Supervision by a School

§5:45             Action for Assault With Respondeat Superior Allegations Against Principal

§5:46             Action for Battery With Respondeat Superior Allegations Against Principal

§5:47             Action for Premises Liability Against Business for Sexual Assault

§5:48             Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Weight-Loss Center Intentionally Misrepresenting Nature of Diet Pills

§5:49             Psychotherapist-Patient Sexual Abuse: Professional Negligence and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

§5:50             Sexual Harassment/Gender Discrimination: California Law

§5:51             Elder Abuse Complaint Against a Nursing Home

Chapter 6 Written Discovery

I.    General Points

§6:01             Scope of Chapter

§6:02             Discovery Rules Are Not Uniform

II.  Planning Discovery

A.   General Planning

§6:10             Plan Sequence and Coordination of Discovery

§6:11             Establish the Elements of Mental and Emotional Injury

§6:12             Discover Defendant’s Positions and Pin Down Facts

§6:13             Avoid Being Pinned Down Too Early to Facts and Events

§6:14             The Extent of Emotional Distress Affects the Discovery Plan

B.   Discovery Plans in Specific Situations

§6:20             Dealing With a Statute of Limitations Defense

§6:21             Plaintiff Has a History of Spousal Abuse

§6:22             Previous Psychological Symptomatology

III. Early Meetings and Disclosures

A.   Pretrial Conferences

§6:30             Conference Requirement

§6:31             Judicial Modification of Requirements

§6:32             Stipulations to Modify Requirements

§6:33             Timing of Early Conferences

§6:34             Telephone Conference Sufficient

§6:35             Required Topics

B.   Federal Mandatory Discovery Plan

§6:40             Timing

§6:41             Contents

C.   Early Disclosure Requirements

§6:50             Documents

§6:51             Witnesses

§6:52             Expert Witnesses

§6:53             Computations of Damages

§6:54             Duty to Supplement

§6:55             Penalties for Nondisclosure

§6:56             Early Disclosures as Disadvantage to Plaintiffs

D.   Mandatory Disclosures Near Time of Trial

§6:70             Timing

§6:71             Content

§6:72             Objections and Waivers

IV. Tools of Formal Discovery

A.   Interrogatories

1.     General Points

§6:80             Definition of an Interrogatory

§6:81             Advantages of Interrogatories

§6:82             Disadvantages of Interrogatories

§6:83             Limitations on Interrogatories

§6:84             Permissible Subject Matter

§6:85             Response Requirements

§6:86             Enforcing Procedural Requirements

2.     Propounding Interrogatories

§6:90             Contention Interrogatories

§6:91             Causation and Damage Interrogatories

3.     Answering Interrogatories

§6:100           General Points

§6:101           Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

§6:102           Requirements for “Physical Impact” or “Physical Injuries”

§6:103           Limit Claims to Limit Discovery

§6:104           Limit Responses to Past Emotional Distress

§6:105           Mental Disorder Claims

B.   Requests for Admissions

1.     General Points

§6:110           Purpose and Authority

§6:111           Permissible Subject Matter

§6:112           Advantages

§6:113           Disadvantages

2.     Propounding Requests for Admission

§6:120           Sample Requests

§6:121           May Get an Admission or Attorney Fees

3.     Responding to Requests for Admission

§6:130           Timeliness and Failure to Respond

§6:131           Responder Can Admit, Deny, or Object

§6:132           Objections

§6:133           Importance of Responding Carefully

4.     Enforcing Requests for Admission

§6:140           Failure to Timely Respond

§6:141           Inadequate Responses

§6:142           Amendment or Withdrawal of Response

§6:143           Failing to Admit a Matter Later Proved at Trial

C.   Requests for Production of Documents and Things

1.     General Points

§6:150           Production Available From Non-Parties

§6:151           Two Methods: With or Without a Deposition Notice

§6:152           Advantages to Request Without Deposition

§6:153           Disadvantages to Request Without Deposition

2.     Production From Parties

§6:160           Scope of Request

§6:161           Importance of Obtaining Documents From Defendant

3.     Production From Nonparties

§6:170           Subpoena Required to Obtain Production From Nonparties

§6:171           Same Deadlines for Subpoena as for Request for Production

§6:172           Requesting Party May Have to Pay Costs of Production

§6:173           Importance of Discovery From Nonparties

§6:174           Objecting to a Subpoena to a Third Party

4.     Responding to Requests for Production

§6:180           Response Deadline

§6:181           Necessary Contents of a Response

§6:182           What Documents Must Be Produced

§6:183           Manner of Production

§6:184           Object to Requests for Privileged or Irrelevant Documents

§6:185           Withholding Privileged Documents

5.     Enforcing Requests for Production

§6:190           Failure to Timely Respond

§6:191           Failure to Respond At All

§6:192           Inadequate Response

V.   Expert Witness Disclosure Requirements

A.   Timing of Expert Disclosures

§6:200           Disclosure Due 90 Days Before Trial

§6:201           Disclosure Is in Early Disclosure Requirements

§6:202           Early Disclosure Requires Early Retention of Experts

§6:203           Supplemental Disclosure

§6:204           Cannot Add New Experts Later

B.   Which Experts Must Be Identified

§6:210           Any Expert Who Will Give Opinion Testimony at Trial

§6:211           Rebuttal Experts

§6:212           Consultants

§6:213           Re-Designation of a Testifying Expert to a Consultant

C.   Duty to Create Reports

§6:220           Report Requirement

§6:221           Treating Physicians Do Not Have to Provide Reports

§6:222           Report Must Be in Writing and Prepared by the Expert

§6:223           Content Requirements

§6:224           Harmful Data Must Be Revealed

§6:225           Report Does Not Limit Cross-Examination

D.   Enforcing Disclosure and Report Requirements

§6:230           Inadequate Content

§6:231           Inaccurate Content

§6:232           Total Failure to Disclose

Chapter 7 Depositions

I.    Overview & Procedural Aspects

A.   General Points

§7:01             Deposition Defined

§7:02             Importance of Depositions

§7:03             Most Jurisdictions Have Similar Procedures

§7:04             Any Person May Be Deposed