{ "id": 1172445, "name": "ANTHONY ABBINANTE et al., Plaintiffs, v. KEVIN O'CONNELL, Defendant-Appellant (Vanessa Abbinante, Plaintiff-Appellee)", "name_abbreviation": "Abbinante v. O'Connell", "decision_date": "1996-02-21", "docket_number": "No. 3-95-0450", "first_page": "1046", "last_page": "1052", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "277 Ill. App. 3d 1046" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "347 N.E.2d 320", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "37 Ill. App. 3d 763", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2717353 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/37/0763-01" ] }, { "cite": "648 N.E.2d 617", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "271 Ill. 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Rev.", "year": 1978, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "438 N.E.2d 152", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "91 Ill. 2d 375", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 3091790 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/91/0375-01" ] }, { "cite": "611 N.E.2d 1113", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1119" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "243 Ill. App. 3d 259", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5109417 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "267-68" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/243/0259-01" ] }, { "cite": "602 N.E.2d 1288", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1295" }, { "page": "1295" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "236 Ill. App. 3d 175", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5783074 ], "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "185" }, { "page": "185" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/236/0175-01" ] }, { "cite": "588 N.E.2d 1126", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1131" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "146 Ill. 2d 413", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 2d", "case_ids": [ 5597251 ], "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "421" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-2d/146/0413-01" ] }, { "cite": "631 N.E.2d 1269", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 4, "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1277-79" }, { "page": "1279" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "260 Ill. App. 3d 925", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 2864479 ], "weight": 4, "year": 1995, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "936-38" }, { "page": "938" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/260/0925-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 676, "char_count": 13944, "ocr_confidence": 0.757, "pagerank": { "raw": 9.019436554359751e-08, "percentile": 0.5037361251563315 }, "sha256": "50ec847ce2604d5b621224a6a05983fb5c8373e0b441e1e4f156c5062e914652", "simhash": "1:0b2f842e75676dd4", "word_count": 2244 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:03:41.906832+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "ANTHONY ABBINANTE et al., Plaintiffs, v. KEVIN O\u2019CONNELL, Defendant-Appellant (Vanessa Abbinante, Plaintiff-Appellee)." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "PRESIDING JUSTICE BRESLIN\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nThe defendant, Kevin O\u2019Connell, appeals from the judgment entered on a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiff, Vanessa Abbinante, in a personal injury suit. The defendant claims that the trial court erred in preventing his expert witness from testifying about axial loading as it related to the plaintiff\u2019s injuries. He also claims that the trial court abused its discretion by using a non-Illinois Pattern Jury Instruction (IPI) that substituted loss of a normal life as an element of damages for the IPI disability instruction. We hold that the defendant\u2019s failure to make an offer of proof regarding his expert\u2019s axial loading testimony resulted in the waiver of that issue. We also hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by using the non-IPI loss-of-normal-life jury instruction. We therefore affirm the trial court\u2019s ruling on both issues.\nThis case arises out of an accident in which an automobile driven by Kevin O\u2019Connell struck 17-year-old Vanessa Abbinante while she was walking on a sidewalk. In his answer to Vanessa\u2019s complaint, Kevin admitted liability but contested the amount of damages. The court held a jury trial on the issue of damages.\nIn addition to her other injuries, Vanessa demonstrated her abnormal spinal curvature to the jury, both in person and by pictures. She testified that she participated in volleyball, basketball, softball and jogging prior to her injuries. As a result of her injuries, however, she could no longer run or participate in any exercise that involves swinging her arms. Vanessa also experienced difficulty sitting and sleeping. She stated that she had to quit her job as a waitress because she could not carry the trays or stand on her feet for long periods of time. Further, she had to reduce her hours as a hairdresser because she had difficulty holding up her arms.\nVanessa\u2019s expert witness testified at trial that although Vanessa\u2019s spine had compensated for her back injuries, which has allowed her to stand erectly, she will suffer further complications and pain in the future. According to this witness, compensation causes increased stress and force on the vertebral body and creates an imbalance in the spine. He recommended that she undergo corrective surgery in order to prevent further curvature of her spine.\nSimilarly, Vanessa presented a videotaped deposition of a physician who had treated her. This physician testified that her activities will be permanently limited due to her injury. In addition, Vanessa\u2019s spine is now rigid, allowing her to bend back only 50 degrees, and she has already developed early degenerative arthritis in her lumbar spine. Further spinal changes or degeneration may cause projection into the spinal canal.\nVanessa also presented a videotaped deposition of an obstetrician and gynecologist, who testified that Vanessa would experience problems associated with pregnancy, labor and delivery.\nKevin\u2019s expert witness, Dr. Robert Hall, testified in his deposition that although Vanessa suffered spinal injuries resulting in increased curvature, her spine was relatively normal because it had naturally compensated for the injury. Due to the compensation, the increased curvature in Vanessa\u2019s spine was not likely to cause her any pain and did not increase the risk of additional spinal problems.\nAt trial, Dr. Hall essentially repeated his deposition testimony. In addition, the following exchange took place during the direct examination of Dr. Hall:\n\"Q. Now, Doctor, are your [szc] familiar with the term axial pressure?\nA. Axial loading?\nQ. Axial loading?\nA. Yes.\nQ. What does that refer to?\nA. Axial loading refers to essentially a compression force or something pushing together.\nQ. How does that apply to the spine?\nA. Well, axial loading is a \u2014 .\u201d\nAt this point in the exchange, Vanessa\u2019s attorney objected, claiming that any opinion on axial loading constituted a new opinion not disclosed in discovery. When the trial court asked what Dr. Hall would say in response to the axial loading questions, Kevin\u2019s attorney stated that he thought Dr. Hall would testify about the basis for his opinion that Vanessa\u2019s spine was well compensated. However, Kevin\u2019s attorney did not specifically state what Dr. Hall\u2019s testimony on this issue would be. Kevin\u2019s attorney also admitted that Dr. Hall had not testified about axial loading at his deposition despite the fact that he was asked to disclose all of his opinions. The trial court then sustained Vanessa\u2019s objection.\nKevin also presented the testimony of Dr. James Meserow, an obstetrician and gynecologist. According to Dr. Meserow, Vanessa would not experience any future problems with pregnancy, labor or delivery as a result of her injuries.\nBefore the jury was selected, the trial court advised the parties that in Smith v. City of Evanston (1994), 260 Ill. App. 3d 925, 631 N.E.2d 1269, the first district held that jury instructions should be modified by using loss of a normal life as an element of damages rather than the IPI approved disability instruction. (See Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Civil, No. 30.04 (3d ed. 1995).) At the conclusion of the trial, the court gave the loss-of-normal-life instruction over Kevin\u2019s objection. The court\u2019s instruction defined loss of normal life as \"a person\u2019s diminished ability to enjoy life that the person has experienced which includes a person\u2019s temporary or permanent inability to pursue the pleasurable aspects of life, such as recreation or hobbies.\u201d\nThe jury returned an itemized verdict for Vanessa in the following amounts:\nLoss of normal life: $335,000\nDisfigurement: $100,000\nPain and suffering: $240,000\nMedical expenses (past and future): $ 85,000\nTOTAL $750,000.\nKevin then filed a motion for a new trial, alleging that the court erred in precluding Dr. Hall\u2019s testimony on axial loading and in giving the jury the non-IPI instruction on loss of normal life. The trial court denied the motion and Kevin appeals.\nThe first issue raised by Kevin is whether the trial court erred in excluding Dr. Hall\u2019s axial loading testimony.\nIt is well recognized in Illinois that when evidence is excluded, the failure to make an adequate offer of proof in the trial court results in the waiver of the issue on appeal. (People v. Andrews (1992), 146 Ill. 2d 413, 588 N.E.2d 1126.) An offer of proof is adequate if the attorney spells out the witness\u2019 anticipated testimony with particularity. Andrews, 146 Ill. 2d at 421, 588 N.E.2d at 1131.\nAt trial, when Vanessa\u2019s attorney objected to Dr. Hall\u2019s axial loading testimony, Kevin\u2019s attorney told the court that he thought Dr. Hall\u2019s axial loading testimony would relate to the basis for the doctor\u2019s opinion that Vanessa\u2019s spine was well compensated. We hold that his explanation of Dr. Hall\u2019s proposed testimony is not specific enough to preserve the issue on appeal.\nRelying on People v. Allison (1992), 236 Ill. App. 3d 175, 602 N.E.2d 1288, Kevin argues that an informal offer of proof, where counsel summarizes what the proposed evidence or testimony will show, may be sufficient to preserve an erroneous evidentiary ruling for review. However, the Allison court held that an informal offer of proof is sufficient only if it is specific in nature and not based merely on speculation or conjecture. (Allison, 236 Ill. App. 3d at 185, 602 N.E.2d at 1295.) Since Kevin\u2019s attorney had to speculate as to what Dr. Hall\u2019s testimony on this issue would be, the proper way to preserve the issue for review was to formally offer the testimony in a question-and-answer manner outside the presence of the jury. (See Allison, 236 Ill. App. 3d at 185, 602 N.E.2d at 1295.) His failure to make a formal offer of proof resulted in the waiver of this issue.\nSecond, Kevin argues that the trial court erred in substituting the loss-of-a-normal-life instruction for the IPI disability instruction.\nA trial court\u2019s determination as to the instructions to be given to the jury will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. (Dab- ros v. Wang (1993), 243 Ill. App. 3d 259, 611 N.E.2d 1113.) A trial court abuses its discretion if jury instructions are not clear enough to avoid misleading the jury or if the jury instructions do not accurately state the applicable law. (Dabros, 243 Ill. App. 3d at 267-68, 611 N.E.2d at 1119.) According to Supreme Court Rule 239(a), IPI instructions should be used wherever they accurately state the law applicable in a case. (134 Ill. 2d R. 239(a).) An instruction that allows the plaintiff to recover duplicate or overlapping damages is erroneous. Powers v. Illinois Central Gulf R.R. Co. (1982), 91 Ill. 2d 375, 438 N.E.2d 152.\nIn the instant case, the trial court relied on Smith v. City of Evanston (1994), 260 Ill. App. 3d 925, 631 N.E.2d 1269, to substitute loss of normal life for the IPI disability instruction. In Smith, the plaintiff presented evidence that prior to being injured, she was very active and enjoyed biking, camping, hiking and playing tennis. As a result of her injuries, however, the plaintiff had to curtail her activities and could no longer play tennis or go camping. The jury returned an itemized verdict for the plaintiff but awarded her no damages for disability. The trial court found that the jury misunderstood the legal meaning of disability and granted the plaintiff a new trial on the issue of damages.\nOn review, the appellate court discussed the history of damage instructions and concluded that the IPI disability instruction is frequently misunderstood by juries and may lead to duplicative recovery. Citing an article by Michael Graham entitled Pattern Jury Instructions: The Prospect of Over or Undercompensation in Damage Awards for Personal Injuries, 28 DePaul L. Rev. 33 (1978), the appellate court held that the loss-of-a-normal-life instruction is less likely than the IPI disability instruction to be misunderstood by a jury or result in duplication of damages. (Smith v. City of Evanston (1994), 260 Ill. App. 3d 925, 936-38, 631 N.E.2d 1269, 1277-79.) The court defined \"loss of a normal life\u201d as \"plaintiff\u2019s '[diminished ability to enjoy life that the plaintiff has experienced,\u2019 [citation] which should include plaintiff\u2019s temporary or permanent inability to pursue the pleasurable aspects of life, such as recreation or hobbies.\u201d 260 Ill. App. 3d at 938, 631 N.E.2d at 1279.\nLike the plaintiff in Smith, Vanessa presented evidence that her injuries prevented her from participating in the many sporting activities she had previously enjoyed. Vanessa\u2019s expert testified that she could expect her future activities to be permanently limited. Another witness testified that Vanessa will experience difficulty associated with child bearing. Based on this evidence, it was reasonable for the trial court to instruct the jury to award damages to Vanessa based on her \"diminished ability to enjoy life that [she] has experienced which includes *** temporary or permanent inability to pursue the pleasurable aspects of life, such as recreation or hobbies.\u201d This instruction was more closely tailored to the evidence presented in this case than the IPI disability instruction. Accordingly, the trial court did not abuse its discretion by applying the Smith holding.\nKevin, however, argues that Smith was erroneously decided and he urges us not to follow it. Citing Fetzer v. Wood (1991), 211 Ill. App. 3d 70, 569 N.E.2d 1237, Kevin claims that loss of a normal life is a component of pain and suffering rather than disability. He thus maintains that the loss-of-a-normal-life instruction increased the likelihood that the jury awarded duplicate damages. We disagree.\nThe issue in Fetzer was whether the trial court erred in excluding expert testimony on the decedent\u2019s loss of enjoyment of life. The Fetzer court did not directly address the question of whether loss of a normal life is a component of pain and suffering. To the extent that Fetzer implies that loss of a normal life is a component of pain and suffering rather than disability, it is inconsistent with other Illinois cases. (E.g., Knight v. Lord (1995), 271 Ill. App. 3d 581, 590, 648 N.E.2d 617 (holding that \"proposed jury instruction misstated the law by declaring the loss of enjoyment of life is a component of pain and suffering, rather than disability\u201d (emphasis in original)).) Accordingly, Fetzer does not persuade us that the trial court abused its discretion by giving the loss-of-normal-life instruction.\nFinally, Kevin argues that Vanessa\u2019s attorney improperly linked loss of a normal life with pain and suffering in his closing argument. He maintains that these remarks increased the likelihood that the jury awarded Vanessa duplicative damages for loss of normal life and pain and suffering.\nDuring the closing arguments, Vanessa\u2019s attorney did discuss loss of a normal life and pain and suffering. However, we do not interpret these remarks as being misleading or as requesting the jury to award duplicative damages. Rather, they appear to be part and parcel of the discussion of the various damages Vanessa suffered. Furthermore, Kevin\u2019s attorney failed to object to any of the remarks that he claims misled the jury, and he thus waived this issue. (See Miceikis v. Field (1976), 37 Ill. App. 3d 763, 347 N.E.2d 320.) Accordingly, this argument is without merit.\nFor the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Will County is affirmed.\nAffirmed.\nLYTTON and McCUSKEY, JJ\u201e concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "PRESIDING JUSTICE BRESLIN" } ], "attorneys": [ "James W. Fessler (argued) and Michael Resis, both of Querrey & Harrow, Ltd., of Chicago, and Christopher Johnston, of Querrey & Harrow, Ltd., of Joliet, for appellant.", "John C. Pendergast (argued) and Carol A. Collins, both of Fishman, Fish-man & Saltzberg, of Chicago, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "ANTHONY ABBINANTE et al., Plaintiffs, v. KEVIN O\u2019CONNELL, Defendant-Appellant (Vanessa Abbinante, Plaintiff-Appellee).\nThird District\nNo. 3\u201495\u20140450\nOpinion filed February 21, 1996.\nJames W. Fessler (argued) and Michael Resis, both of Querrey & Harrow, Ltd., of Chicago, and Christopher Johnston, of Querrey & Harrow, Ltd., of Joliet, for appellant.\nJohn C. Pendergast (argued) and Carol A. Collins, both of Fishman, Fish-man & Saltzberg, of Chicago, for appellee." }, "file_name": "1046-01", "first_page_order": 1064, "last_page_order": 1070 }