Lovell v. Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center

In June 2005, plaintiff, Clinton Dean Lovell, sued defendant, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center (Health Center), for medical malpractice, claiming that the Health Center’s negligence following his August 2003 surgery caused him severe and permanent injury. Following a September 2008 trial, a jury returned a verdict in Lovell’s favor and awarded him $2,378,258.

The Health Center appeals, arguing that (1) it is entitled to a new trial because of Lovell’s argumentative and prejudicial comments during his opening statement and (2) the trial court abused its discretion by (a) denying its motion for…