Cook v. Rontal

Plaintiff appeals from a judgment entered on a jury verdict of no cause of action in favor of the defendant. Plaintiff’s theory at trial was that defendant, a physician specializing in the practice of otolaryngology, committed malpractice by failing to adequately advise her of the risks attendant to a surgical procedure that defendant performed on her and to which she had given her consent. The sole question on appeal concerns the admissibility of the testimony of Theresa Blanchard, a former patient of the defendant.

Plaintiff first visited Dr. Rontal in October, 1972, complaining of hearing…