Talesha Bertrand, Et Ux. v. Robert Rumsey, M.D.

STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT 14-62 consolidated with 14-61

TALESHA BERTRAND, ET UX.

VERSUS ROBERT RUMSEY, M.D., ET AL.

********** APPEAL FROM THE FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF CALCASIEU, NO. 2008-6528 HONORABLE DAVID A. RITCHIE, DISTRICT JUDGE ********** PHYLLIS M. KEATY JUDGE ********** Court composed of Sylvia R. Cooks, J. David Painter, and Phyllis M. Keaty, Judges.

REVERSED IN PART AND RENDERED.

Benjamin P. Mouton McGlynn, Glisson & Mouton Post Office Box 1909 Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821 (225) 344-3555 Counsel for Plaintiffs/Appellants: James Bertrand Talesha Bertrand William C. Rowe, Jr., David C. Bolton Rowe Law Firm 5157 Bluebonnet Boulevard Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809 (225) 293-8787 Counsel for Intervenors/Appellees: Louisiana Patient’s Compensation Fund Louisiana Patient’s Compensation Fund Oversight Board, through the nominal defendant, Dr. Michael Kudla James R. Shelton Durio, McGoffin, Stagg & Ackermann Post Office Box 51308 Lafayette, Louisiana 70505-1308 (337) 233-0300 Counsel for Defendants/Appellees: Louisiana Medical Mutual Insurance Company Michael Kudla, M.D.

J. Gregory Bergstedt Elizabeth F. Shea Fraser, Wheeler & Begstedt 4350 Nelson Road Lake Charles, Louisiana 70605 (337) 478-8595 Counsel for Defendants/Appellees: Preferred Professional Insurance Company Robert Rumsey, M.D.

KEATY, Judge.

For the reasons set forth in the companion case hereto, Bertrand v. Kudla, 14-61 (La.App. 3 Cir. __/__/14) ___ So.3d ___, the July 16, 2013 judgment notwithstanding the verdict rendered by the trial court denying an additional award of special damages for lost wages is reversed. We hereby award Talesha Bertrand the amount of $46,550.00 representing lost wages from May 31, 2005 through March 15, 2006. We further reverse the trial court’s denial of an increase in general damages to Talesha Bertrand and increase the award to $150,000.00.

REVERSED IN PART AND RENDERED.