Lis v. Robert Packer Hospital

Debbie and Edwin Lis (plaintiffs) sued Robert Packer Hospital, Guthrie Clinic, and Dr. Wayne Allen (defendants) after Allen misdiagnosed their four-month-old son Jason with diabetes and gave him an insulin shot; Jason didn't actually have diabetes, and he subsequently developed seizures resulting in brain damage. At trial, the defendants argued Jason's condition stemmed from a pre-existing congenital brain disease rather than the insulin shot, and when the plaintiffs called Jason's pediatrician to testify about his normal early development, the defendants' cross-examination exceeded the scope of that direct testimony; the trial judge allowed it over objection, stating plainly that he permitted such expanded cross-examination 'in every case unless it causes confusion.' The jury found Allen negligent but concluded that negligence wasn't the proximate cause of Jason's injuries, and the plaintiffs appealed the cross-examination ruling.