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.

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APPEAL FROM THE
FOURTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PARISH OF CALCASIEU, NO. 2008-6528
HONORABLE DAVID A. RITCHIE, DISTRICT JUDGE

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PHYLLIS M. KEATY
JUDGE

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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.