The trial court did not err in excluding expert testimony about THC residue in plaintiff’s blood when he was hospitalized after the vehicular accident giving rise to the suit. The laboratory blood test taken of plaintiff in the hospital did not indicate the concentration of active THC (the active ingredient in marijuana) in plaintiff’s blood so there was no reasonable basis for the expert’s proposed testimony that plaintiff was impaired at the time of the accident. On the other hand, there was substantial evidence to support an award of damages for three shoulder surgeries over plaintiff’s lifetime to replace parts of the prosthetic shoulder that was implanted to replace the shoulder damaged in the accident. Plaintiff’s doctors testified that the prosthesis would wear out and likely have to be replaced after about 15 years. Given plaintiff’s age and life expectancy, three future surgeries to replace the worn-out prosthesis were therefore likely to be needed.
California Court of Appeal, Second District, Division 6 (Yegan, J.); July 25, 2017; 2017 WL 3141173