This case is a good illustration of a couple of points: (1) proceeding pro se is in a Tennessee personal injury case is dangerous business, and (2) judges at both the trial court and appellate level can be very patient folks.
Plaintiff Jennifer Al-Athari was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a tractor-trailer driven by Mr. Gamboa who was an employee of Morgan Southern. Mrs. Al-Athari and her husband filed suit against Mr. Gambo and Morgan Southern After burning through two attorneys, the plaintiffs elected to proceed pro se. Thereafter, things went awry.
Judge Brothers entered a scheduling order which specified dates for medical proof. Plaintiff failed to produce any medical proof, so Morgan Southern moved in limine to exclude any medical evidence at trial. Plaintiffs did not appear at the hearing and the trial court granted the motion. In addition, shortly before the trial, Morgan Southern moved in limine to exclude settlement offers, liability insurance and any reference to Mr. Gamboa’s legal status in the United States or the process by which he was hired by Morgan Southern. All of these motions in limine were also granted.