The Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico has denied an appeal by Dr. Kenneth O. Cintrón Velázquez against several medical entities, including Medicina Sistémica, LLC. The court's decision, issued on August 17, 2026, affects the ongoing legal dispute over alleged contract violations and the admissibility of expert testimony. This ruling is significant as it upholds the lower court's decision to deny an amendment to an expert report just before the trial.

Dr. Cintrón, the petitioner in this case, sought to amend his expert report shortly before the trial was set to begin. This amendment was intended to include additional evidence from a digital expert. The court's ruling highlights the importance of adhering to procedural timelines in legal cases, especially as they approach trial.

Background

The parties involved in this case are Dr. Kenneth O. Cintrón Velázquez and several medical entities, including Medicina Sistémica, LLC, Centro Médico Docente Adaptógeno, Centro Medicina Regenerativa, and Aseguradora XYZ. The dispute centers around claims of damages for violations of Law No. 139-2011, which pertains to health services and contractual obligations in Puerto Rico.

This case began in 2022 when Dr. Cintrón filed a civil suit against these entities, alleging that they failed to meet their contractual obligations. As the case progressed, the discovery phase concluded, and the trial was scheduled to commence on August 17, 2026. However, Dr. Cintrón sought to amend his expert report just days before the trial, prompting the legal battle over the admissibility of this new evidence.

The Ruling

The Court of Appeals ruled against Dr. Cintrón, stating that he had not demonstrated that the lower court had made an error in its decision. The court noted that the lower court's denial of the amendment was based on the timing of the request, which it considered to be tardy and surprising. The ruling stated, "No ha lugar por tardío y sorpresivo" (No grounds for the request due to being late and surprising).

The court emphasized that the lower court had previously ordered Dr. Cintrón to submit evidence for the trial by January 20, 2026. As the trial date approached, the court found that allowing the amendment would disrupt the proceedings and violate established timelines. The judges on the panel included President Judge Romero García, Judge Salgado Schwarz, and Judge Campos Pérez.

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for Dr. Cintrón and the medical entities involved. By denying the amendment to the expert report, the court has reinforced the importance of adhering to procedural rules in legal cases. This decision may discourage late amendments and emphasize the need for parties to prepare their cases thoroughly before trial.

Furthermore, the court's ruling may set a precedent for future cases in Puerto Rico where parties seek to amend expert reports or introduce new evidence close to trial dates. It highlights the necessity for litigants to comply with established timelines to ensure a fair and efficient judicial process.

What's Next

Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether Dr. Cintrón plans to appeal this decision further. However, it is possible that he may seek other legal avenues or prepare for the upcoming trial without the amended expert report.