Opinion ID: 2614600
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Traumatic Brain Injury

Text: The district judge found that, although the evidence was conflicting, Diane sustained mild to moderate traumatic brain injury from the accident. Sawtelle and Williams first argue that the Hanks presented insufficient evidence to support this finding. Whether a plaintiff suffered damages is a question of fact. As noted above, this court will not disturb factual findings that are supported by substantial and competent evidence. Dr. Nilsson, a board certified neuropsychologist, testified without objection that Diane sustained traumatic brain injury from the accident. Sawtelle's expert, Dr. Holland, testified that he could not dispute the fact that Diane possibly suffered traumatic brain injury. Sawtelle appears to be doing nothing more than asking this Court to reweigh the evidence. Based upon Diane's subjective complaints and Dr. Nilsson's testimony, the record clearly supports the district judge's finding. Next, Sawtelle complains that the district judge abused his discretion by considering evidence of traumatic brain injury under I.R.E. 702. A trial court has broad discretion in admitting scientific evidence. Its decision will only be disturbed on appeal when there has been a clear abuse of that discretion. See State v. Merwin, 131 Idaho 642, 646, 962 P.2d 1026, 1030 (1998). A review of the record reveals that Sawtelle failed to object in any way to Dr. Nilsson's testimony below. The district judge was not given the opportunity to determine whether Dr. Nilsson's opinion comported with Rule 702. Sawtelle and Williams appear to argue on appeal that this Court should independently review the expert's qualifications and make our own determination about whether the testimony is credible and supports the judge's decision. Our rules regarding our review of the trial court's actions are clear, however, and do not permit that type of credibility determination. Thus, Sawtelle has waived this issue on appeal. See, e.g., Lankford v. Nicholson Mfg. Co., 126 Idaho 187, 189, 879 P.2d 1120, 1122 (1994).