Opinion ID: 2391903
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: testimony as to similar conditions and events

Text: Elk contends that the trial court should have excluded the testimony of two of Jackson's witnesses, Truman Capps and Ernest Bussell. Capps testified as to the loading practices of his employer, Elk Corporation of Alabama, an intersubsidiary corporation of Elk Corporation of Arkansas. Capps stated that Elk of Alabama used certain safety devices when loading rolls of roofing because of previous accidents with that cargo. This testimony was relevant to show that a sister corporation had recognized the danger of hauling double stacked roofing and had taken safety precautions to make the load safe. It also served to rebut the argument by Elk that the carrier and not the shipper was solely responsible for taking safety measures. The testimony was therefore admissible for these purposes. Bussell testified that he picked up a load of double stacked roofing which Elk loaded next to Jackson's truck on the same day. He said his load shifted the next day and almost turned over also. Elk argues that the testimony should have been excluded because it was not shown that there was adequate similarity of conditions between the two events to make it reasonable and probable that the same cause produced the same result. Chicago R.I. & Pac. R.R. v. Lynch, 246 Ark. 1282, 441 S.W.2d 793 (1969). Elk emphasizes that the drivers were on different highways, there was no proof they drove in the same manner, Bussell's load did not shift until the next day, and there were also shingles on Bussell's load. We disagree. That the same type of cargo was loaded in the same way, by the same company, picked up the same day, and experienced similar problems, makes the occurrence similar enough to be relevant on the issue of whether Elk's loading practices were negligent.