Opinion ID: 1360544
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Relevance of Testimony Regarding the Style 8 and Style 63 Lenses.

Text: Surgidev's final evidentiary contention is that the trial court erred in allowing testimony regarding the Surgidev Style 8 and Style 63 lenses. Surgidev argues that evidence of earlier defects in the Style 8 and Style 63 lenses is not relevant to whether Surgidev had notice of potential defects in the Style 10 lens because the Style 8 and Style 63 lenses utilized different designs than the Style 10 lens. We agree that evidence of a defect in one product model is not relevant to prove notice of a defect in another model, unless the models are substantially similar. Lewy v. Remington Arms Co., 836 F.2d 1104, 1109 (8th Cir.1988). However, the evidence concerning the other defective lenses was not admitted to prove notice. Instead, the testimony regarding the earlier models demonstrated prior instances of Surgidev's failure to promptly remove defective lenses from the market after learning of the defects. Such prior acts are relevant to the issue of punitive damages because they demonstrate a reckless disregard for the safety of others. Edgar v. Fred Jones Lincoln Mercury, Inc., 524 F.2d 162, 167 (10th Cir.1975). As the Tenth Circuit noted in Edgar, when evil intent, actual or presumed, is a material element or issue in a case, similar prior acts may, with judicial approval, be admitted in evidence to establish such intent. Id. at 167 n. 3 (discussing punitive damages); see also Bradbury v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 815 F.2d 1356, 1364 (10th Cir.1987) (admitting prior acts to show recklessness and outrageous conduct); Silkwood v. Kerr-McGee Corp., 769 F.2d 1451, 1458 (10th Cir.1985) (noting that under Oklahoma law prior acts are admissible to determine punitive damages), cert. denied, 476 U.S. 1104, 106 S.Ct. 1947, 90 L.Ed.2d 356 (1986); Stockett v. Tolin, 791 F.Supp. 1536, 1558 (S.D.Fla.1992) (In considering the nature, extent, and enormity of the wrong and all of the surrounding circumstances, courts have regularly considered acts other than the acts giving rise to the defendant's liability to the plaintiff on the issue of punitive damages.). Accordingly, we find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by admitting the evidence pertaining to the Style 8 and Style 63 lenses.