Opinion ID: 1145228
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Evidence to Support Verdict

Text: The jury was instructed that defendant Tri-O had a duty to use reasonable care in selecting, furnishing, and inspecting the rope and in informing Groen of any known defects or facts that would affect the reasonable safety of the rope, and that the failure to exercise such reasonable care would constitute negligence. [1] On appeal, plaintiffs contend that the jury's finding that Tri-O had not been negligent was unsupported by the evidence, and, indeed, that it was contrary to the weight of the evidence. It is the exclusive province of the jury to determine the credibility of the witnesses, weigh the evidence, and make findings of fact. Williams v. Lloyd, 16 Utah 2d 427, 429-30, 403 P.2d 166, 167 (1965); Joseph v. W.H. Groves Latter-Day Saints Hospital, 10 Utah 2d 94, 99-100, 348 P.2d 935, 938 (1960). Where the evidence is conflicting and the jury is properly instructed, we do not upset those findings of fact on appeal except upon a showing that the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, so clearly preponderated in appellant's favor that reasonable persons could not differ on the outcome of the case. Ute-Cal Land Development Corp. v. Sather, Utah, 605 P.2d 1240, 1245 (1980); Nelson v. Watts, Utah, 563 P.2d 798, 799 (1977). The record at trial contained ample evidence from which the jury could have found either party negligent or neither party negligent. There was abundant evidence that polypropylene rope is commonly used in flying wire. Two construction superintendents experienced in erecting electrical towers and stringing wire testified that pilots on their projects usually used polypropylene rope, and the pilot who invented the flying method used by Groen testified that, given a choice, he always used polypropylene rope, though usually larger than 1/2 inch in diameter. At the meeting between Groen, Candlish, and the Tri-O superintendent, Clinger, in the show-up yard on the first morning, Clinger informed Groen that the lead rope had been used before. However, at trial, both Groen and Clinger admitted that it was not common practice to replace the lead rope every day. Typically, such ropes are changed whenever they begin to show signs of wear or damage visible on inspection. Clinger testified that in the industry ropes are used from two weeks to eight months depending on the amount of wear they suffer. Clinger inspected the rope visually, and Groen also inspected it thoroughly hand over hand every morning before he began to fly, including the morning of the accident. Neither man found any apparent defect. Hence, there was substantial evidence from which the jury could have concluded that Tri-O was not negligent in selecting or furnishing polypropylene rope to Groen or in failing to inform him of its previous use. The cause of the accident was also disputed. The record indicates that flying wire is inherently dangerous work that few pilots undertake for any length of time. It was undisputed at trial that snags are a common and perhaps unavoidable occurrence. Although it was uncontroverted at trial that Groen was an excellent, experienced pilot with a general reputation of competence in flying wire, there was also substantial credible evidence that he flew much faster than other pilots fly even with ideal conditions in weather, terrain, and distance between towers. Groen testified that at the time of the accident he was going approximately 25 to 30 miles per hour and that it was his practice to fly as fast as conditions permitted. Tri-O's representatives testified that they had observed other pilots fly wire between 10 and 20 miles per hour and that they had never seen any other pilot fly as fast as 30 miles per hour. The inventor of the flying method testified that threading a traveller at 18 to 20 miles per hour would have been the upper limit of safety and that it is probably the best practice to fly between 10 and 12 miles per hour, slowing down to 8 miles per hour at towers, where snags are more likely. Plaintiffs argue that Tri-O's representatives, who observed Groen flying while in radio communication with him, were negligent in failing to warn him against flying at such high speeds with the PD-10 rope. However, Groen himself, Clinger, and Tri-O's line foreman all testified that the job was going great with no cause for concern right up until the accident. Moreover, all three testified that speed and technique in flying the helicopter were solely within the pilot's discretion and expertise and that as the pilot in command, Groen was the final authority with regard to operation of the aircraft. The jury was so instructed. The expert witnesses for both sides were in conflict on the fitness of the rope. Plaintiffs' experts testified that when new the rope had a breaking strength of 4,400 pounds and would have broken at 25 miles per hour. However, at the time Groen began using it, the rope showed signs of wear and had lost 40 percent of its breaking strength so that it could sustain only 2,600 pounds of pressure and would have broken at only 16 miles per hour. The record was clear that speeds of between 16 and 25 miles per hour are common in flying wire, and one of plaintiffs' experts opined unequivocally that the rope was not fit for its intended use. In contrast, defendant's expert testified that it was not possible to determine whether the rope was damaged before or during the accident and that because of the braided construction of the Sampson rope, it would have a greater tendency than the twisted polypropylene rope to snag and wear under the working conditions of flying wire. As the trier of fact, the jury was entitled to give such conflicting opinions whatever weight it deemed appropriate or to reject them altogether. Dixon v. Stewart, Utah, 658 P.2d 591 (1982); Foreman & Clark Corp. v. Fallon, 3 Cal.3d 875, 479 P.2d 362, 92 Cal. Rptr. 162 (1971); State v. Dillingham Corp., 60 Hawaii 393, 591 P.2d 1049 (1979); Simpson v. Johnson, 100 Idaho 357, 597 P.2d 600 (1979); Boxberger v. Martin, Okl., 552 P.2d 370 (1976); 31 Am.Jur.2d Expert and Opinion Evidence §§ 181, 183 (1967). Where, as here, there is a reasonable basis in the evidence, or from lack of evidence, upon which reasonable minds could remain unconvinced, Centurian Corp. v. Fiberchem, Inc., Utah, 562 P.2d 1252, 1253 (1977), we decline to set aside the jury's finding that the proof did not preponderate in favor of defendant Tri-O's negligence. Id.; Erickson v. Bennion, 28 Utah 2d 371, 374-75, 503 P.2d 139, 141 (1972); Park v. Alta Ditch & Canal Co., 23 Utah 2d 86, 93, 458 P.2d 625, 629 (1969).