Opinion ID: 1692868
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Evidence of Previous Injury

Text: Plaintiffs also contend the court erred in allowing testimony pertaining to Brian's five previous head injuries. Although plaintiffs concede that the prior injuries were relevant in determining whether Brian had a pre-existing condition, they contend their admission was prejudicial because the school district had already admitted and stipulated to liability for the playground fall. The determination of relevancy of evidence rests within the sound discretion of the trial court. Harris v. Jones, 471 N.W.2d 818, 821 (Iowa 1991); Norton v. Adair County, 441 N.W.2d 347, 357 (Iowa 1989). We reverse only if the trial court clearly abused its discretion to the prejudice of the complaining party. Sanford v. Meadow Gold Dairies, Inc., 534 N.W.2d 410, 412 (Iowa 1995). The balancing decision under rule 403 is also a matter for the trial court's discretion. Harris, 471 N.W.2d at 821. The testimony concerning Brian's five previous injuries was not introduced to show fault on the part of Brian or that his alleged recklessness contributed to the 1992 incident. Instead, it was introduced to dispute the causal link between the 1992 injury and Brian's OCD and other behavioral disorders. At issue at trial was whether Brian's disorders were the result of other factors, not solely the 1992 fall. Evidence that Brian had suffered numerous concussions on previous occasions, including loss of consciousness and vomiting episodes, supports this proposition. Such evidence is not overly prejudicial. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when it admitted this evidence.