Opinion ID: 2332827
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Damages Awarded in the Default Trial

Text: Barnes first argues that the trial court erred in refusing to allow her to present evidence of the amount of damages obtained, a total of $525,000, in the default trial against National. She contends that the amount of damages was relevant to her claim of malpractice to show that, but for Everett's negligence, she would have been successful in her claim against National. She contends further that because the jurors were not informed of the amount of damages previously awarded, they were forced to speculate or guess as to the damages that would have been awarded. The record reflects that this latter argument was not raised in the trial court. This court has repeatedly stated that it will not consider an argument raised for the first time on appeal. See, e.g., Arkansas Blue Cross & Blue Shield v. Hicks, 349 Ark. 269, 78 S.W.3d 58 (2002); Laird v. Shelnut, 348 Ark. 632, 74 S.W.3d 206 (2002); Hurst v. Holland, 347 Ark. 235, 61 S.W.3d 180 (2001). Accordingly, we will confine our review to the preserved issue of the evidence's relevance. During a pretrial hearing, Everett sought to exclude this evidence on the ground that it was irrelevant and its admission would be unfairly prejudicial because it was the result of a default-judgment trial, where liability was not an issue and there was no defense at all. Barnes's attorney argued that while the jury may not be bound by the actual amount of the default judgment, it should be informed of all the facts and of what actually occurred in the underlying case. The trial court found that the evidence of the default judgment had little probative value, and that such value was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice to Everett. The trial court explained: They were unrepresented, and to allow that to stand against this defendant is clearly wrong and not permitted under the law. You certainly will be given your opportunity to prove to the jury what you feel the damages should be under these facts if you prove negligence on behalf of the defendant. But for them to even hear what that jury did is so misleading because there was no one defending, there was only one defendant in there, there was no defense counsel present to cross-examine the plaintiff's witnesses or to argue on behalf of Rebsamen or National Security that if it was relevant, which I don't think it is because it's not given in a fully contested case, it was not brought about by a jury hearing both sides of the case, but by a jury that only heard one side and did not hear anything from the other side. But if it is, has any probative value, then under Arkansas Rule of Evidence 403 that the unfair prejudice and misleading nature of that evidence outweighs any probative value that it might have. The trial court then stated that Barnes could inform the jury that a favorable judgment was obtained, and that she was only prohibited from telling the jury the amount of the default judgment. We find no error with the trial court's ruling. Relevant evidence is evidence having any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence. Ark. R. Evid. 401. See also NationsBank, N.A. v. Murray Guard, Inc., 343 Ark. 437, 36 S.W.3d 291 (2001). A trial court's ruling on relevancy is entitled to great weight and will not be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. Columbia Nat'l Ins. Co., 347 Ark. 423, 64 S.W.3d 720; Arthur v. Zearley, 337 Ark. 125, 992 S.W.2d 67 (1999). However, even relevant evidence may be excluded to prevent possible unfair prejudice or confusion if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by considerations of undue delay, waste of time, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence. Ark. R. Evid. 403. See also Arkansas Dep't of Human Servs. v. Huff, 347 Ark. 553, 65 S.W.3d 880 (2002); NationsBank, 343 Ark. 437, 36 S.W.3d 291. This court has consistently held that the determination of whether the probative value of admitting the evidence is substantially outweighed by its prejudicial effect is left to the sound discretion of the trial court, and that determination will not be reversed absent a manifest abuse of that discretion. Id.; Edwards v. Stills, 335 Ark. 470, 984 S.W.2d 366 (1998). Here, the trial court found that the evidence of the amount of damages assessed by the jury in the default trial was of little probative value, given that neither Rebsamen nor National defended during the proceeding. The trial court found further that any probative value was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice to Everett and the misleading nature of the evidence. Based on the record before us, we cannot say that the trial court manifestly abused its discretion in denying admission of the evidence under the circumstances.