Opinion ID: 1310349
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: NFO Preserved Error for Appeal

Text: BVC argues that NFO did not properly object to admission of the waiver clause and that thus, the issue was not preserved for appeal. In support of this, BVC claims that NFO did not object when counsel for BVC made references to the waiver clause during opening and closing remarks. BVC also asserts that NFO failed to make clear the evidentiary grounds for the objections that were made. BVC is correct that a litigant's failure to make a timely objection waives the right to assert prejudicial error on appeal. Benzel v. Keller Indus., 253 Neb. 20, 567 N.W.2d 552 (1997); Reavis v. Slominski, 250 Neb. 711, 551 N.W.2d 528 (1996). Moreover, a litigant must specify the grounds for such an objection at trial. See Washa v. Miller, 249 Neb. 941, 546 N.W.2d 813 (1996). Opening and closing statements were not transcribed in the instant case and are not included in the record before us. What is in the record is NFO's argument at the hearing on its motion in limine to exclude the waiver clause as irrelevant. Beyond that, NFO objected to admission of the waiver clause at the very start of trial within 1 hour of arguing the motion in limine. NFO objected to admission of the waiver clause again when BVC first sought to adduce testimony and exhibits pertaining to the waiver clause. After being overruled, NFO asked for a continuing objection on the matter, which the trial court noted. This series of motions, arguments, and objections made it abundantly clear that relevancy was the basis for the objection. We, therefore, conclude that NFO properly preserved the issue for appeal under these circumstances.