Opinion ID: 465441
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: errors in rulings on evidence

Text: 43 Electrolux also contends that the district court erred on two evidentiary rulings. First, Electrolux objected to Olof Goeransson's testimony that Swedish regulations required chain brakes on chain saws in 1978. Electrolux argues that the testimony was irrelevant, highly prejudicial, and constituted reversible error. Nettles sought to show that Electrolux knew first hand that chain brakes were very beneficial. Olof Goeransson's testimony was relevant to that issue. 44 District courts are given discretion to determine when the benefits of such evidence outweighs the chance that confusion or prejudice will result from its introduction. Fed.R.Evid. 403. The district court in this case did not abuse its discretion. 45 Finally, Electrolux argues that the district court committed reversible error by admitting hearsay evidence. Nettles called Sidney Esco, claims adjuster for the Alabama Forest Products Workman's Compensation Self Insurers Fund, to the stand and elicited testimony that of the fifty kickback injury files that she had seen in her office, forty-nine involved Husqvarna chain saws. 46 We agree with Electrolux that Esco's testimony was hearsay, that the district court erred in admitting it. We disagree, however, with Electrolux's contention that this case should be reversed and remanded due to the erroneous evidentiary ruling. No error in the admission of evidence is grounds for granting a new trial or disturbing a judgment unless refusal to take such action appears to the court inconsistent with substantial justice. Fed.R.Civ.P. 61. 47 Esco's testimony amounted to prejudicial hearsay because it focused the jury's attention on an irrelevant issue: Whether Husqvarna chain saws were more defective than other chain saws. The district court, however, charged the jury that the issue for its determination was whether the Husqvarna chain saw was defective because it did not have a chain brake. Given the court's correct instructions, it is highly unlikely that the jury gave Esco's testimony undue consideration. Therefore, our refusal to reverse and remand here will not result in a denial of substantial justice to Electrolux.