Opinion ID: 1453656
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Admissibility of Randy Zonker's Report

Text: A report detailing a series of tests performed by Jayco employee Randy Zonker was submitted along with Jayco's Motion for Summary Judgment on July 8, 2005. See Joint App'x at 20-27. Based on these tests, Zonker ultimately concluded that in his expert opinion the RV was in good condition. He noted just two minor leaks, neither of which was a substantial defect. Zonker reported that neither defect substantially impaired the value of the RV and that both were common in the RV industry. Further, one leak did not affect a Jayco-manufactured part and thus was not covered by the warranty. Zonker concluded that repairing a leaky compartment manufactured by Jayco would be easy, in that [m]ost likely, the compartment just needs some more sealant at the lip, where the door closes. See id. at 25. Zonker recommended that in order to be sure the problem was fixed, he would remove some of the molding in the exterior of the compartment and then clean and seal the entire compartment. Id. He claimed that this repair, plus re-testing, would cost no more than $250. Harnden has offered no evidence rebutting Zonker's conclusions that these were the only defects, that these defects were insubstantial, and that these defects were easily repairable for little cost. Jayco and Harnden dispute the admissibility of this report. At the summary judgment hearing conducted on October 19, 2005, Harnden's attorney objected to the admission of the expert report because it was not in the form of an affidavit or sworn statement, as required under Fed. R.Civ.P. 56(e). Thus, according to Harnden, Zonker's report was inadmissible hearsay. Jayco's attorney responded that he was willing to submit the report in an admissible form, but the district court did not take him up on his offer. The district court considered Zonker's report in conducting its analysis. See Harnden, 408 F.Supp.2d at 319-21. Even if Zonker's unsworn testimony was in the form of inadmissible evidence for purposes of Rule 56, thus rendering its consideration to be in error, such error may be considered harmless if it does not affect the substantial rights of the parties. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 61; United States v. Markwood, 48 F.3d 969, 981 (6th Cir.1995) (holding that reversal is required only where the district court's error affected a party's substantial rights and the party was prejudiced by the district court's error). We hold that admission of this report was harmless error. Notably, sending this case back to the district court will simply result in the affidavit being re-submitted in admissible form, and the district court granting summary judgment again. We reject Harnden's contention that if Jayco were given the opportunity to re-file its motion with the report in admissible form, Harnden would have the opportunity to present additional evidence showing that summary judgment is improper that is not currently part of the record. Appellant's Reply Br. at 11. First, this argument implies that Zonker's report was a surprise for which Harnden did not have adequate time to prepare; but, in fact, Jayco submitted this report along with its motion for summary judgment on July 8, 2005. Harnden knew of the content of Zonker's report well in advance, and had ample time to procure his own expert report and/or evidence. [2] Thus, Harnden appears to be arguing that had Jayco submitted this same report at the same time, but in admissible form, Harnden would have obtained an expert of his own. Given that Harnden had advance warning of Zonker's testimony, we cannot find that the district court's error affected Harnden's substantial rights, and most certainly, Harnden was not prejudiced by this error.