Opinion ID: 1757327
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The rulings on evidence.

Text: Travelers asserts several errors in the trial court's rulings on its objections to certain exhibits and testimony at trial. It asserts error, first, in the introduction of several photographs showing the press and the foot control, as well as slide latch bodies, produced by the press, in several stages of completion. Travelers objected on the ground, among others, that there was no proper and sufficient foundation to show that any Travelers' representative had seen the conditions depicted. However, whether or not Travelers' representatives had seen the condition is not determinative of the admissibility of the photos if they portrayed their subjects as of the date of the accident; the fact Travelers' inspectors failed to see them merely fortifies Thompson's claim Travelers did an inadequate job of inspecting. Travelers also objected on the ground that there was an inadequate showing the conditions depicted were the same as those which existed at the time of the accident. The trial court, however, apparently concluded there was such a showing, and it has considerable discretion in such matters. Wiedenfeld v. Chicago & Northwestern Transportation Co., 252 N.W.2d 691, 699 (Iowa 1971); see C. McCormick, Handbook of the Law of Evidence § 214, at 533-34 (1972). The court's discretion was not abused; there was ample testimony by plant personnel to establish the similarity of the conditions portrayed. Travelers also asserts error in allowing testimony by Farmaster's manager, Long, as to his duties, Farmaster's guarding practices, and his awareness of danger in using the press, over the objection that such evidence was not binding upon Travelers, only upon Long. The objection that the evidence is not binding upon Travelers, standing alone, is insufficient to cause its exclusion, absent a specific objection as to why it is not binding. M. Ladd & R. Carlson, Cases and Materials on Evidence 120-21 (1972); see Shinrone, Inc. v. Tasco, Inc., 283 N.W.2d 280, 288 (Iowa 1979). Travelers objected to Thompson's testimony as to his manner of operating the press, and as to how others had operated it, on the grounds of no proper, sufficient foundation and relevancy. The objection failed to state in what respect the foundation was lacking and the objection as made was insufficient to raise the issue. See Shinrone, 283 N.W.2d at 288. Evidence is relevant if it renders the existence of a fact more probable or less probable with it than without it. Carson v. Mulnix, 263 N.W.2d 701, 706 (1978). We believe the testimony here satisfied the test of relevancy; the evidence as to the other employees' operation of the press was relevant to show the condition existing at the plant which should have been observed on inspection and what effect, if any, Travelers' failure to point out the hazards to Farmaster had upon its manner of operation. Questions of relevancy are for the trial court to resolve in its discretion, id., and we see no abuse here. The testimony of Professor Gary Hansen, Thompson's safety expert, was challenged on the general ground he was not qualified to express an opinion on the subject matter involved. Questions specifically asking for his opinions as to the sufficiency of Travelers' inspection procedure, the cause of the injury, and whether Travelers' inspections had contributed to it also prompted objections by Travelers. First, as to Hansen's general qualification, receipt of expert testimony is a matter lying largely in the discretion of the trial court and we will reverse only upon manifest abuse of that discretion, Shinrone, 283 N.W.2d at 288. Hansen was currently employed at Oklahoma State University as an associate professor, having received his doctorate following study concentrated on industrial psychology, industrial education, and education psychology. He had taught at Purdue University in manufacturing technology and had taught courses in manufacturing technique at the college level, as well as courses in industrial safety and tool design. He had been employed as a safety consultant for insurance companies and had conducted plant inspections himself. We believe the trial court was well within its discretion in receiving Hansen's testimony. Objections to specific questions put to Hansen were based primarily on the fact that he was unfamiliar with the standards of the industry and thus could not evaluate the sufficiency of Travelers' inspection and reporting procedures. The trial court, presumably on the basis of Hansen's background, concluded otherwise. Hansen's testimony on the cause of the accident and the causal connection between it and Travelers' inspections were within his areas of expertise in design, safety procedure, and employee psychology; the testimony was within the trial court's discretion, see id. Finally, Travelers raises a potpourri of other alleged errors which, it contends, requires a new trial. It reasserts specific errors urged in other divisions and argues that, even if they would not be grounds for reversal standing alone, their cumulative effect denied it a fair trial. Because we remand for a new trial on the ground discussed in Division II(B), it is not necessary to address these matters. Costs on appeal are taxed one-half to Travelers and one-half to Thompson. REVERSED ON LONG'S APPEAL; REVERSED AND REMANDED ON TRAVELERS' APPEAL.