Opinion ID: 2722149
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Instruction Regarding Simmons

Text: Reed first argues the district court abused its discretion when it failed to give his requested jury instruction that “[a]s a matter of law, Simmons Foods, Inc. was not negligent in the occurrence.” Reed asserts he was entitled to his instruction as an accurate statement of the law because Simmons had previously been dismissed from the first lawsuit on summary judgment, and therefore “the doctrine of either collateral estoppel or res judicata bars relitigation of the issue in a subsequently [sic] refiling of the same action.” The district court declined to give Reed’s instruction. The court noted Reed had specifically requested prior to trial that all parties be collaterally estopped from presenting evidence or argument implicating Simmons in regard to this occurrence. Because the parties were prevented from presenting evidence or argument regarding Simmons’ negligence, the court ruled a jury instruction regarding Simmons’ negligence was not necessary and, without further explanation, would potentially and unnecessarily confuse the jury. On appeal, Reed acknowledges Malone “did not specifically contend at trial that Simmons was negligent.” Nonetheless, Reed asserts there was significant evidence presented from which the jury could have inferred Simmons Foods was negligent. Reed claims the type of case presented—a pipe saddle falling from above and hitting Reed on the head—is the type of case that does not occur in the absence of negligence.6 6 Throughout his argument, Reed likens this case to a case brought under the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur. We do not understand him to be claiming error on the -8- Reed contends that because this type of injury cannot happen without someone being negligent, the issue for the jury to decide was not whether someone was negligent but who was negligent: Malone, Simmons, or Gilbert. He asserts that failure to give the proffered instruction resulted in prejudice to him, requiring a new trial. We disagree. In Instruction 10, the district court instructed the jury that in order for the jury to find Malone’s negligence caused Reed’s damages, Reed had to show: (1) he sustained damages; (2) Malone was negligent; and (3) Malone’s negligence was a proximate cause of his damages. Malone denied its negligence, claiming both Reed and Gilbert were negligent and their negligence caused Reed’s injuries. In Instructions 11 and 12, the court instructed the jury it was Malone’s burden to prove both of these contentions. Instruction 14 advised: “[t]he fact that an accident occurred is not, of itself, evidence of negligence or fault on the part of anyone.” Reed did not object to any of these instructions. Reed argues the only explanation for the jury’s verdict is that the jury decided Simmons was completely responsible for his injuries. We find no basis to accept Reed’s conclusion. We note first that while Simmons was discussed at trial, neither party argued in closing arguments Simmons was negligent. Also, as outlined above, the jury had the option of finding Malone, Reed, and/or Gilbert—or no one at all—responsible for Reed’s injuries. We will not speculate that, because the jury found Malone was not negligent, it must have found Simmons at fault. See Craig Outdoor Adver., Inc. v. Viacom Outdoor, Inc., 528 F.3d 1001, 1022–23 (8th Cir. 2008) (“Absent evidence to the contrary we presume the jury followed the instructions it was given.”). Accordingly, we find no abuse of discretion in the court’s refusal to give the proffered instruction. part of the district court for not instructing on res ipsa loquitur, however, and note he did not request a jury instruction on this theory. -9-