Opinion ID: 901893
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Mr. Rallis' testimony regarding the use of Class A vents.

Text: [¶ 16.] During the discovery phase of this case, Supreme Pork asked Master Blaster to produce the installation instruction sheet for the All American brand power washer. These instructions provided the manufacturer's recommendations for how the power washer and the venting were to be installed. A copy of these instructions had been given to PP & H prior to installation. [¶ 17.] Master Blaster, the product vendor, repeatedly stated it did not have the instruction sheet in its possession and was unable to provide a copy to Supreme Pork or its experts. A copy of the instruction sheet was discovered in the possession of a Master Blaster expert witness [6] on May 4, 2007, and given to Supreme Pork. Trial commenced June 11, 2007. No depositions were taken of Supreme Pork's expert witnesses between the time Supreme Pork received the instruction sheet and the beginning of trial. However, their experts received copies of this newly disclosed information. [¶ 18.] The instruction sheet stated that for Venting the Machine, the Class `A' Double Insulated Chimney is required for a minimum of 500,000 BTU Heat, or a chimney built of [sic] for 500,000 BTU requirements. The power washers installed at Supreme Pork's facility were rated 480,000 BTUs. The instruction sheet was labeled as Exhibit 26 [7] and was admitted at trial with no objection by Master Blaster. [¶ 19.] Several witnesses, including Master Blaster's owner, Paul Miersma, and a Supreme Pork expert witness, Chris Rallis, discussed or mentioned the contents of Exhibit 26, the differences between Class A and B vents, and the manufacturer's recommendations. Master Blaster did not object to this testimony. [¶ 20.] Later, Supreme Pork sought to introduce an actual Class A vent into evidence as an exemplar of what was recommended by the pressure washer manufacturer. This was offered as a comparison to the Class B vent used by PP & H, so the jury can see what did their manufacturer recommend. Mr. Miersma said he gave to the subcontractor these instructions[, Exhibit 26,] and the subcontractor[, PP & H,] disregarded those instructions... The trial court did not allow the Class A vent into evidence on the basis of Kaiser v. University Physicians Clinic, 2006 SD 95, 724 N.W.2d 186. During this discussion, the parties again addressed the late discovery of Exhibit 26 and the problems this caused for developing deposition testimony from experts regarding Class A vents. [¶ 21.] On the basis of these discussions and these rulings, it is not clear that Rallis' testimony regarding Class A vents rose to the level of the undisclosed expert testimony in Kaiser and Papke. This testimony was the result of newly acquired evidence, long sought by Supreme Pork and only discovered in the possession of a Master Blaster expert witness approximately one month before trial. The bulk of the discussion of Class A vents is made in response to Master Blaster's questioning. From the transcripts, it does not appear that Master Blaster was taken by surprise or bushwhacked by this testimony, as was the concern in Kaiser and Papke. We cannot conclude this led to an abuse of discretion by the trial court in admitting this testimony.