Opinion ID: 164099
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Feasibility Exception

Text: Next, Ms. Gray argues the trial court should have admitted the form under the feasibility exception to the rules barring subsequent remedial measures. She believes feasibility was controverted at trial. Ms. Gray first explains she controverted feasibility when she attempted to show Roche’s former method of informing doctors about Accutane’s possible side effects was infeasible, whereas the revised patient informed consent form would have been feasible. Ms. Gray also claims Roche controverted feasibility when its representative testified the company “didn’t think to put” warnings on patient brochures and blister packs, and testified it would not have been easy for Roche to revise the informed consent form. -14- Neither the Oklahoma statute nor Rule 407 bars subsequent remedial measures to prove the “feasibility of precautionary measures, if controverted.” Fed. R. Evid. 407; Okla. Stat. tit. 12, § 2407 (emphasis added). The “if controverted” requirement “allows the opposing party to lay the groundwork for exclusion by making an admission.” Fed. R. Evid. 407 advisory committee’s note. Here, in a pretrial brief, Roche stated it did not contest feasibility. Although the trial court indicated its order excluding the form was “subject to reconsideration at trial,” during the trial Ms. Gray never argued Roche’s representative’s testimony controverted feasibility. Because she raises this argument for the first time on appeal, we decline to review it. See TeleCommunications, Inc. v. Commissioner, 12 F.3d 1005, 1007 (10th Cir. 1993). In addition to waiving appellate review, Ms. Gray’s omission also deprived Roche of the opportunity to make an admission regarding feasibility. Ms. Gray further suggests her efforts to controvert feasibility satisfy the “if controverted” requirement irrespective of Roche’s response. We believe the advisory committee’s note to Rule 407 forecloses this argument by reiterating the parties must present a “genuine issue,” and by recognizing the opposing party’s opportunity to “lay the groundwork for exclusion by making an admission.” Fed. R. Evid. 407 advisory committee’s note. We affirm the trial court’s exclusion of -15- the form to prove feasibility.