Opinion ID: 901893
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: 1999 Pipestone Fire

Text: [¶ 36.] In 1999, a fire started in the pig barn of a veterinary clinic in Pipestone, MN. Investigators determined that the cause of this fire was the improper installation of the vent system for the building's power washer. This vent system was installed by PP & H. Chris Rallis, Supreme Pork's expert witness in this case, was hired by PP & H's insurance carrier to investigate the 1999 fire. He concluded PP & H's actions had caused the fire. PP & H's president, Doug Dammann, testified that he was informed that PP & H was the cause of this 1999 fire. It was determined that the cause of the 1999 fire was that proper clearances were not maintained between the escaping heat and combustible materials. Paul Miersma, Master Blaster's president and owner, explained to the trial court that Dammann had informed him PP & H would be making certain [its] employees were putting in the vent systems right before installing the vent system in Supreme Pork's facility. [14] [¶ 37.] Master Blaster alleges it was unfairly required to litigate the cause of the 1999 fire during the trial. Moreover, Master Blaster argues that this fire occurred at a different time, place and under different causal circumstances. Therefore, it argues, this evidence was inadmissible under SDCL 19-12-1 (Rule 401), -2 (Rule 402), and -5 (Rule 404(b)). [¶ 38.] After considering Master Blaster's motion in limine, the trial court concluded that the cause and timeframe of the Supreme Pork installation was similar enough to warrant inclusion under SDCL 19-12-5 (Rule 404(b)). Like the testimony regarding code violations, this testimony was relevant for purposes other than character. Because of the almost identical nature of the incidents, this testimony was relevant to the foreseeability of harm, the risk of the danger with respect to the lack of safety measures, PP & H's lack of knowledge about installing exhaust chimneys in a manner that maintains the required clearances between combustibles and heat, and Master Blaster's lack of due care in selecting a subcontractor. [¶ 39.] Master Blaster concedes Supreme Pork claimed it proffered the evidence to show PP & H's lack of knowledge concerning proper installation methods. (Appellant's Brief, p. 28). Master Blaster has not established that the evidence was not relevant for this purpose or that such knowledge was not relevant to the issues in the case. See infra ¶¶ 46-48. [¶ 40.] Evidence of the 1999 fire also establishes that Master Blaster knew, at the time it subcontracted PP & H, that PP & H's power washer venting work had been the cause of fires, yet Master Blaster retained PP & H to do the work. Master Blaster argues that all that was necessary for Supreme Pork to show in its negligence claim was that `[Master Blaster] and [PP & H] had a duty to use reasonable care under the circumstances to install the flue vents....' Jury Instruction No. 25. This knowledge was, therefore, relevant to the reasonableness of Master Blaster's recommendation to hire PP & H and its eventual subcontracting with them for the installation of flue vents. Because it was relevant for these other purposes, the evidence was admissible under Rule 404(b). [¶ 41.] While this may be a closer call than the code violations, discussed above, we cannot conclude that the trial court abused its discretion. [¶ 42.] Essentially, the dissent implies that the evidence of code violations and the 1999 fire were not admissible on three bases. [15] First, on the basis of SDCL 19-12-1 (Rule 401), the dissent suggests that these two pieces of evidence were irrelevant and, thus, inadmissible under SDCL 19-12-2 (Rule 402). Second, on the basis of SDCL 19-12-5 (Rule 404(b)), the dissent believes this evidence was inadmissible character evidence because it only shows PP & H's propensity to do sloppy work. Finally, the dissent argues that this evidence was unfairly prejudicial and should have been excluded on the basis of SDCL 19-12-3 (Rule 403). Absent a showing of any actual prejudice to Master Blaster and on the basis of the mere admission of the evidence itself, the dissent suggests that the case should be remanded for a new trial. The dissent misconstrues the evidentiary rules, misapplies our standard of review, and errs in its conclusions.