Opinion ID: 159587
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Wyoming Statute 37-12-302

Text: 54 Citing the finding of the jury that U.S. West was 25% at fault for the accident, Energy West argues that U.S. West should have been held liable for all of the damages pursuant to Wyoming Statute 37-12-302, and that Energy West should be held liable for none of the damages. Section 37-12-302 requires persons who plan to excavate to inquire concerning the location of underground utilities before starting the excavation. See Wyo. Stat. Ann. 37-12-302(b) (1998). The statute also provides that a person who fails to make this inquiry and whose excavation causes injury or damage to an underground facility, shall be liable for all damages, including personal injury and property damages, caused by the excavation. Id. 37-12-302(k). In short, Energy West claims that because the jury found U.S. West comparatively negligent, this statute precludes the Hynes from recovering damages from Energy West because U.S. West must be liable for all resulting damages. 55 Pursuant to Energy West's request, the jury was instructed on 37-12-302(k). The record shows, however, that Energy West never argued before the district court that it could not be held liable for any portion of damages suffered by the Hynes if the jury found U.S. West partly liable. This court therefore deems the issue waived for purposes of appeal. 11 See Walker v. Mather, 959 F.2d 894, 896 (10th Cir. 1992) (stating that a federal appellate court generally does not consider an issue not passed upon below).