Opinion ID: 2539162
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Arkansas Tort Reform Act

Text: Simpson next claims that the circuit judge abused her discretion in failing to address the effect of the Arkansas Tort Reform Act because it went into effect on March 25, 2003, which was during the alleged class period. Thus, Simpson contends that the fact that the act will apply to some class members and not to others defeats certification. This argument must fail, as Simpson has failed to cite this court to where it made this specific argument to the circuit judge. Simpson, instead, directs this court to a hearing before the circuit judge during which the parties presented arguments about the Arkansas Tort Reform Act. That hearing, however, centered on the plaintiffs/appellees' motion to have the act declared unconstitutional and not on whether the fact that it was enacted during the class period defeats any of the Rule 23 requirements. Furthermore, Simpson failed to obtain a final ruling from the circuit judge on this issue. It is well settled that this court will not address an argument on appeal if it has not been argued before the circuit judge or if a party fails to obtain a ruling from that judge. See, e.g., Johnson v. Cincinnati Ins. Co., 375 Ark. 164, 289 S.W.3d 407 (2008).