Brdar v. Cottrell ( 2007 )

Rule 23 order filed NO. 5-04-0415
February 13, 2007;
Motion to publish granted IN THE
March 27, 2007.
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
FIFTH DISTRICT
________________________________________________________________________
CARL BRDAR and VICKY BRDAR, ) Appeal from the
) Circuit Court of
Plaintiffs-Appellees and Cross-Appellants, ) Madison County.
)
v. )
)
COTTRELL, INC., )
)
Defendant-Appellant and Cross-Appellee, )
)
and )
)
CASSENS & SONS, INC.; CASSENS CORPORATION; ) No. 00-L-181
UNKNOWN COMMERCIAL LESSORS IN THE )
CASSENS FAMILY; UNKNOWN CHAIN AND )
RATCHET COMPONENT DISTRIBUTORS AND )
MANUFACTURERS; DAIMLERCHRYSLER )
CORPORATION, f/k/a CHRYSLER CORPORATION; )
and GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, )
)
Defendants. )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- )
COTTRELL, INC., )
)
Third-Party Plaintiff-Appellant, )
)
v. )
)
C.F. BENDER and VULCAN CHAIN CORPORATION, )
)
Third-Party Defendants-Appellees, )
)
and )
)
CASSENS TRANSPORT COMPANY, ) Honorable
) A. A. Matoesian,
Third-Party Defendant. ) Judge, presiding.
________________________________________________________________________
1
JUSTICE CHAPMAN delivered the opinion of the court:
The defendant cargo trailer manufacturer appeals a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs,
a truck driver and his wife, for injuries the driver sustained when a chain broke while he was
attempting to tie down an automobile to a cargo trailer. The defendant argues that the court
erred and abused its discretion by (1) denying its motion to dismiss on grounds of forum non
conveniens, (2) denying a motion to strike the plaintiffs' disclosure of an expert witness and
allowing her to testify, (3) admitting certain documents into evidence, (4) refusing to give
two of its proffered jury instructions, and (5) dismissing its third-party complaint seeking
contribution from two potential chain distributors on the basis of the statute of limitations.
The plaintiffs cross-appeal, arguing that (1) they are entitled to a new trial on loss-of-
consortium and punitive damages and (2) the court abused its discretion in denying their
motion for expert witness rebuttal costs. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand for
further proceedings.
I. BACKGROUND
Defendant Cottrell, Inc. (Cottrell), manufactures cargo trailers that are used for
hauling automobiles. Automobiles are tied down to the cargo trailers using a chain-and-
ratchet system attached to the trailers. One company that purchases cargo trailers from
Cottrell is third-party defendant Cassens Transport Company (Cassens Transport). Plaintiff
Carl Brdar began working as a truck driver hauling cars for Cassens Transport in 1995. He
was based at the company's Smyrna, Tennessee, facility. On May 21, 1999, Carl Brdar was
loading Dodge Durangos onto a Cottrell trailer in Newark, Delaware, when the chain broke.
As a result, Brdar injured his neck and shoulder. A key issue in the resulting lawsuit was
what caused the chain to break–specifically, at issue was whether the ratchet system created
too much force for the type of chain used by Cottrell.
On March 1, 2000, Carl Brdar and his wife, Vicky, filed a complaint against Cottrell,
2
General Motors Corp. (GM), DaimlerChrysler Corp. (DaimlerChrysler), Cassens & Sons,
Inc., and Cassens Corp. The complaint also named "unknown chain[-]and[-]ratchet
component manufacturers and distributors." The complaint contained counts alleging both
negligence and strict liability, one count seeking punitive damages, and one count seeking
loss-of-consortium damages for Vicky Brdar. The prayer for punitive damages was later
stricken without prejudice pursuant to section 2-604.1 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735
ILCS 5/2-604.1 (West 2000)).
In July and August 2000, Cottrell, DaimlerChrysler, Cassens & Sons, Inc., and
Cassens Corp. filed motions to dismiss the action on the basis of forum non conveniens.
They argued that the case should be filed in Tennessee, where Carl Brdar lived and worked.
GM did not file a forum motion or join in any of the motions filed by the other defendants.
The Cassens defendants (both of which are based in Madison County) later admitted that a
Madison County trial would not be inconvenient for them. The trial court denied the forum
motions.
On May 22, 2002, the court entered a case management order. The order provided,
in relevant part, that the plaintiffs were to answer Supreme Court Rule 213 interrogatories
(177 Ill. 2d R. 213) by December 1, 2002, and that the trial was set for June 2, 2003.
On December 4, 2002, in response to an interrogatory propounded by
DaimlerChrysler, the Brdars disclosed their intention to call Linda Weseman and Jerry
Micklow as witnesses. The disclosure indicated that each witness "may testify that the
ratchet system is unreasonably dangerous and caused the plaintiff's injuries." It further
indicated that neither witness had prepared any reports in connection with this litigation but
that both had authored numerous reports in connection with previous litigation involving the
same defendants and the same alleged defects. Those reports, the disclosure stated, were
already in the hands of the attorneys for the defendants.
3
On December 12, 2002, the Brdars sought leave of the court to make these Rule 213
disclosures two days out of time, which the court granted without objection from Cottrell.
(We note that December 1, the date set by the court for the disclosures, fell on a weekend;
thus the December 4 disclosures were two days out of time, rather than three.) On February
28, 2003, the Brdars filed a supplementary disclosure regarding Linda Weseman's testimony.
This disclosure indicated that she would testify, "The ratchet tie[-]down systems[,] as
designed and as typically used by drivers[,] are unreasonably dangerous and defective[,] as
such systems are prone to sudden releases, malfunctions, broken chains[,] and excessive
force."
On April 21, 2003, the Brdars filed a motion to reinstate their claim for punitive
damages. The court reserved its ruling on the motion until the trial.
On May 29, 2003, GM filed a motion to strike the disclosure of Weseman, arguing
that the December 2002 disclosure was inadequate for failing to reference any reports
prepared for this case. In its motion, GM also pointed out that Supreme Court Rule 213(f)
(177 Ill. 2d R. 213(f)) requires parties to disclose the opinions of expert witnesses; however,
it did not specifically allege either that the motion failed to disclose Weseman's opinion or
that the disclosure provided was inadequate. DaimlerChrysler filed a substantially identical
motion, although the record is not clear on the exact timing of DaimlerChrysler's motion.
When GM filed its May 29 motion, the trial was still set for June 2. Although Cottrell filed
a motion to adopt the motions of GM and DaimlerChrysler, it did not do so prior to the June
2 trial setting.
On the eve of the trial, Cottrell learned that Cassens Transport had located the chain
that had been involved in Carl Brdar's accident at its Smyrna, Tennessee, terminal.
According to Cottrell, counsel for Cassens Transport had previously indicated in unrelated
litigation that it had located only one broken chain and that was not the chain involved in
4
Carl Brdar's accident. As a result of finding the broken chain at issue, Cottrell learned that
it was not the chain originally attached to the cargo trailer when it was manufactured. At the
time the trailer involved was manufactured, Cottrell purchased its chains exclusively from
Columbus McKinnon, which stamped all the chains it manufactured with its initials, CM.
The chain involved was not stamped with those initials. Thus, it had to have been purchased
as a replacement by Cassens Transport. As a result of this discovery, the trial was continued
until September to allow Cottrell to file third-party complaints.
On June 5, 2003, Cottrell filed a motion to apply Tennessee law to the case. On the
same day, Cottrell filed a motion in limine to exclude certain industry reports about which
it expected the Brdars' retained expert to testify. Cottrell argued that there was no showing
that the products or accidents described in the various reports were similar to the Cottrell
ratchet system at issue here or to Carl Brdar's accident.
During the first week in June, the Brdars reached a settlement with all named
defendants except Cottrell. On June 9, the court entered an order finding that the settlements
were in good faith and dismissing the claims against those defendants. The court also
entered a written order resetting the trial for September 8 and denying a request by Cottrell
to reopen discovery among the parties already in the lawsuit. On the same day, Cottrell filed
a motion to adopt DaimlerChrysler's and GM's motions to strike the disclosure of Weseman.
On August 13, 2003, Cottrell filed a third-party complaint against Cassens Transport,
Vulcan Chain Corp. (Vulcan Chain), and C.F. Bender. Vulcan Chain and C.F. Bender are
chain distributors from whom Cassens Transport purchased replacement chains for its cargo
trailers. Each of the three third-party defendants filed a motion to dismiss the third-party
complaint on the ground that the statute of limitations on the claims had already run. On
September 8, the court granted the third-party defendants' motions to dismiss, denied
Cottrell's motion to apply Tennessee law, and reset the trial for February 2004.
5
The matter came to trial on February 2, 2004. The court denied the pending motions
in limine to bar Weseman's testimony and exclude the industry reports and any testimony
related to them, ruling that the industry reports would be admitted for the purpose of showing
that Cottrell had notice of the problems with its ratchet system.
The Brdars called to the stand their retained expert, Linda Weseman. As she took the
stand, Cottrell renewed its previous objections to her testimony. Weseman is a mechanical
engineer who specializes in biomechanics, a field that overlaps with ergonomics. She
explained the way the ratchet system works. The ratchet system includes a winch bar, which
magnifies the amount of force the driver is able to apply while tying down cars to the trailer
so the force is sufficient to hold the vehicles in place. She testified–without objection–that
the gear ratio of this system is 30 to 1. That means that for every pound of force actually
applied by the driver, 30 pounds of force are applied to the chain. She explained that this
ratio could be increased either by using a longer winch bar or by extending the winch bar by
adding a piece of pipe to it.
Weseman explained the concept of a "working-load limit" for chains used in the tie-
down assembly. This is the limit that a given chain can safely handle when the chains are
actually used to haul vehicles on the trailers. The working-load limit is half of the stress-test
limit, which is the amount of weight the chain can hold when brand new. Weseman further
explained why the working-load limit is only half the stress test limit. First, the ratchet
system involves wrapping the chain around a mechanism to hold it in place at one end, which
applies high stress concentration on the points of the chain that make contact with the system.
Second, as the trailers are driven over bumps in the road, the tied-down vehicles are jostled,
which increases the amount of tension in the chain. The working-load limit is the amount
of force that can safely be applied to the chain taking into account the aforementioned factors
that increase tension above that amount.
6
Most significantly, Weseman testified that chains generally break due to wearing that
occurs over time as a result of force in excess of the working load. She explained that each
time too much force is applied to the chain–especially to the welds, which are the least
flexible part of a chain link–"you are subject to teeny-tiny little microscopic fractures"
developing in the weld which, over time, accumulate to the point where the chain can break.
Weseman testified that the working-load limit for system 7 chains, the type of chain used on
Cottrell trailers, is 3,150 pounds. In order to tighten the chain to achieve that level, the driver
needs to apply 105 pounds of pressure (105 x 30 = 3,150), but Cassens Transport drivers are
required to be able to exert between 46 and 150 pounds of pressure to tie down the vehicles
they transport.
Weseman testified that the precise amount of force Carl Brdar was exerting on the
winch bar when he was injured could only be determined if someone had used strain-testing
equipment to measure it while he was loading the Durango. She testified, however, that the
range could be estimated based on the amount of force necessary to tie down the Durango.
She testified that the amount of force necessary to tie down a smaller vehicle would be 70
to 90 pounds. Thus, the amount of force needed to tie down the Durango SUV w ould be
more than that; she gave a possible range of 90 to 180 pounds and opined that it was most
likely in the range of 150 to 170 pounds.
At the close of the plaintiffs' case in chief, the court denied the Brdars' motion to
reinstate their prayer for punitive damages. In ruling, the court stated that statutory language
provided that, in order to recover punitive damages for an action arising after March 9, 1995,
a plaintiff had to prove "by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted, quote,
with an evil motive, or with a reckless and outrageous indifference to a highly unreasonable
risk of harm, and with a conscious indifference to the rights and safety of others." (Emphasis
added.) This statement tracks the language of former section 2-1115.05(b) of the Code of
7
Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-1115.05(b) (West 1996)). Counsel for the plaintiffs
attempted to call to the court's attention that the legislation that enacted that statute had been
declared unconstitutional, but the court interrupted and denied the motion.
During its case in chief, Cottrell called Jerry Purswell as an expert witness. He
testified that the gear ratio was really 17.8 to 1, not 30 to 1 as Weseman had testified. He
explained that he calculated this on the basis of various measurements, including the ratchet
head, which had a diameter of 3d inches. After hearing this testimony, the Brdars recalled
Weseman as a rebuttal witness. Weseman testified that Purswell calculated his 17.8-to-1
gear ratio using the wrong end of the ratchet head. She stated that he should have used the
measurement of the other end, which had a diameter of only one inch, and that, therefore,
Purswell's calculations were not correct.
On February 6, the jury returned a verdict of $1,486,584.40 for Carl Brdar and $0 for
Vicky Brdar. The court entered a judgment on the verdict the same day.
On February 25, 2004, Cottrell filed a motion for an extension of time in which to file
a posttrial motion. The basis for the delay was a need to get trial transcripts, which were not
yet available. The court granted the motion with no objection from the Brdars. Although
Cottrell served the Brdars with notice of its motion for an extension of time, it did not serve
Vulcan Chain or C.F. Bender.
On March 5, 2004, the Brdars filed a motion for costs incurred in calling Weseman
as a rebuttal witness. They contended that they were required to call her in rebuttal as a
result of surprise testimony by Cottrell's witness, Jerry Purswell. Cottrell filed subsequent
motions for an extension of time to file posttrial motions on March 24 and April 16. On
April 26, 2004, the court entered an order granting the extension of time sought by Cottrell.
The same day, Cottrell filed its posttrial motion seeking a judgment notwithstanding the
verdict or, in the alternative, a new trial.
8
On May 14, 2004, Vulcan Chain filed a motion to strike Cottrell's posttrial motion on
the grounds that Vulcan Chain had not been served with notice of the motion. On May 24,
the Brdars filed a motion for a new trial limited to punitive damages and loss-of-consortium
damages. The Brdars never expressly sought leave to file a late posttrial motion; however,
they filed a motion seeking a nunc pro tunc order by the court making the order granting an
extension of time to file a late posttrial motion applicable to all the parties and a motion
requesting that the court make a Supreme Court Rule 304(a) finding (155 Ill. 2d R. 304(a)).
On June 30, 2004, the court ruled on all the pending motions. Pursuant to the Brdars'
request, it made a finding that there was no just reason to delay the appeal of the order (see
155 Ill. 2d R. 304(a)). It entered a nunc pro tunc order rendering the extension of time
previously granted to Cottrell applicable to all the parties. Finally, it denied Cottrell's
posttrial motion, the Brdars' motion for costs, the Brdar's motion for a new trial, and Vulcan
Chain's motion to strike Cottrell's motion. Later that day, Cottrell filed its notice of appeal.
The Brdars filed a notice of cross-appeal on July 7.
II. JURISDICTION
Vulcan Chain argues that we should dismiss this appeal for a lack of jurisdiction, and
Cottrell argues that we should dismiss the Brdars' cross-appeal for a lack of jurisdiction.
Because both arguments center on the timing of the various posttrial motions that were filed,
we consider them together. We find that we have jurisdiction.
Vulcan Chain argues that because it did not receive notice that Cottrell had filed
motions for additional time to file its posttrial motion until it was notified by the court on
April 22, 2004, it believed the February 6 order became final when 30 days lapsed after its
entry. Citing Supreme Court Rule 104(b) (134 Ill. 2d R. 104(b)) and Savage v. Pho, 312 Ill.
App. 3d 553, 727 N.E.2d 1052 (2000), Vulcan Chain argues that the orders granting Cottrell
extensions of time to file its posttrial motion should be voided because Vulcan Chain and the
9
other third-party defendants had not been served with notice of Cottrell's requests for
additional time. Voiding the orders granting the extensions would render Cottrell's posttrial
motion untimely. Because only a timely posttrial motion directed at the verdict tolls the time
limit for filing an appeal, this would also mean this court would lack jurisdiction to consider
Cottrell's appeal. See 210 Ill. 2d R. 274 (providing that "each timely postjudgment motion
shall toll the finality and appealability of the judgment" (emphasis added)); 155 Ill. 2d R. 301
(providing that filing a notice of appeal is jurisdictional).
Cottrell, however, argues that an order allowing an extension of time for filing a
posttrial motion should be voided on the basis of a lack of notice only if the party
complaining that it lacked notice has suffered prejudice as a result. See Savage, 312 Ill. App.
3d at 557, 727 N.E.2d at 1055. Cottrell further contends that Vulcan Chain suffered no
prejudice because the notice it got was sufficient to allow it to appear at the hearing on the
posttrial motion to oppose it and because the motion was denied, leaving in place the
February 6 order.
Both of these arguments overlook the Brdars' timely March 5 motion for expert
witness rebuttal costs. This timely motion injected into the action a new claim. Thus, the
February 6 order could not be appealed by any party until the court either disposed of the
claim or entered a finding that there was no just reason to delay the appeal or enforcement
of the order (155 Ill. 2d R. 304(a)). See Marsh v. Evangelical Covenant Church of Hinsdale,
138 Ill. 2d 458, 468-69, 563 N.E.2d 459, 465 (1990). The court did both on June 30, and
Cottrell filed its appeal the same day. Thus, Cottrell's notice of appeal was timely, and we
have jurisdiction to consider the appeal.
Likewise, we find that we have jurisdiction to hear the Brdars' cross-appeal. Once a
timely appeal is filed, any party may file a cross-appeal within 10 days of receiving notice
of the appeal or within the time that would be allowed for that party to file its own appeal,
10
whichever is later. 155 Ill. 2d R. 303(a)(3). The Brdars filed their cross-appeal seven days
after Cottrell filed its appeal. It is thus timely, and we need not consider Cottrell's arguments
regarding the timing of the Brdars' motion for a new trial on punitive and loss-of-consortium
damages.
III. COTTRELL'S APPEAL
Cottrell argues that the court erred by (1) allowing Linda Weseman to testify, (2)
admitting 18 documents that it contends were hearsay evidence without proper foundation,
(3) refusing to give Cottrell's proffered jury instructions on sole proximate cause and the
necessity for the plaintiffs to prove that the trailer was in the same condition when the chain
broke that it was in when it left Cottrell's possession, (4) dismissing its third-party complaint
against C.F. Bender and Vulcan Chain (we note that Cottrell voluntarily dismissed its third-
party complaint against Cassens Transport and that Cassens Transport is not a party to this
appeal), and (5) denying its motion to dismiss on forum non conveniens grounds. We find
none of these arguments persuasive.
A. Expert Witness Linda Weseman
Cottrell first argues that the court abused its discretion by allowing Weseman to
testify. Although Cottrell's brief contains a litany of complaints about her
testimony–including an implicit challenge to her qualifications as an expert and a charge that
its attorneys did not have the opportunity to depose her–Cottrell states in its reply brief that
its appeal is limited to the following four issues: (1) the adequacy of the Brdars' disclosures
about Weseman's testimony pursuant to Rule 213(f), (2) the similarity between Carl Brdar's
accident and the prior accidents described in industry reports discussed during Weseman's
testimony, (3) whether Weseman's methodology is generally accepted in her field, and (4)
whether she assumed facts not in evidence in testifying about Carl Brdar's accident. We
address these arguments in turn.
11
Whether to admit expert testimony pursuant to Rule 213 is a decision within the
discretion of the trial court. Unless the court abuses this discretion, we will not overturn its
decision. Sullivan v. Edward Hospital, 209 Ill. 2d 100, 109, 806 N.E.2d 645, 651 (2004).
In determining whether an abuse of discretion has occurred, we consider the purposes meant
to be served by the discovery rules, including Rule 213. See Gee v. Treece, 365 Ill. App. 3d
1029, 1038, 851 N.E.2d 605, 613 (2006). The rules are intended to work together to
discourage tactical gamesmanship and avoid surprise (see Sullivan, 209 Ill. 2d at 109-10, 806
N.E.2d at 652) by ensuring that discovery is completed no later than 60 days prior to a trial
(Gee, 365 Ill. App. 3d at 1036, 851 N.E.2d at 611). With these principles in mind, we
consider the timing of the Brdars' disclosures and Cottrell's challenges to Weseman's
testimony in the proceedings below.
As previously noted, none of the defendants objected when the Brdars filed their
initial disclosure two days late or when they sought leave to file the disclosure late one week
after that. This occurred in December 2002, with the trial set for June 2003, seven months
away. Late in February 2003 the Brdars filed the supplemental disclosure Cottrell now
challenges. At that time the trial was still set for early June 2003, three months away. No
party lodged any objection to the disclosure until May 29, 2003, just days before the trial was
set to begin, and Cottrell did not formally adopt its codefendants' motions until after the trial
had been continued. The purpose for disclosures under Rule 213 is to permit opposing
parties to depose the disclosed experts and prepare to respond to their anticipated testimony.
Even assuming the disclosures were untimely or inadequate, there was ample time for
Cottrell to object promptly and seek fuller disclosure in time to prepare to respond to
Weseman's testimony at the trial. Cottrell made no attempts to do so prior to the original trial
setting in this matter (which, as stated earlier, was not continued until the eve of the trial).
In this regard, the instant case is analogous to this court's previous decision in
12
Hastings v. Gulledge, 272 Ill. App. 3d 861, 651 N.E.2d 778 (1995). There, the plaintiff
argued on appeal that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the defendant's expert
to testify after he had refused to answer questions posed to him during his deposition.
Hastings, 272 Ill. App. 3d at 867, 651 N.E.2d at 783. Rather than ask the court for an order
to compel the witness to answer, the plaintiff "waited until the day of trial" to ask that his
testimony be stricken. Hastings, 272 Ill. App. 3d at 867, 651 N.E.2d at 783.
On appeal, this court found that the trial court properly exercised its discretion in
refusing to strike or exclude the witness's testimony absent a request to compel compliance
prior to the trial. Hastings, 272 Ill. App. 3d at 867, 651 N.E.2d at 784. Here, too, Cottrell
never sought an order to compel a more detailed disclosure, waiting instead until after the
original trial setting had been continued, due to its own last-minute discovery of the chain,
to seek to exclude her testimony instead. This is the very type of tactical gamesmanship the
discovery rules are meant to discourage.
We also note that the June 5 motion to exclude the industry reports Cottrell expected
Weseman to testify about actually names several of the reports, which belies any claim that
Cottrell–which had deposed and cross-examined Weseman in four previous cases involving
the same issues–was surprised by the substance of her testimony. In light of these
circumstances, we conclude that the court properly exercised its discretion in denying the
motions to exclude Weseman's testimony on grounds of late and/or inadequate disclosure.
Cottrell further contends, however, that the court should have limited her testimony
because (1) the industry reports and other documents about which she testified did not deal
with incidents or equipment substantially similar to those at issue, (2) her methodology was
not widely accepted in the field, and (3) her testimony assumed facts not in evidence relating
to Carl Brdar's accident. We find that Cottrell has waived all three arguments.
Although Cottrell renewed the objections to Weseman's testimony and the exhibits on
13
the grounds raised in the pretrial motions, it did not make any new objections during her
testimony related to any of these arguments. Cottrell's motion to exclude the reports and any
testimony about them raised only the admissibility issue; it did not argue that W eseman's
opinion was baseless. Further, while Weseman did state that she relied in part on these
reports in forming her opinion, nearly all of her testimony about them related to how widely
known the problems with the ratchet system were in the car-hauling industry and whether
Cottrell had notice of these reports. In fact, she described her testimony about the way in
which chains could break as "basic metallurgic science." To the extent that Cottrell argues
that Weseman's opinion itself was undermined by any differences between the accidents
described in the reports and Carl Brdar's accident, the argument is waived. We will consider
the propriety of allowing Weseman to testify about the contents of the documents in the next
section.
With respect to Cottrell's remaining arguments about Weseman's testimony, the issues
of Weseman's methodology and the alleged assumption of facts not in evidence were never
raised at the trial and are therefore waived. We note in passing, however, that Cottrell's
argument quotes out of context Weseman's testimony about the facts surrounding Brdar's
accident. During Cottrell's vigorous and extensive cross-examination, Weseman admitted
that there were "a lot of details" she did not know about the accident–all of which she
considered unnecessary to her determination that excessive force on the chain caused it to
break for reasons she explained. She acknowledged that Carl Brdar testified that he did not
believe he was applying excessive force when he tied down the Durango, but she emphasized
that this meant only that he was using no more force than he believed was necessary to hold
the Durango in place. This is consistent with Weseman's conclusion that the amount of force
needed to tie down the Durango was above the working-load limit for the system 7 chain.
In sum, we find that the trial court acted within its discretion in allowing Weseman
14
to testify.
B. Plaintiffs' Documentary Evidence
Cottrell next argues that the trial court erred in admitting 18 different documents into
evidence and allowing Weseman to testify about the contents of these documents without a
limiting instruction. Cottrell further argues that the error was compounded when the court
allowed the documents to go to the jury room and when counsel for the Brdars referred to
them during closing arguments. We disagree.
In ruling on the admissibility of the 18 documents, the court expressly stated that it
was admitting them for the nonhearsay purpose of showing that Cottrell had notice of the
flaws in its chain-and-ratchet system. As the Brdars point out, the court admitted the
evidence prior to ruling on their motion to reinstate their claim for punitive damages.
Cottrell's knowledge of the potential danger posed by the chain-and-ratchet system was
relevant both to the punitive-damages claim and to the Brdars' allegations that Cottrell was
negligent. Cottrell requested a limiting instruction telling the jury that the documents could
be considered only to show how expert witness Weseman (who testified that she relied on
them in forming her opinions) arrived at the opinions she testified to and could not be
considered as substantive evidence. See Illinois Pattern Jury Instructions, Civil, No. 2.04
(2000) (hereinafter IPI Civil (2000)). The court refused this instruction. Because that is not
the purpose for which the court admitted the documents, we find no error.
Cottrell further contends that the error was compounded by the court's decision to
allow the documents to go to the jury room "for the jury to consider free of any evidentiary
restrictions." We disagree. The trial court has great discretion to determine what documents
may be sent to the jury room. Toppel v. Redondo, 247 Ill. App. 3d 211, 214, 617 N.E.2d 403,
405 (1993). Moreover, we note that Cottrell did not request an instruction that would have
told the jury to consider the documents only for the purpose of determining whether Cottrell
15
had notice of the potential dangers posed by the chain-and-ratchet system (see IPI Civil
(2000) No. 2.02), nor does it argue on appeal that the jury should have been so instructed.
Cottrell's failure to request a proper limiting instruction does not render the court's decision
to allow the documents to go to the jury room an abuse of discretion.
Finally, Cottrell points to four references in the Brdars' closing arguments to the
material in the challenged exhibits. Although these references emphasized that the problems
with the type of ratchet system Cottrell used on its trailers were widely known in the car-
hauling industry, counsel did argue that three of the reports agreed with Weseman about the
30-to-1 gear ratio. However, Cottrell does not argue that the closing arguments themselves
were prejudicial enough to require a reversal, and Cottrell did not object to the arguments at
the trial. We conclude that the trial court properly admitted the 18 exhibits and denied the
limiting instruction that Cottrell requested.
C. Jury Instructions
Cottrell next argues that the court erred in refusing to give two of its proffered
instructions. Both relate to the condition of the replacement chain. Cottrell asked that the
jury be instructed that the plaintiffs were required to prove that the product (the Cottrell
trailer) was in the same condition when it left Cottrell's control that it was in when Carl Brdar
was injured. See IPI Civil (2000) Nos. 400.01, 400.02. Cottrell also requested that the jury
be instructed that if it found that the sole proximate cause of the accident was someone or
something other than the negligence of the defendant, it should find Cottrell not liable. See
IPI Civil (2000) Nos. 12.04, 12.05. The theories behind these proffered instructions were
that (1) the chain had a defective weld, which caused it to break, and/or (2) the replacement
chain was the wrong type of chain for the ratchet system. We disagree.
A party is entitled to jury instructions that clearly and fairly instruct the jury on each
theory of the case that is supported by the evidence. It is within the discretion of the trial
16
court to determine which issues are raised by the evidence presented and which jury
instructions are thus warranted. Brax v. Kennedy, 363 Ill. App. 3d 343, 351, 841 N.E.2d 137,
144 (2005). A defendant is only entitled to a sole-proximate-cause instruction if there is
competent evidence to support its theory that someone or something other than the defendant
was the sole proximate cause of the plaintiff's injuries. Leonardi v. Loyola University of
Chicago, 168 Ill. 2d 83, 101, 658 N.E.2d 450, 459 (1995). Cottrell argues that there was
evidence to support two possible theories on a sole proximate cause of Carl Brdar's accident:
(1) the chain had a defective weld and/or (2) the replacement chain purchased by Cassens
Transport was not a system 7 chain, the type of chain specified for use with the Cottrell
ratchet system. The only testimony that the weld was defective came from Elwood Feldman,
who testified as Cottrell's corporate representative and acknowledged that he is not an
engineer. He testified that when chains break at the weld it is usually because the weld is
defective. Feldman's lay opinion testimony regarding the underlying cause of the chain break
does not rise to the level of competent evidence supporting a defective-weld theory.
With respect to the type of chain involved, two witnesses testified that it looked like
a system 7 chain, and it was stamped with a number 7. Cassens Transport representative
Brian Suhre testified that he could not specifically recall purchasing the replacement chain
at issue–and, therefore, that he did not specifically remember purchasing a system 7 chain–
but he also testified that it was Cassens Transport's policy to purchase system 7 chains for
Cottrell trailers. Similarly, although Elwood Feldman testified that he could not say with
certainty whether the chain was a system 7 chain, he admitted that it looked like one. The
somewhat equivocal testimony of Feldman and Suhre did little to support Cottrell's theory
that the chain was not a system 7 chain. We find that this testimony did not support a sole-
proximate-cause instruction.
Likewise, Cottrell was not entitled to the requested instruction about the condition of
17
the trailer, due to the nature of the defect the plaintiffs alleged. Their theory was that the
chain broke because the ratchet system was designed in a manner that caused it to apply
excessive force to the type of chain that it was meant to be used with, the system 7 chain. As
previously noted, there was no real doubt regarding the type of replacement chain involved,
and Cottrell manager Elwood Feldman testified that Cottrell expected that its customers
would need to replace chains and anticipated that they would purchase replacement chains
from suppliers other than Cottrell or Columbus McKinnon. In a products liability case, the
manufacturer remains liable if the product is modified in a manner that is foreseeable after
it leaves the manufacturer's control. Owens v. Midwest Tank & Manufacturing Co., 192 Ill.
App. 3d 1039, 1044-45, 549 N.E.2d 774, 778 (1989). We conclude that the trial court
properly refused both instructions.
D. Third-Party Complaint
Cottrell argues that the court erred in dismissing its third-party complaint against C.F.
Bender and Vulcan Chain on the ground that Cottrell did not file its complaint until after the
statute of limitations for contribution claims had expired. We disagree.
The applicable statute of limitations provides that a contribution claim must be filed
within two years after the party is served in the underlying action or within two years after
the party knew or should have known of an action or omission giving rise to a contribution
claim. 735 ILCS 5/13-204(b) (West 2002). Under the discovery rule, the statute of
limitations begins to run once a party has sufficient knowledge to put a reasonable party on
inquiry to determine whether a cause of action exists. Knox College v. Celotex Corp., 88 Ill.
2d 407, 416, 430 N.E.2d 976, 980-81 (1981). As Cottrell correctly points out, the question
of when the party seeking contribution has sufficient knowledge to trigger the statute of
limitations is ordinarily a question of fact for the jury. Knox College, 88 Ill. 2d at 416-17,
430 N.E.2d at 981. A contribution claim can only be dismissed by a court before trial if it
18
is apparent from undisputed facts that the third-party plaintiff reasonably should have known
that it had a contribution claim more than two years before filing its third-party complaint.
Hochbaum v. Casiano, 292 Ill. App. 3d 589, 593-94, 686 N.E.2d 626, 629 (1997); LaSalle
National Bank v. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, 262 Ill. App. 3d 899, 903, 635 N.E.2d 564,
567 (1994). We believe that standard is met here.
Vulcan Chain argues that when a complaint alleges negligence against other parties,
that knowledge is sufficient to put the third-party plaintiff on inquiry notice regarding the
possibility of a contribution claim. See Bradley v. Sandoz Nutrition Corp., 274 Ill. App. 3d
381, 386-87, 653 N.E.2d 858, 862-63 (1995). We do not find the instant case to be precisely
analogous to Bradley. There, an amended complaint alleged negligent treatment by a
physician. The original defendant (the manufacturer of a diet supplement) thus had actual
knowledge of its contribution claim against the physician and his employer immediately upon
being served with the amended complaint. Bradley, 274 Ill. App. 3d at 386, 653 N.E.2d at
862. In the instant case, the Brdars' complaint alleged negligence by unknown
manufacturers, distributors, and/or suppliers of chain-and-ratchet components. Thus, Cottrell
did not learn the specific identity of potential third-party defendants from the Brdars'
complaint. Nevertheless, the complaint gave Cottrell notice that it might have a contribution
claim against the manufacturer or distributor of the chain. This knowledge should have
alerted a reasonable party of the need to begin an inquiry into the identity of potential third-
party defendants.
It is true, as Cottrell points out, that it did not know for a fact that the chain involved
was a replacement chain purchased by Cassens Transport until it learned of the existence of
the chain in June 2003. However, Cottrell was well aware that there was at least a reasonable
possibility that it was a replacement chain. As noted, a Cottrell representative testified that
the company expected that its customers would purchase replacement chains for the trailers
19
over time. A simple inquiry could have led it to learn the identities of the distributors from
whom Cassens Transport purchased its replacement chains long before August 2003, thus
allowing a timely third-party complaint against these manufacturers and/or distributors. We
do not believe that these uncontroverted facts lead to any conclusion other than that Cottrell
was on inquiry notice once it was served with notice in July 2000. See LaSalle National
Bank, 262 Ill. App. 3d at 903, 635 N.E.2d at 567. Therefore, we find that the court properly
granted the third-party defendants' motions to dismiss.
E. Forum Non Conveniens
Cottrell argues that the court abused its discretion in denying its motion to dismiss on
the basis of forum non conveniens so the case could instead be filed in Tennessee. Cottrell
did not appeal the trial court's forum rulings pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 306(a)(2) (166
Ill. 2d R. 306(a)(2)). It now argues, nevertheless, that it is entitled to a reversal because it
was prejudiced by the court's application of Illinois law. We disagree.
As Cottrell correctly notes, Illinois courts have considered challenges to forum
decisions postverdict. See Eads v. Consolidated R.R. Corp., 365 Ill. App. 3d 19, 26, 847
N.E.2d 601, 608 (2006); Merritt v. Hopkins Goldenberg, P.C., 362 Ill. App. 3d 902, 912, 841
N.E.2d 1003, 1012 (2005); Haight v. Aldridge Electric Co., 215 Ill. App. 3d 353, 357-59,
575 N.E.2d 243, 246-47 (1991). Thus, the decision to forego an interlocutory appeal of the
forum issue does not act as a waiver. The fact that this case comes to us after a full trial is
nevertheless extremely relevant. Each of the cases cited by Cottrell required a reversal on
other grounds. Here, although we will remand for further proceedings that might result in
a new trial limited to punitive damages, we need not remand for a new trial on all issues.
This distinction is critical because the hallmark of the doctrine of forum non conveniens is
convenience. Dawdy v. Union Pacific R.R. Co., 207 Ill. 2d 167, 173-74, 797 N.E.2d 687,
694 (2003) (explaining that the "central purpose" of forum non conveniens analysis is to
20
ensure a convenient trial). Were we to reverse the verdict on grounds of forum non
conveniens alone, we would be requiring the parties to go through an otherwise unnecessary
second trial in a different forum after going through a Madison County trial. To hold that
a doctrine designed to promote convenience can lead to that result would be absurd.
Cottrell argues, however, that it was not only inconvenienced by the Madison County
trial but also prejudiced by it as well. As noted, this argument focuses largely on Cottrell's
contention that Tennessee law should have been applied. Cottrell asserts that a Tennessee
court "undoubtedly" would have applied Tennessee law. However, Cottrell offers no basis
for this bare allegation. The need to apply another state's law is often an important
consideration in a decision to grant forum non conveniens motions. See Moore v. Chicago
& North Western Transportation Co., 99 Ill. 2d 73, 457 N.E.2d 417 (1983). It does not
follow, however, that an Illinois court cannot or will not apply the law of another state when
appropriate. The doctrine of forum non conveniens is not meant to be a means of ensuring
that courts correctly determine choice-of-law issues. M oreover, Cottrell does not specifically
appeal the trial court's choice-of-law ruling. Thus, it cannot argue that this ruling was
incorrect in an effort to seek a new trial in Tennessee based on its speculative claim that a
Tennessee court "undoubtedly" would have ruled differently with regards to the choice-of-
law issue. We conclude that Cottrell is not entitled to a reversal on the ground of forum non
conveniens.
IV. THE BRDARS' CROSS-APPEAL
In their cross-appeal, the Brdars argue that (1) the court erred in refusing to submit
their claim for punitive damages to the jury, (2) Vicky Brdar is entitled to a new trial on her
claim for loss of consortium, and (3) the court abused its discretion in denying the Brdars'
motion for sanctions relating to their costs in securing the rebuttal testimony of their expert
witness, Linda Weseman.
21
A. Punitive Damages
The Brdars first argue that the court erred in striking their claim for punitive damages
and that they are entitled to a new trial limited to punitive damages. This is so, they contend,
because the court applied the wrong law in denying their motion to reinstate their claim for
punitive damages. Specifically, when it ruled on the Brdars' request, the court relied on
section 2-1115.05 of the Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-1115.05 (West 1996)). As
previously discussed, when the court ruled on the motion, it quoted the statutory language
nearly verbatim. The legislation enacting that statute was found to be unconstitutional in its
entirety in Best v. Taylor Machine Works, 179 Ill. 2d 367, 689 N.E.2d 1057 (1997).
The provision required plaintiffs to demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that
the defendant acted with evil motive or "a reckless and outrageous indifference to a highly
unreasonable risk of harm and with a conscious indifference to the rights and safety of
others." 735 ILCS 5/2-1115.05(b) (West 1996). As the Brdars point out, when a law is
declared unconstitutional, the law as it existed prior to the enactment of the unconstitutional
statute is to be given effect (Mermelstein v. Rothner, 349 Ill. App. 3d 800, 802 n.1, 812
N.E.2d 461, 462 n.1 (2004) (citing In re G.O., 191 Ill. 2d 37, 43, 727 N.E.2d 1003, 1007
(2000))). Case law predating the statute required only that plaintiffs demonstrate that the
defendant's conduct was willful and wanton or outrageous or that the defendant acted with
actual malice, fraud, deliberate violence, or gross negligence indicative of a wanton disregard
for the rights of others. Loitz v. Remington Arms Co., 138 Ill. 2d 404, 415-16, 563 N.E.2d
397, 402 (1990) (relying on Restatement (Second) of Torts §908, Comment b, at 464-65
(1979), and Bresland v. Ideal Roller & Graphics Co., 150 Ill. App. 3d 445, 457, 501 N.E.2d
830, 839 (1986)); Kelsay v. Motorola, Inc., 74 Ill. 2d 172, 186, 384 N.E.2d 353, 359 (1978);
Kochan v. Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corp., 242 Ill. App. 3d 781, 793, 610 N.E.2d 683, 691
(1993). Most significantly, the clear-and-convincing-evidence standard is not applicable.
22
While we agree with the Brdars that the court applied the wrong standard in denying
their request to submit their punitive-damages claim to the jury, we do not agree that they are
automatically entitled to a new trial on that issue. Section 2-604.1 requires courts to
determine whether there is a reasonable likelihood that a plaintiff will prevail on a claim for
punitive damages before allowing that claim to go to the jury. 735 ILCS 5/2-604.1 (West
2002). It is not clear what conclusion the court would have reached had it applied the correct
law. Thus, we remand with directions for the court to make the determination required of
it by section 2-604.1. If the court concludes that there is a reasonable likelihood the Brdars
will recover punitive damages, only then they will be entitled to a new trial limited to that
issue.
B. Vicky Brdar's Loss-of-Consortium Claim
The Brdars next argue that the verdict awarding no loss-of-consortium damages to
Vicky Brdar was against the manifest weight of the evidence. They point out that her
testimony regarding the effect of her husband's injuries on her life was uncontroverted, and
they note that the verdict is inconsistent with the verdict of more than one million dollars in
compensatory damages for Carl. They contend, therefore, that Vicky is entitled to a new trial
on her claim. See Johnson v. May, 223 Ill. App. 3d 477, 488-89, 585 N.E.2d 224, 232
(1992); Casey v. Pohlman, 198 Ill. App. 3d 503, 509, 555 N.E.2d 1221, 1225 (1990); Pease
v. Ace Hardware Home Center of Round Lake No. 252c, 147 Ill. App. 3d 546, 555-56, 498
N.E.2d 343, 349-50 (1986). We find that the Brdars are not entitled to the relief they seek.
Vicky Brdar testified briefly at the trial. She testified that, because of his injuries,
Carl was no longer able to play golf, basketball, or volleyball, activities the Brdars regularly
participated in prior to the accident. She also testified that he could no longer work on the
couple's cars, fix things around the house, or help her work in the yard, as he had done
previously. When asked what has made the greatest impact on her life, she said that the
23
hardest thing was seeing that he was in pain and being unable to do anything to alleviate it.
As previously noted, this testimony was uncontroverted.
The jury in this case received verdict forms allowing it to designate damages to both
Carl Brdar and Vicky Brdar. However, the Brdars did not tender any measure-of-damages
instruction for the loss-of-consortium issue, and consequently, none was given by the court.
Further, in closing arguments, counsel for the Brdars made only a passing reference to the
damages suffered by Vicky. The jury was thus left with no guidance on the issue of the
amount of damages, if any, that Vicky was entitled to as separate and distinct from her
husband's compensatory damages. The jury cannot be expected to know the law without
instruction. On appeal, a party is not entitled to relief for an error caused by the party's own
failure to act. Compton v. Ubilluz, 353 Ill. App. 3d 863, 869, 819 N.E.2d 767, 774-75
(2004); Vojas v. K mart Corp., 312 Ill. App. 3d 544, 549, 727 N.E.2d 397, 401 (2000).
The Brdars argue that these cases are distinguishable from the instant case because
in each of those cases the appellant challenged an improper jury instruction, while here the
Brdars contend only that the verdict was against the manifest weight of the evidence. We
believe that this is a distinction without a difference. The principle that a party must object
to an improper jury instruction and tender a proper one is meant to prevent a party from
gaining an advantage by obtaining a reversal due to its own failure to act at the trial.
Compton, 353 Ill. App. 3d at 869, 819 N.E.2d at 775. This principle is equally applicable
here. Thus, Vicky Brdar is not entitled to a new trial on the issue of loss-of-consortium
damages.
C. The Brdars' Motion for Costs
The Brdars next argue that the court abused its discretion in denying their motion for
costs pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 219(c) (166 Ill. 2d R. 219(c)).
Under Rule 219(c), as a sanction, a court may award reasonable costs incurred as a
24
result of a party's failure to comply with discovery rules. 166 Ill. 2d R. 219(c). Whether to
impose a discovery sanction is a matter within the discretion of the trial court, and we will
not reverse the trial court's determination unless it abuses its discretion. Moreover, a court
may only impose a sanction for violations that amount to unreasonable noncompliance.
Ruane v. Amore, 287 Ill. App. 3d 465, 471, 677 N.E.2d 1369, 1374 (1997).
The Brdars contend that the record clearly demonstrates that Purswell's testimony
regarding the 17.8-to-1 gear ratio was deliberately sprung at the last minute, while Cottrell
contends that it was a response to Weseman's undisclosed testimony regarding the 30-to-1
gear ratio and thus could not have been disclosed in advance. In support of their contention,
the Brdars allege that counsel for Cottrell falsely stated that the 17.8-to-1 gear ratio had been
disclosed previously, a claim that was belied by Purswell's admission on cross-examination
that he had arrived at that figure the previous evening after hearing Linda Weseman's
testimony. We believe that the Brdars mischaracterize the statement at issue. Counsel for
Cottrell asked Purswell to explain to the jury, step by step, the calculations he used in
determining the gear ratio. Before he ever testified to a specific ratio, counsel for the Brdars
interrupted to lodge the following objection: "Your Honor, I just asked [counsel for Cottrell]
a question that[–]if this has ever been disclosed pursuant to Rule 213[,] and the answer is
no." Counsel for Cottrell replied: "Yes he has, Your Honor. It is indicated in his report."
The court overruled the objection, and Purswell continued his testimony.
Shortly thereafter, Purswell testified to the 17.8-to-1 ratio and testified about its
implication on the force exerted on the chain if vehicles of various weights were tied down
using the assembly. Counsel for the Brdars did not object. On cross-examination, Purswell
testified that he had calculated the 17.8-to-1 ratio the previous evening after hearing
Weseman's testimony regarding the 30-to-1 ratio and thinking that it "just couldn't be right."
Arguably, the Brdars waived their argument that the gear ratio itself was undisclosed
25
by failing to renew their objection at this point. Nevertheless, we do not think it is clear from
this that Cottrell knew what Purswell was going to testify about concerning the gear ratio or
that it acted so unreasonably or deliberately to require the court to impose sanctions. We find
no abuse of discretion.
V. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the circuit court of Madison County is
affirmed in part and reversed in part, and the cause is remanded for further proceedings.
Affirmed in part and reversed in part; cause remanded.
SPOMER and STEWART1 , JJ., concur.
1
Justice Hopkins participated in oral argument. Justice Stewart was later substituted
on the panel and has read the briefs and listened to the audiotape of oral argument.
26
NO. 5-04-0415
IN THE
APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS
FIFTH DISTRICT
___________________________________________________________________________________
CARL BRDAR and VICKY BRDAR, ) Appeal from the
) Circuit Court of
Plaintiffs-Appellees and Cross-Appellants, ) Madison County.
)
v. )
)
COTTRELL, INC., )
)
Defendant-Appellant and Cross-Appellee, )
)
and )
)
CASSENS & SONS, INC.; CASSENS CORPORATION; ) No. 00-L-181
UNKNOWN COMMERCIAL LESSORS IN THE )
CASSENS FAMILY; UNKNOWN CHAIN AND )
RATCHET COMPONENT DISTRIBUTORS AND )
MANUFACTURERS; DAIMLERCHRYSLER )
CORPORATION, f/k/a CHRYSLER CORPORATION; )
and GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION, )
)
Defendants. )
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- )
COTTRELL, INC., )
)
Third-Party Plaintiff-Appellant, )
)
v. )
)
C.F. BENDER and VULCAN CHAIN CORPORATION, )
)
Third-Party Defendants-Appellees, )
)
and )
)
CASSENS TRANSPORT COMPANY, ) Honorable
) A. A. Matoesian,
Third-Party Defendant. ) Judge, presiding.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Rule 23 Order Filed: February 13, 2007
Motion to Publish Granted: March 27, 2007
Opinion Filed: March 27, 2007
___________________________________________________________________________________
Justices: Honorable Melissa A. Chapman, J.
Honorable Stephen L. Spomer, J., and
Honorable Bruce D. Stewart, J.,
Concur
___________________________________________________________________________________
Attorneys Karen L. Kendall, Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen, 124 S. W. Adams Street, Suite
for 600, Peoria, IL 61602; Alan J. Dixon, Bryan, Cave, LLP, One Metropolitan Square,
Appellants 211 N. Broadway, Suite 3600, St. Louis, M O 63102-2750; Robert H. Shultz, Jr.,
103 N. Main Street, Suite 100, Edwardsville, IL 62025
___________________________________________________________________________________
Attorneys Charles W. Armbruster III, The Lakin Law Firm, P.C., 300 Evans Avenue, P.O. Box
for 229, Wood River, IL 62095; Brian M. Wendler, Wendler Law, P.C., 900 Hillsboro,
Appellees Suite 10, Edwardsville, IL 62025; Dawn Karnadulski O'Leary, Roth, Evans &
Lading, P.C., 2421 Corporate Center Drive, Suite 200, Granite City, IL 62040; Martin
M. Clay, Law Offices of Marc A. Lapp, 10825 Watson Road, Suite 120, Sunset Hills,
MO 63127
___________________________________________________________________________________