Winckler v. Bnsf ( 2015 )


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  •                      NOTICE: NOT FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.
    UNDER ARIZONA RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT 111(c), THIS DECISION IS NOT PRECEDENTIAL
    AND MAY BE CITED ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY RULE.
    IN THE
    ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS
    DIVISION ONE
    JOSEPH WINCKLER, Plaintiff/Appellee,
    v.
    BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY, a Delaware corporation,
    Defendant/Appellant.
    No. 1 CA-CV 13-0516
    FILED 3-26-2015
    Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County
    No. CV 2009-020785
    The Honorable Dean M. Fink, Judge
    VACATED AND REMANDED
    COUNSEL
    Thorpe Shwer, P.C., Phoenix
    By William L. Thorpe, Bradley D. Shwer, Kristin Paiva
    Counsel for Defendant/Appellant
    Osborn Maledon, P.A., Phoenix
    By Mark I. Harrison, Brandon A. Hale, Thomas L. Hudson
    Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Appellee
    St. John & Romero, P.L.L.C., Mesa
    By Jason J. Romero
    Co-Counsel for Plaintiff/Appellee
    WINCKLER v. BNSF
    Decision of the Court
    MEMORANDUM DECISION
    Presiding Judge Margaret H. Downie delivered the decision of the Court,
    in which Judge Patricia K. Norris and Judge Randall M. Howe joined.
    D O W N I E, Judge:
    ¶1           Defendant/Appellant BNSF Railway Company (“BNSF”)
    appeals from a judgment entered in favor of Plaintiff/Appellee Joseph
    Winckler after a jury trial. For the following reasons, we vacate the
    judgment and remand for a new trial.
    FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
    ¶2             Winckler worked as a conductor for BNSF. During a fueling
    stop in Winslow, Arizona on May 29, 2007, Winckler dismounted from a
    locomotive, stepping down with his right foot, which landed partially on
    a wooden crosstie and partially on ballast — the crushed rocks that form
    the foundation for the railroad tracks. The ballast was not flush with the
    top of the tie, creating a depression into which Winckler’s foot and ankle
    rolled.
    ¶3            Winckler filed a two-count complaint against BNSF under
    the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (“FELA”), 
    45 U.S.C. §§ 51-60
    ,
    alleging: (1) count one: negligence based on the failure “to properly
    maintain and provide a reasonably safe, uniform and regular walkway”
    (“negligence claim”); and (2) count two: violation of a safety regulation —
    Arizona Administrative Code (“Code”) R14-5-110 (“Rule 110”)
    (“regulatory claim”).
    ¶4            BNSF moved for summary judgment on the regulatory
    claim, arguing: (1) Winckler’s injury occurred on the track, not a
    walkway, making Rule 110 inapplicable; (2) Rule 110 is not actionable
    under FELA; and (3) federal law preempts Rule 110. After briefing and
    oral argument, the superior court denied BNSF’s motion. BNSF moved
    for reconsideration and, for the first time, asserted that the Rule 110
    standards applied only to construction, reconstruction, or modifications
    occurring after May 1992 — a limitation BNSF claimed Winckler “has so
    far ignored.” The superior court denied the motion for reconsideration.
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    WINCKLER v. BNSF
    Decision of the Court
    ¶5            A 12-day jury trial ensued. At the close of Winckler’s case-
    in-chief, BNSF moved for judgment as a matter of law (“JMOL”) on both
    counts of the complaint. The trial court denied the motion. At the close of
    evidence, BNSF moved for JMOL on the regulatory claim. BNSF argued
    Winckler had failed to establish that the premises were constructed,
    reconstructed, or modified after May 28, 1992 — the operative date for
    Rule 110’s standards. The court granted BNSF’s motion, leaving only the
    negligence claim for the jury to consider.
    ¶6           The jury found in favor of Winckler, setting his damages at
    $3,852,256, but finding him to be 20% at fault. BNSF unsuccessfully
    moved for a new trial. It thereafter filed a timely notice of appeal.
    ¶7            While its appeal was pending, BNSF learned of allegations
    that Winckler had intentionally inflicted injury on his knee in order to
    increase his claim against BNSF. BNSF moved to suspend its appeal and
    revest jurisdiction in the superior court so that it could rule on a request
    for relief under Arizona Rule of Civil Procedure 60(c). This Court granted
    BNSF’s motion. After briefing and argument, the superior court denied
    BNSF’s Rule 60(c) motion; BNSF filed an amended notice of appeal. We
    have jurisdiction pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes (“A.R.S.”) sections
    12-120.21(A), -2101(A)(1), (2), (5)(a).
    DISCUSSION
    I.    The Regulatory Claim
    ¶8            BNSF contends the superior court erred by denying its
    motion for summary judgment on the regulatory claim. Although the
    denial of summary judgment is generally not reviewable on appeal from a
    final judgment entered after a trial on the merits, a party may preserve a
    summary judgment issue for appellate review “by reasserting it in a Rule
    50 motion for judgment as a matter of law or other post-trial motion.”
    John C. Lincoln Hosp. & Health Corp. v. Maricopa Cnty., 
    208 Ariz. 532
    , 539,
    ¶ 19, 
    96 P.3d 530
    , 537 (App. 2004); see also Ryan v. S.F. Peaks Trucking Co.,
    Inc., 
    228 Ariz. 42
    , 48, ¶ 20, 
    262 P.3d 863
    , 869 (App. 2011) (“[I]n cases that
    have proceeded to trial, a party that wishes to preserve a summary
    judgment issue for appeal must reassert it during or after trial in a Rule 50
    motion for judgment as a matter of law or other motion.”). BNSF
    reasserted its summary judgment arguments in a Rule 50 motion,
    thereby preserving those issues for our review.
    ¶9         We disagree with Winckler’s assertion that the denial of
    summary judgment is “irrelevant because the court granted BNSF a
    3
    WINCKLER v. BNSF
    Decision of the Court
    directed verdict” on the regulatory claim at the close of the trial evidence.
    As we discuss infra, allowing the regulatory claim to proceed to trial led to
    improper evidence and arguments being presented to the jury that
    affected BNSF’s right to a fair trial.
    ¶10             In assessing whether the court erroneously denied summary
    judgment on the regulatory claim, we confine our review to the record
    that was before the court at the time of its ruling. See Brookover v. Roberts
    Enters., Inc., 
    215 Ariz. 52
    , 55, ¶ 8, 
    156 P.3d 1157
    , 1160 (App. 2007). A court
    may grant summary judgment when “there is no genuine dispute as to
    any material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter
    of law.” Ariz. R. Civ. P. 56(a). We review the denial of a motion for
    summary judgment for an abuse of discretion. Sonoran Desert
    Investigations, Inc. v. Miller, 
    213 Ariz. 274
    , 276, ¶ 5, 
    141 P.3d 754
    , 756 (App.
    2006). “A court abuses its discretion if it commits an error of law in
    reaching a discretionary conclusion.” Flying Diamond Airpark, L.L.C. v.
    Meienberg, 
    215 Ariz. 44
    , 50, ¶ 27, 
    156 P.3d 1149
    , 1155 (App. 2007). We
    review legal conclusions de novo. Midtown Med. Grp., Inc. v. State Farm
    Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 
    220 Ariz. 341
    , 343, ¶ 7, 
    206 P.3d 790
    , 792 (App. 2008).
    ¶11           In seeking summary judgment on the regulatory claim,
    BNSF argued Winckler’s injury “occurred while he was on the track
    structure – the ties and ballast supporting the rails – not on a walkway
    addressed by [Rule 110], which is separate and distinct from the track
    structure.” As the superior court correctly noted, the parties did not
    dispute the location of or circumstances surrounding Winckler’s injury.
    Excerpts from Winckler’s deposition testimony established:
       When Winckler stepped off the locomotive ladder he knew he was
    “stepping down onto ballast or ties.”
       After twisting his ankle, Winckler saw there was a depression where
    the ballast was not “hard up against the top of the tie.”
    Winckler further acknowledged that his right foot “landed partially on top
    of an exposed railroad tie.”1
    ¶12          Rule 110, entitled “Walkway and Clearance Standards,” sets
    state standards “for all walkways.” A.A.C. R14-5-110(A). The rule
    requires walkways “adjacent to tracks in all areas where railroad . . .
    1     Winckler’s trial testimony was consistent with his deposition
    testimony.
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    WINCKLER v. BNSF
    Decision of the Court
    employees are required to perform trackside duties.”             A.A.C. R14-5-
    110(A)(1). Walkways must consist of “a uniform regular           surface with a
    gradual slope not to exceed 1 inch rise in 8 inches.”            A.A.C. R14-5-
    110(A)(2)(a). Measurement and clearance standards for            walkways are
    included in Code appendices. A.A.C. R14-5-110(A)(4).
    ¶13            The Code does not define “walkway.” We therefore employ
    tools of statutory construction in ascertaining its meaning. See Stapert v.
    Ariz. Bd. of Psychologist Exam’rs, 
    210 Ariz. 177
    , 179, ¶ 7, 
    108 P.3d 956
    , 958
    (App. 2005) (principles of statutory interpretation apply equally to
    administrative regulations). Ambiguity arises not only from the meaning
    of particular words, but “may arise in respect to the general scope and
    meaning of a statute when all its provisions are examined.” State v. Sweet,
    
    143 Ariz. 266
    , 269, 
    693 P.2d 921
    , 924 (1985).
    ¶14           By mandating walkways “adjacent to tracks,” A.A.C.
    R14-5-110(A)(1) (emphasis added), the plain language of Rule 110
    suggests that a walkway is separate and distinct from the track.
    “Adjacent” is defined as “[l]ying near or close to, but not necessarily
    touching.” Black’s Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014); see W. Corr. Grp., Inc. v.
    Tierney, 
    208 Ariz. 583
    , 587, ¶ 17, 
    96 P.3d 1070
    , 1074 (App. 2004) (In
    determining the plain meaning of statutory terms, courts “refer to
    established and widely used dictionaries.”). But assuming the language of
    Rule 110 does not clearly resolve the issue, we look to the regulation’s
    context, subject matter, historical background, effects and consequences,
    and spirit and purpose. See Hayes v. Cont’l Ins. Co., 
    178 Ariz. 264
    , 268, 
    872 P.2d 668
    , 672 (1994). We also construe related regulations together. Ariz.
    Dep’t of Revenue v. Action Marine, Inc., 
    218 Ariz. 141
    , 143, ¶ 10, 
    181 P.3d 188
    , 190 (2008); see also State v. Seyrafi, 
    201 Ariz. 147
    , 150, ¶ 13, 
    32 P.3d 430
    ,
    433 (App. 2001) (statutory provisions are construed in context with related
    provisions and in light of their place in the statutory scheme).
    ¶15          The Code clearly distinguishes between walkways and
    tracks. There are separate and, to some extent, mutually exclusive
    requirements for walkways, listed in Rule 110, and tracks, listed in A.A.C
    R14-5-109 (“Rule 109”). Compare A.A.C. R14-5-110 (“Walkway and
    Clearance Standards”) with A.A.C. R14-5-109 (“Industrial Track
    Standards”). Rule 110, as discussed supra ¶ 12, requires walkways to have
    a “uniform regular surface with a gradual slope not to exceed 1 inch rise
    in 8 inches.” A.A.C. R14-5-110(A)(2)(a). Rule 109, on the other hand,
    dictates a maximum grade of 2% for track structures and identifies
    components and surfaces that, by their very nature, cannot comprise a
    “uniform regular surface.” See A.A.C. R14-5-109(B) (setting standards for
    5
    WINCKLER v. BNSF
    Decision of the Court
    items such as ballast, wood crossties, steel rails, metal tie plates, metal
    anchors, and spikes). Rule 109 addresses ties and ballast in depth,
    whereas Rule 110 does not mention such track components. Compare
    A.A.C. R14-5-109(B)(4)-(6) with A.A.C. R14-5-110.
    ¶16           Winckler suggests he was injured on a walkway because he
    stepped partially onto a crosstie and partially onto ballast. We disagree.
    The railroad tie he stepped on was part of the track, as Winckler’s own
    expert conceded. And Rule 109, which governs tracks, mandates that
    “track ballast” extend 6 inches beyond the ends of the ties. A.A.C.
    R14-5-109(B)(4)(e). Winckler does not claim he stepped more than six
    inches beyond the end of a crosstie. Cf. Davis v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 
    598 F. Supp. 2d 955
     (E.D. Ark. 2009) (plaintiff who rolled ankle walking on loose
    ballast was injured in area that did not “support any track or track bed,”
    so FELA claim was not preempted). Furthermore, the Code dictates
    different standards for track ballast and walkway ballast. See A.A.C.
    R14-5-109(B)(4)(a) (“Ballast material used in industrial tracks shall be not
    less than ¾ of an inch to 1½ inches.”); A.A.C. R14-5-110(A)(3) (“In areas
    where heavy foot traffic exists, such as train yards[,] . . . the uniform
    surface material used shall be no larger than 3/8 inch fines.”).
    ¶17           Winckler emphasizes that some crossties in the area
    extended farther from the rail center line than others, including the one he
    stepped on. However, the Code specifies only a minimum length for ties,
    not a maximum length. See A.A.C. R14-5-109(B)(5)(d). Winckler has cited
    no legal authority suggesting that extended ties are not part of the track,
    and we are aware of none. The length of the crosstie may be relevant to
    the negligence claim, which alleges BNSF failed to provide a reasonably
    safe workplace, but it does not support Winckler’s contention that his
    injury occurred on a walkway.
    ¶18            Winckler’s reliance on A.A.C. R14-5-116 app. 5 (“Appendix
    5”) is similarly unavailing. Rule 110 incorporates the measurement and
    clearance standards shown in Appendix 5, which includes a diagram for
    “Walkways in [Train] Yards.” See A.A.C. R14-5-110(A)(4), -116 app. 5.
    Appendix 5, though, does not establish what areas constitute a walkway.
    It also dictates no endpoint for the track structure. At most, Appendix 5
    reflects the track shoulder should measure 8’6” from the center of the
    track and 6’ from the rail. Such dimensions are designed to ensure safe
    clearance from passing trains. See A.A.C. R14-5-110(A)(4), (B)(3), -116 app.
    5. Holding that walkways may extend onto crossties is not only
    unsupported by the Code, but would run afoul of clearance standards
    designed to prevent injuries from moving trains. Cf. Norfolk & W. Ry. Co.
    6
    WINCKLER v. BNSF
    Decision of the Court
    v. Burns, 
    587 F. Supp. 161
    , 170 (E.D. Mich. 1984) (“[A] walkway really is
    that clear area between parallel rails which is not occupied by the cars
    which overhang the track themselves, and is really the area in which one
    could safely walk without getting hit by a railroad car or an appurtenance
    thereto.”).
    ¶19           Winckler’s position at trial that a walkway exists anywhere
    an employee dismounts from a train is unsupported by any legal
    authority. Moreover, such an interpretation would implicitly modify the
    language of Rule 110 requiring walkways “adjacent to tracks” to read
    “adjacent to rails.”2 Courts “are not at liberty to rewrite [statutes] under
    the guise of judicial interpretation.” New Sun Bus. Park, LLC v. Yuma
    Cnty., 
    221 Ariz. 43
    , 47, ¶ 16, 
    209 P.3d 179
    , 183 (App. 2009).
    ¶20          We agree with the superior court that “whether the location
    of [Winckler’s] accident was a walkway under [Rule 110] is a question of
    law and statutory construction, not an issue of fact.” But based on our de
    novo review, we conclude Winckler was injured on the track and not on a
    walkway subject to Rule 110. As such, BNSF was entitled to summary
    judgment on the regulatory claim.
    II.    New Trial Request
    ¶21           A new trial may be granted for “[i]rregularity in the
    proceedings of the court . . . whereby the moving party was deprived of a
    fair trial” and for error in the admission of evidence. Ariz. R. Civ. P.
    59(a)(1). A new trial should be granted when “there has been some error
    in the conduct of the original trial which, in all probability, has affected
    the verdict.” S. Ariz. Freight Lines v. Jackson, 
    48 Ariz. 509
    , 512, 
    63 P.2d 193
    ,
    195 (1936). Appellate courts give greater deference to an order granting a
    new trial than to an order denying one. Sadler v. Ariz. Flour Mills Co., 58
    2    Although we do not reach BNSF’s preemption argument, defining a
    walkway to include track components appears problematic. See FRA
    Track Safety Standards, 
    49 C.F.R. § 213
    ; Norfolk & W. Ry. Co., 
    587 F. Supp. at 169
     (“Insofar as rails and track surface, including cross ties and ballast
    and all adjacent switches and appurtenances are concerned, this court has
    no trouble in concluding that the federal regulations do treat this subject
    matter, that they treat it comprehensively, and that there has been a clear
    indication of an attempt to regulate in these areas in a manner which
    would preempt state regulation.”).
    7
    WINCKLER v. BNSF
    Decision of the Court
    Ariz. 486, 490, 
    121 P.2d 412
    , 413 (1942) (order granting a new trial more
    liberally sustained because it does not finally dispose of the rights of the
    parties). We review the denial of a motion for new trial for abuse of
    discretion. Boatman v. Samaritan Health Servs., 
    168 Ariz. 207
    , 212, 
    812 P.2d 1025
    , 1030 (App. 1990). As noted supra, ¶ 10, a court abuses its discretion
    if it commits an error of law in making a discretionary ruling. Flying
    Diamond Airpark, LLC, 215 Ariz. at 50, ¶ 27, 
    156 P.3d at 1155
    .
    ¶22            Because BNSF was entitled to summary judgment on the
    regulatory claim, evidence about Rule 110 should not have been admitted
    at trial unless Winckler could demonstrate its relevance to the negligence
    claim. Ariz. R. Evid. 401. And once the court entered JMOL against
    Winckler on the regulatory claim, the jury could only consider evidence
    that was relevant to the negligence claim.
    ¶23           BNSF contends Winckler made Rule 110 “the central claim,
    argument, and evidence of his case at trial,” such that it “permeated every
    aspect of his claim” and was “unduly prejudicial.” We agree that
    Winckler relied on Rule 110 early and often at trial. Immediately after
    greeting jurors in his opening statement, Winckler’s counsel stated:
    An employer, property [owner] has a duty and a
    responsibility to make sure that their employees are not
    exposed to an unreasonable risk of harm in the walkways
    and the areas where their employees are expected to work.
    In this case, the evidence goes beyond that. Specifically,
    there’s evidence that the State of Arizona has specific
    standards for railroads requiring that railroads provide
    reasonably regular walkways in areas where their
    employees are expected to work alongside their trains, their
    engines and their equipment. The purpose for that is to
    make sure that the employees are not exposed to
    unnecessary harm.
    Later portions of Winckler’s opening statement echoed this theme:
    The regulations which you’ll hear about in this evidence
    were designed specifically to make sure those employees can
    get off railroad equipment onto the ground to perform their
    tasks for the railroad without the exposure to unreasonable
    risk of harm. . . .
    8
    WINCKLER v. BNSF
    Decision of the Court
    [Mr. Winckler] turned his ankle because the railroad failed
    to provide ballast – the rock – up to the level of the tie which
    was in the walkway causing the walkway to be, to not be
    reasonably regular, which the Arizona statute requires and
    causing the ankle to turn. . . .
    You’ll hear testimony of managers who didn’t know about
    the Arizona walkway standards; managers who didn’t know
    how to check to make sure that the ballast was sufficient so
    that the employees didn’t get hurt so the employees
    wouldn’t unnecessarily be exposed to hazards which would
    cause slips, trips or falls. . . .
    And we believe that we will provide you with sufficient
    evidence to be able to support Mr. Winckler’s burden in this
    case that it’s more likely true than not that he was injured as
    a result of the railroad’s negligence, violating walkway
    standards and the nature and scope of his harm.
    ¶24           Winckler repeatedly questioned witnesses about Rule 110.
    Over BNSF’s foundation and relevance objections, a copy of Rule 110 was
    admitted into evidence, and Winckler’s expert witness, Ray Duffany,
    discussed it in some depth. Duffany told jurors that Winckler was injured
    on a walkway and that the site of his injury was out of compliance with
    “Arizona Walkway Standards.”
    ¶25          After the JMOL on the regulatory claim, the only possible
    relevance of Rule 110 was to serve as evidence regarding BNSF’s duty to
    provide a reasonably safe workplace. There was, however, insufficient
    foundation (or a showing of relevance) establishing that Rule 110’s
    walkway standards are co-extensive with the duty of ordinary care for
    non-walkway areas.3 Indeed, as discussed supra, ¶ 15, by their very nature,
    3      We express no opinion about whether evidence regarding Rule 110
    will be admissible at the new trial. Winckler will obviously need to
    establish the foundation for and relevance of such evidence if he wishes to
    introduce it. See, e.g., Peterson v. Salt River Project Agric. Improvement &
    Power Dist., 
    96 Ariz. 1
    , 8, 
    391 P.2d 567
    , 571 (1964) (“Evidence of non-
    compliance is generally admissible where the statute is a relevant safety
    statute.”); Wendland v. Adobeair, Inc., 
    223 Ariz. 199
    , 205, 
    221 P.3d 390
    , 396
    (App. 2009) (OSHA rule “may be considered as some evidence of the
    standard of care,” even though not binding on the defendant, if “sufficient
    9
    WINCKLER v. BNSF
    Decision of the Court
    tracks cannot satisfy certain Rule 110 standards. Moreover, BNSF was
    prevented from questioning its witnesses about application of the
    walkway standards to the area in question. For example, when BNSF’s
    counsel asked John Bosshart, director of track standards and procedures,
    whether the walkway standards applied to the location of Winckler’s
    injury, Winckler’s counsel objected, and the court sustained his objections.
    ¶26            We have also considered the closing arguments of counsel in
    assessing whether BNSF was deprived of a fair trial. Cf. State v.
    Bruggeman, 
    161 Ariz. 508
    , 510, 
    779 P.2d 823
    , 825 (App. 1989) (closing
    arguments may be taken into account when assessing adequacy of jury
    instructions). Consistent with his heavy reliance on Rule 110 throughout
    trial, Winckler’s counsel mentioned the rule repeatedly in closing
    arguments and directed jurors’ attention to the state requirements for
    walkways. He also told the jury it would not be asked to determine
    whether BNSF “violated the walkway standard, because they – it’s
    basically a technicality.” (Emphasis added.) Referring to Rule 110, and
    notwithstanding the dismissal of the regulatory claim, Winckler argued
    BNSF had violated the law, stating:
    [T]he railroads not only have their own walkway
    responsibilities, but there [are] many different states that
    have walkway standards as well. They’ve got to be familiar
    with them. They’ve got to know them. . . . Interestingly
    enough, just about every other [BNSF] manager out there we
    talked to really wasn’t familiar with law that applies to the
    railroad. And I submit to you, ladies and gentlemen,
    nobody here is above the law.
    With regard to the Arizona walkway standard . . . just about
    everybody [from BNSF] didn’t know much about it, hadn’t
    even heard of it.
    ¶27            Faced with a significant last-minute change in the
    substantive claims the jury could consider, the superior court obviously
    did its best to address the altered legal landscape and to salvage the trial.
    foundation” establishes the standard “is directly related to the exercise of
    reasonable care” and “a reasonable nexus exists between the proffered
    standard and the circumstances of the injury.”).
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    WINCKLER v. BNSF
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    The reality, though, is that jurors had participated in a lengthy trial that
    focused repeatedly on Rule 110 and its requirements for walkways. The
    court noted this reality after granting JMOL, observing that Rule 110 was
    “in evidence” and had “been talked about a lot.” And the potential for
    confusion and/or misuse of evidence is not merely theoretical. Before
    Winckler’s rebuttal closing argument, a juror submitted the following
    written question to the court:
    If the Arizona track law [Rule 110] is not to be considered,
    why is it in evidence but not to be used? Has it been
    removed from the evidence?
    The court responded, “The Arizona regulation is in evidence, and it can be
    considered in connection with your negligence determination. However,
    it is not a law that governs this case.”
    ¶28          We decline Winckler’s invitation to conclude that BNSF
    waived any objection to jurors considering Rule 110 evidence on the
    negligence claim. The tenet that arguments not made in the trial court
    may not be asserted on appeal is procedural, not jurisdictional, and we
    have discretion about whether to apply the doctrine. City of Tempe v.
    Fleming, 
    168 Ariz. 454
    , 456, 
    815 P.2d 1
    , 3 (App. 1991). This is not a
    situation where an objection by BNSF would have offered Winckler an
    opportunity to cure the claimed deficiency through presentation of
    additional evidence. The evidentiary phase of trial was closed. More
    fundamentally, by the time the superior court entered JMOL on the
    regulatory claim, BNSF had repeatedly lost on the issue of whether
    Winckler’s injury occurred on a walkway. Asking the court to preclude
    Rule 110 as evidence of negligence because the injury did not occur on a
    walkway would have been a futile act.4 Cf. Coronado Co., Inc. v. Jacome’s
    4   On numerous occasions during trial, the court reiterated its ruling that
    the area at issue was a walkway, including the following statements:
     “I’m not going to change the underlying ruling. So we’re still stuck
    with the walkway standards apply.”
     “I believe that that area is a walkway, and I’ve already indicated
    that.”
     “[A]s you know, I’ve already found that the area adjacent to the
    track was a walkway and that the standards, at least as to that, that
    the standards are applicable.”
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    WINCKLER v. BNSF
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    Dep’t Store, Inc., 
    129 Ariz. 137
    , 140, 
    629 P.2d 553
    , 556 (App. 1981) (“The law
    does not require a futile act.”). For all of these reasons, we decline to
    apply the doctrine of waiver so as to foreclose BNSF’s challenges to the
    admission of Rule 110 evidence on the negligence claim.
    CONCLUSION5
    ¶29           The existence of the regulatory claim at trial, the extensive
    evidence and argument about Rule 110 and walkways, the juror confusion
    over the role of the regulation, the lack of foundation for or demonstrated
    relevance of Rule 110 vis-à-vis the negligence claim, and Winckler’s
    closing arguments, considered together, deprived BNSF of a fair trial. We
    therefore vacate the judgment in favor of Winckler and remand for a new
    trial on the negligence claim. We award BNSF its taxable costs on appeal
    upon compliance with ARCAP 21.
    :ama
     “[I]n terms of whether this area is one that the walkway standards
    applies to, that part, that horse has ridden or the ship has sailed.”
    5      Based on our analysis, we need not reach the additional grounds
    for reversal urged by BNSF.
    12