Opinion
CA 08-624
Opinion Delivered October 28, 2009
Appeal from the Washington County Circuit Court, [No. CV04-1313-2], Honorable Kim M. Smith, Judge, Rebriefing Ordered.
This case arises from a 2003 roll-over accident involving a Ford van. The twelve appellants herein sued Ford, alleging that they, their decedents, or their minor children sustained injuries as the result of Ford's defective design and testing of the van. A jury found in favor of Ford, after which appellants filed a motion for a new trial. The circuit court denied the motion, and appellants appealed from that order. However, appellants did not include their motion for a new trial and supporting brief in their addendum. We must therefore order rebriefing prior to considering appellants' arguments on appeal.
An appellant's addendum must include relevant pleadings, documents, or exhibits essential to an understanding of the case and the court's jurisdiction on appeal. Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 4-2(a)(8). In this case, appellants' new-trial motion and supporting brief are essential to our understanding of the issues and arguments raised by the parties in their briefs. Appellants therefore have fifteen days from the date of this order in which to file a substituted brief with an addendum that contains their motion for a new trial and brief in support. See Ark. Sup. Ct. R. 4-2(b)(3). If appellants fail to file a brief with a complying addendum within the prescribed time, the judgment may be affirmed for noncompliance with Rule 4-2(a)(8). Id.
Rebriefing ordered.
ROBBINS and HENRY, JJ., agree.