McInnis v. A.M.F., Inc.
United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
765 F.2d 240 (1985)
Patricia McInnis (plaintiff) was severely injured when Florence Poirier's car collided with her motorcycle, causing the motor housing to shatter and sever McInnis's leg; McInnis sued the motorcycle's manufacturer, A.M.F., Inc. (defendant), conceding Poirier's negligence caused the accident but claiming A.M.F.'s negligent motor-housing design caused the amputation. At trial, A.M.F. introduced evidence that McInnis had settled her claim against Poirier for $60,000, arguing this impeached McInnis's testimony by showing she actually blamed Poirier, not A.M.F., for the amputation; the judge admitted this over McInnis's Rule 408 objection as impeachment evidence, and the jury returned a verdict for A.M.F. McInnis appealed.
Whether Federal Rule of Evidence 408 excludes evidence of a compromise offer or settlement from which the jury could infer liability.