27. What is the plaintiff's best argument in response?

A is correct. Normally, an error in the instructions is waived unless there is a timely objection. However, a federal trial or appellate court may consider a plain error in the instructions that has not been preserved IF the error affects substantial rights. Fed. R. Civ. P. 51(d)(2). The defendant did not object to any of the instructions, so the defendant's appeal can only be successful if the instruction affected the defendant's substantial rights, which is the standard for plain error. Thus, the plaintiff's best response would be that the instructions did not affect the defendant's substantial rights.

B is incorrect. There is no obligation to seek a new trial before challenging jury instructions on appeal, so long as the plain error standard can be satisfied. In this case, plain error is the applicable standard because the defendant failed to object at trial.

C is incorrect. Plain error, not abuse of discretion, is the standard for reviewing instructions that the parties did not object to.

D is incorrect. The errors were not waived by the failure to object. Rather, the failure to object waived full review. The standard for review is limited to plain error, a more narrow standard.