Category: Expert Challenges
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Insurance Expert Allowed to Testify Regarding Industry Customs and Practices based on Experience
Plaintiff Jose Verdecia sustained injuries after falling through the ceiling of his home. He claims these injuries and other damages resulted from a misrepresentation by State Farm’s adjuster, Marvin Johnson, who allegedly instructed him to inspect the attic for damage, implying that his claim would be denied otherwise. To support his case, Plaintiff retained Earl…
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Intellectual Property Expert’s Opinion as to a Safer Design for a Splitting Maul Admitted
Plaintiff, Joseph Ferlito purchased a splitting maul (an axe specially designed for splitting wood) from Defendant, Harbor Freight Tools USA, Inc. in 2017. Several months later, while the Plaintiff was hanging the maul to store it, the head of the tool detached and struck Plaintiff, causing injuries to his nose and left eye. Plaintiff initiated…
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Drug Enforcement Expert’s Testimony About the Firearm’s Purpose Admitted
Initially, based on information received from a confidential informant (CI), who indicated that Norvell Harris lived with Swanda Collins at 4469 Lake Fairway Drive in Lake Charles and stored a large amount of marijuana in nearby storage unit AA15, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office (CPSO) initiated an investigation. Following this, detectives then conducted surveillance, observing Harris…
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Economics Expert’s Opinions on the Outcome-Based Compensation Structure Excluded
Allstate Insurance Company sells property, casualty, and life insurance in California through independent and exclusive agents. The Plaintiffs, who were exclusive agents for the Defendant from 1990 to 2023 and had signed Exclusive Agency Agreements, have filed a class-action lawsuit. Their claim centers on unreimbursed business expenses they incurred, including costs for rent, internet, licensed…
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Life Care Planning Expert’s Testimony Not Supported by Medical Diagnoses Excluded
On August 05, 2022, Antoinette Marie Plummer (“Plaintiff” or “Plummer”) sued IFH Hospitality Group, LLC d/b/a WoodSprings Suites Atlanta Conyers and Rockdale Hospitality, LLC (“Defendants”) for premises liability. She claimed a kitchen cabinet fell inside her leased hotel room and caused her injuries. The Plaintiff claims negligence against the Defendants, along with other allegations. The lawsuit…
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Law And Legal Expert Was Not Allowed to Testify Regarding State Law Ethical Standards
Plaintiff Kuantay Reeder filed a civil rights lawsuit against Jason Williams, the Orleans Parish District Attorney, in his official capacity. Reeder had spent more than 26 years in prison following a wrongful conviction for murder. He claimed the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (OPDA) violated his right to due process by failing to disclose exculpatory…
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Psychology Expert Lacks Experience Personally Dealing with Compartment Syndrome
This medical negligence lawsuit stems from injuries Fitzgerald sustained after he allegedly developed compartment syndrome in his right leg while hospitalized at St. Anthony Summit Medical Center (“Summit”) after a snowboarding accident in January 2019. Fitzgerald claimed that the delayed diagnosis and treatment of his compartment syndrome by his healthcare providers, Dr. Xan Courville and…
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Rule 26 Violation is Harmless with Regard to the Engineering Expert’s Repair Estimates
In this insurance breach of contract case, Plaintiff LJP Building, LLC designated Alfredo Brizuela as its damages expert in March 2024. That same month, Brizuela prepared an estimate to restore the property to its pre-loss condition. The estimate was based on replacement cost value (RCV) and totaled $655,054.64. Westchester deposed Brizuela in February 2025. Subsequent…
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Radiology Expert Barred From Providing Testimony Related to Biomechanics
This automotive product liability case arises from a rear-end collision involving a 2020 Honda Odyssey (“subject vehicle”) that resulted in serious injuries to Plaintiff James Assey. On June 16, 2021, Plaintiffs James and Joan Assey were traveling in the subject vehicle on Interstate 26 near Columbia, South Carolina, at approximately 55 miles per hour when…
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Mechanical Engineering Expert’s Testimony on Unicender Design Shortcomings Excluded
Plaintiff George Land (“Land”) initiated a lawsuit against Rock Exotica, LLC, following a catastrophic fall while using the Unicender, a climbing device manufactured by the company. Land, an experienced arborist with two decades of experience, contended that the Unicender was defectively designed, which led to his accident. He alleged that during his ascent using the…
