Category: Expert Challenges
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Court rejects the Firearms Expert Witness’ conclusions with regard to the possibility of the revolver firing without a trigger pull in product liability case
Freedom Arms manufactured the Model 83 Revolver, a single-action handgun firing a .454 Casull cartridge, designed for defense against large animals. This revolver incorporated a manual safety feature to prevent accidental discharge. The accompanying manual, available online or through various channels, contained numerous warnings against mishandling and provided explicit instructions on using the safety features.…
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Court admits the testimony of Chemistry Expert Witness despite alleged lack of experiential qualifications
Access Business Group International, LLC and Access BusinessGroup LLC (collectively, “Amway” or “Plaintiff”) sued Defendant Refresco Beverages after the aluminum cans containing Amway’s electrolyte-rich (i.e., salt-laden) sports drinks corroded and leaked. Refresco, engaged in the business of manufacturing canned and bottled drink products, contended that it merely “bottled” the beverages prepared with the exact ingredients…
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Court admits the testimony of Industrial Hygiene & Mold Expert Witness with regard to source of water intrusions that caused the mold growth
Zahid Hotel Group, LLC, the owner of a LaQuinta Inn insured by AmGUARD Insurance Company, claimed extensive damage to the property following Hurricane Ida in August 2021. Although AmGUARD disbursed $1,032,617.92 for building repairs and mitigation, Zahid contended that the sum fell short of covering repair expenses and failed to compensate for business personal property…
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Court Finds Pain Management Expert Witness’ Medical Causation Testimony Admissible Despite Arguments Questioning the Reliability of Differential Diagnosis Employed By Him
This case involved a lawsuit filed by Sharon B. Ikerd against Bobby Dillon, L Dillon Tree Harvesting, LLC, and Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company after being involved in an automobile collision with Dillon. At the time, Ikerd was driving a school bus and had stopped to let children exit. Dillon, who was driving a tractor…
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Court deems Structural Engineering Expert Witness qualified to opine about the damage to the building at issue in Insurance Coverage Dispute
In this insurance coverage dispute, Melland Company, the successor by merger to Melland Real Estate Inc., held an insurance policy with Secura Insurance Companies. The replacement coverage policy covered the insured premises, a set of commercial real estate buildings in Jamestown, North Dakota, owned by the Melland family since around 1957. A blizzard named “Winter…
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Court addresses Daubert challenges filed against both the Plaintiffs’ and Defendants’ expert witnesses amidst claims of premises liability and product liability
Valerie Koger, a Costco member, visited the Costco store in Fremont, California, on November 1, 2018, seeking dining chairs. While browsing, she encountered a Stakmore wooden folding chair displayed on an aisle. Upon sitting on it, the chair immediately collapsed, causing her to fall to the ground. The impact from the chair’s failure resulted in…
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Court Excludes the Testimony of Finance Expert Witness for its inconsistency with GAAP Principles
This case involved Plaintiffs Fischler Kapel Holdings, LLC, Richard Fischler, and Paula Kapel (collectively “Plaintiffs”) and Defendants Flavor Producers, LLC (“FPI”) and Jeffrey Harris (collectively “Defendants”). Plaintiffs filed a motion in limine to exclude the expert report and testimony of Defendants’ expert, Timothy S. Ramey. The Defendants engaged in a fraudulent scheme by providing false…
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Court limits the testimony of Life Care Planning Expert Witness citing reliance on the inadmissible opinions of an undisclosed expert
This case involved a lawsuit filed by Louis Edward Hill against Century Arms, Inc. and Century International Arms, Inc. (collectively “Defendants”) relating to a pistol that allegedly unintentionally discharged when it fell out of its holster, resulting in injury to Hill’s knee. On November 28, 2017, the Plaintiff purchased a Canik TP9SF Elite model pistol.…
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Court admits the Long-Term, Low-Temperature Ignition of Wood theory of Fire Investigation Expert Witnesses in Product Liability Case
The case arose from a fire at an apartment building in Potsdam, New York, allegedly caused by a defective attic exhaust/ventilation fan manufactured by Defendant, Broan Nutone LLC. Country Mutual, representing the Plaintiff, claimed the fan was defective in both manufacturing and design, citing New York law on strict product liability and identifying manufacturing and…
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Testimony of Civil Engineering Expert Witness found to meet the requisite reliability threshold under Daubert in insurance coverage dispute
The lawsuit originated from a commercial property insurance claim brought by Plaintiff, 285 West 24th Street Family Company, LLC, under a surplus lines insurance policy issued by Defendant, United Specialty Insurance Company. The claim involved both visible and latent damages reported by the Plaintiff, believed to have occurred while the policy was active on May…
