Tag: Rule 26
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Accident Reconstruction Expert Witness’ Testimony Admitted despite his Alleged Disregard of the Evidence
This Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) case arises out of an accident that occurred on January 5, 2021 between Plaintiff Avery Stinson and a U.S. Postal Service tractor-trailer driven by Stewart Henry. When the accident occurred, Plaintiff was operating a bicycle on a sidewalk and attempting to cross an intersection. At the same time, a…
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Testimony of Life Care Planning Expert Witness Admitted Despite Claims of Rule 26 Deficiencies
The first-party lawsuit originated from a collision involving multiple vehicles on May 2, 2017. Plaintiffs Steve Watkins (“Mr. Watkins”) and Lisa Watkins (“Ms. Watkins”) were traveling in a vehicle in Harris County, Texas, when they were struck from behind and pushed into the vehicle in front of them. They were in the process of taking…
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Psychology Expert Witness’ Depression Diagnosis Upheld
Plaintiff Duane Anthony Beyenhof alleged that his former employer Defendant Schwan’s Consumer Brands, Inc. (“Schwan’s”) wrongfully terminated him in retaliation for reporting illegal activity at work and because of his age. Schwan’s claimed he was terminated for not wearing a seatbelt in violation of Defendant Schwan’s Consumer Brands, Inc.’s (“Schwan’s” or “Defendant”) zero tolerance Seat…
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Court rejects the opinions of Environmental Engineering Expert Witness citing Lack of Demonstrable Testing or Modeling based specifically on Mining Sites
Blackhawk Mining, LLC and Pine Branch Mining, LLC (“the Mining Companies”) had operations in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Between July 25 and July 30, 2022, communities across eastern Kentucky suffered historic rainfall that led to “one of the most significant, deadly floods” in the Commonwealth’s history. The floods resulted in significant damage to property and the tragic…
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Court rejects estimates proffered by the Construction Expert Witness citing credibility concerns
This lawsuit originated from the damage Hurricane Laura caused to First United Pentecostal Church of DeRidder (FUPC), a church in DeRidder, Louisiana, on August 27, 2020. Throughout the relevant period, the church was insured under a policy issued by Church Mutual Insurance Company (Church Mutual). Following the storm, FUPC engaged in a contract with Plaintiff…
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Court excludes the testimony of Business Administration and Management Expert Witness citing Violation of Disclosure Obligations
This case involved a dispute between Plaintiffs Toa Trading LLC and MunshiBari LLC and Defendants Mullen Automotive, Inc. and Mullen Technologies, Inc. over an alleged breach of contract. The Plaintiffs claimed that the Defendants failed to pay them a finder’s fee as required by an agreement between the parties. The Defendants argued that they were…
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Court admits the deficient report of Orthopedic Surgery Expert Witness despite non-compliance with the requirements of Rule 26 but subjects it to lesser sanctions
Plaintiff Valerie Peterson filed a personal injury lawsuit against Defendant Ross Dress for Less, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. Peterson alleged that on July 6, 2020, while shopping at a Ross Dress for Less store in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, she was struck by an overloaded shopping cart…
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Court excludes unreliable pharmacology and neurology expert opinions in product liability case; grants summary judgment
In a lawsuit against Vitamin Shoppe, a man alleged its vitamin supplements containing arsenic and lead caused his peripheral neuropathy. He relied on his treating neurologist and a pharmacist to provide expert opinions on causation. The court excluded both experts, finding their methodologies failed to reliably account for the dosage of toxins consumed. Without admissible…
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Court admitted the valuation expert reports presented by both parties in this case involving the termination of a wine distributorship agreement
In a wine distribution lawsuit, the court denied motions by both parties to exclude expert witness testimony. The court found most issues went to the weight of the evidence rather than admissibility. Citing the less stringent Daubert standard in a bench trial, the court expressed confidence in its ability to properly weigh even questionable expert…
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Court excludes the unsubstantiated testimony of labor standards expert witness on account of non-compliance with the disclosure requirements of Rule 26
The Court excluded the Plaintiffs’ expert witness report in this fair labor standards act case for noncompliance with Rule 26 requirements. The report lacked a detailed explanation of the expert’s methodology and opinions. It relied on facts not yet available through discovery. Further, it failed to identify supporting exhibits or provide the expert’s qualifications and…