Expert Witness Blog

In the landmark litigation arising from a helicopter crash in New Hampshire, the role of the Helicopter/Heliport Expert Witness proved pivotal in the court’s analysis of causation, liability, and the admissibility of technical testimony. The case, West v. Bell Helicopter, et al., involved plaintiff Kurt West, who sued Bell Helicopter, Rolls Royce, and Goodrich following a crash that occurred during a solo ferry flight. West alleged that a defect in the helicopter’s Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system caused the engine to lose power, resulting in an emergency autorotation landing and significant injuries. The defendants countered that the crash was caused by pilot error or environmental factors, such as ice or snow ingestion into the engine[1].

Background and Parties

Kurt West, an experienced pilot, was operating a Bell helicopter owned by his employer, JBI Helicopters, when the engine lost power mid-flight. The helicopter had been stored outside in wintry conditions prior to the incident. West executed an autorotation landing, which, while successful in preventing fatalities, resulted in substantial physical and psychological injuries. West attributed the crash to a FADEC malfunction, specifically a “false overspeed solenoid 2 activation” (FOSSA) event, allegedly triggered by an electrical anomaly in the engine control unit. The defendants, including the helicopter’s manufacturer and component suppliers, denied any design defect and asserted alternative causes for the power loss[1].

In the recent Fifth Circuit decision of United States v. Roland, 5th Cir. 2025, the role and admissibility of a Mortgages Expert Witness became a focal point in a high-profile mortgage fraud prosecution. This case illustrates the complex interplay between expert testimony, evidentiary standards, and the procedural rights of criminal defendants in mortgage-related litigation.

Background and Parties

Clarence Roland orchestrated a multi-year scheme from 2009 to 2015, targeting homeowners facing foreclosure. Promising relief, Roland transferred property ownership to shell entities he controlled, fabricated mortgages, and sold these encumbered properties to unsuspecting buyers. The fraudulent transactions were supported by forged notary stamps and signatures, deceiving both mortgage lenders and title insurance companies. Roland was ultimately convicted in the Southern District of Texas on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and engaging in monetary transactions involving criminally derived property. The district court imposed a ten-year sentence, over $3 million in restitution, and ordered forfeiture of nearly $2 million.

In a significant ruling on the admissibility of expert testimony, a federal court recently addressed the qualifications and reliability of a Pulp & Paper Industry Expert Witness in litigation arising from a fatal explosion at a Louisiana paper mill. The case involved multiple plaintiffs who suffered injuries during a maintenance shutdown at the Packaging Corporation of America’s DeRidder facility, where a foul condensate tank exploded, resulting in tragic consequences.

Background and Parties

The plaintiffs—employees of Elite Specialty Welding, LLC and Top Deck, Inc.—filed suit against Packaging Corporation of America (PCA), Boise Packaging & Newsprint, LLC, Boise, Inc., and an individual defendant, Rick Butterfield. The incident occurred on February 8, 2017, during the mill’s annual maintenance shutdown, when a foul condensate tank (FCT) exploded. Plaintiffs alleged that the defendants failed to implement proper safety protocols, specifically by not draining, flushing, and opening the FCT before commencing hot work, thereby creating a substantial risk of explosion.

A Louisiana appellate court’s recent decision demonstrates the critical role that Ramp & Stairs Expert Witness testimony plays in premises liability cases involving architectural design defects. The case centered on a patron’s fall at BJ’s Restaurant, where expert architectural testimony proved instrumental in establishing liability for injuries caused by poorly designed steps.

Case Background and Facts

The incident occurred when Lavergne, a restaurant patron, fell while navigating steps inside BJ’s Restaurant. The establishment featured a multilevel design with steps that connected different dining areas. During her visit, Lavergne was reading while walking and failed to notice the steps, resulting in a fall that caused significant injuries. The case proceeded to trial where the central question focused on whether the restaurant’s step design created an unreasonable risk of harm to patrons.

A recent Supreme Court decision has brought renewed focus to the pivotal role of the Telecommunications Expert Witness in complex federal litigation, particularly in cases involving alleged fraud in government-subsidized telecommunications programs. In Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Heath, 604 U.S. ___ (2024), the Court addressed the contours of False Claims Act (FCA) liability in the context of the federal E-Rate program, a multi-billion-dollar initiative designed to subsidize telecommunications services for schools and libraries.

Background and Parties

The case arose when Todd Heath, an auditor specializing in telecommunications billing, filed a qui tam action under the FCA against Wisconsin Bell, Inc., a major telecommunications provider. Heath alleged that Wisconsin Bell systematically overcharged schools participating in the E-Rate program by violating the “lowest corresponding price” rule, which requires service providers to offer schools and libraries the lowest price charged to similarly situated non-residential customers. Heath contended that these overcharges resulted in inflated reimbursement requests to the E-Rate program, thereby defrauding the government.

In the recent case of Le Doux v. Western Express, Inc., 4th Cir. 2024, the role and admissibility of a Transportation Safety Expert Witness became a central issue in a catastrophic multi-vehicle collision on Interstate 81 in Virginia. The case provides a significant analysis of expert testimony under the Federal Rules of Evidence and illustrates the boundaries of when such testimony is deemed necessary and reliable in transportation litigation.

Background and Facts

Andre Le Doux was driving his van on Interstate 81 during a torrential downpour when sudden traffic congestion forced him to brake abruptly. A vehicle behind him struck his van, pushing it into another vehicle and leaving it stranded in the left lane. Moments later, Ervin Worthy, operating a Western Express tractor trailer, encountered the same hazardous weather and traffic conditions. Despite braking, Worthy was unable to stop in time and collided with Le Doux’s van, causing severe injuries.

In recent years, litigation involving utility terrain vehicles (UTVs), also known as side by sides, has increasingly relied on the specialized knowledge of the UTV (Utility Vehicles, Side by Sides) Expert Witness. These experts play a pivotal role in cases where the design, safety, and operation of UTVs are at issue, particularly in product liability and accident cases.

A notable example is the case of Martinez v. Polaris Industries Inc., where the plaintiff suffered severe injuries in a UTV accident and alleged that a defect in the vehicle’s design was the proximate cause of the incident. The parties in this case included John Martinez, the plaintiff and operator of the UTV, and Polaris Industries, the manufacturer and defendant. The litigation centered on claims of defective design and inadequate safety warnings provided by the manufacturer.

The court appointed Bill Uhl, a nationally recognized expert in off-road vehicle safety, as the UTV (Utility Vehicles, Side by Sides) Expert Witness. Uhl’s qualifications included decades of experience in the design, operation, and accident investigation of UTVs and ATVs. His role in the case was multifaceted:

In the recent federal case of Feindt v. United States of America, D. Haw. 2024, the role and admissibility of a Veterinary Expert Witness became central to the court’s evaluation of causation and damages in a complex toxic tort matter. This case provides a clear illustration of how federal courts rigorously apply Daubert standards to expert testimony, particularly when the expert’s methodology and the scope of their opinions are challenged.

Background and Parties

The plaintiffs in Feindt were individuals alleging personal injuries resulting from exposure to JP-5, a type of jet fuel, at a military installation. The United States, as defendant, contested both the causation of the alleged injuries and the extent of damages. Central to the plaintiffs’ case was the testimony of Dr. Steven Bird, a veterinary expert, who was retained to opine on the toxicological effects of JP-5 exposure, the causation of both short-term and long-term injuries, and the need for future medical surveillance.

In the high-stakes arena of federal healthcare fraud litigation, the role of the Actuary – Actuarial Expert Witness has become increasingly pivotal. A recent case, United States of America et al v. Supervalu Inc et al, provides a compelling example of how actuarial expertise can shape the outcome of complex disputes involving alleged violations of the False Claims Act.

Case Background and Parties

The case arose in the United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois, where relators (whistleblowers) brought suit against Supervalu Inc. and related pharmacy defendants. The relators alleged that the defendants submitted false or fraudulent claims to obtain federal funds from Government Healthcare Programs (GHP), in violation of the False Claims Act. The litigation centered on whether the defendants’ billing practices were consistent with regulatory requirements and industry standards, issues that demanded specialized actuarial analysis.

In a recent federal case, the role of the Advertising Expert Witness proved pivotal in the adjudication of complex claims involving alleged deceptive marketing practices. The matter of Kohls et al v. Ellison et al, No. 0:2024cv03754, was heard in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, where the plaintiffs challenged the defendants’ advertising representations, asserting violations of federal and state consumer protection statutes. The case’s resolution hinged on the admissibility and reliability of expert testimony regarding advertising industry standards and consumer perception, as detailed in the court’s order addressing motions to exclude expert evidence[3].

Background and Parties

The plaintiffs, a group of consumers, initiated suit against Ellison et al, alleging that the defendants engaged in false and misleading advertising in connection with the sale of consumer products. The complaint asserted that the advertising materials disseminated by the defendants contained representations likely to deceive a substantial segment of the intended audience, thereby violating the Lanham Act and analogous state statutes. The defendants denied all allegations, contending that their advertising was truthful, non-misleading, and consistent with industry norms.