Expert Witness Blog

In the case of Food & Water Watch, Inc. et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, No. 3:17-cv-02162-EMC (N.D. Cal. 2024), the United States District Court for the Northern District of California addressed a significant environmental health dispute concerning the fluoridation of public drinking water. The plaintiffs alleged that the addition of fluoride to drinking water posed an unreasonable risk of neurotoxic harm, particularly to infants and young children. Expert testimony played a pivotal role in this case, with both parties presenting scientific evidence to support their positions.

Case Background

In November 2016, a coalition of organizations and individuals, including Food & Water Watch and the Fluoride Action Network, petitioned the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to prohibit the addition of fluoridation chemicals to drinking water. The petitioners argued that fluoride exposure is linked to neurodevelopmental issues, such as reduced IQ in children. The EPA denied the petition in February 2017, leading the plaintiffs to seek judicial review of the denial.

In the case of Burke v. Glanz, No. 4:11-CV-00720-JED-PJC (N.D. Okla. 2017), the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma addressed a wrongful death lawsuit concerning the 2011 death of Elliott Williams in the Tulsa County Jail. The testimony of expert witnesses was pivotal in establishing the circumstances leading to Williams’s death and determining liability.

Case Background

Elliott Williams, a 37-year-old Army veteran, was arrested on October 21, 2011, for misdemeanor obstruction of a police officer and subsequently detained at the Tulsa County Jail. During his incarceration, Williams suffered a severe injury resulting in paralysis. Despite his evident medical distress, jail staff neglected to provide necessary medical care, leading to his death on October 27, 2011. The medical examiner determined that Williams died from complications of vertebrospinal injuries due to blunt force trauma, compounded by starvation and dehydration.

In the case of Philmar Dairy, LLC et al. v. Armstrong Farms et al., No. 2:18-cv-00530 (D.N.M. July 12, 2019), the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico addressed the admissibility of expert testimony from a Weather & Meteorology Expert Witness in a contractual dispute involving the alleged destruction of hay by lightning-induced fire.

Case Background

Philmar Dairy, LLC and associated plaintiffs entered into a contract with Armstrong Farms to purchase over 2,500 tons of alfalfa hay. The plaintiffs paid in advance, but the hay was never delivered. Armstrong Farms claimed that a lightning strike caused a fire, destroying the hay intended for delivery. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants fabricated the fire to conceal their failure to deliver the hay. To support their claim of lightning-induced fire, the defendants retained Dr. Elizabeth Austin, a certified consulting meteorologist, to provide expert testimony on the likelihood of lightning strikes near the hay storage area during the relevant period.

In the case of Diaz v. United States, No. 21-14, 602 U.S. ____ (2024), the U.S. Supreme Court addressed the admissibility of expert testimony concerning a defendant’s mental state in criminal proceedings. While the case did not specifically involve a Visibility Expert Witness, it has significant implications for the scope of expert testimony in criminal trials.

Case Background

Delilah Diaz was apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border after authorities discovered over 54 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in her vehicle. Charged with importing methamphetamine, a crime requiring proof of knowing possession, Diaz contended that she was unaware of the drugs hidden in her car. To counter this defense, the prosecution introduced testimony from a special agent who stated that drug traffickers typically do not entrust large quantities of drugs to individuals without their knowledge. Diaz was subsequently convicted and sentenced to 84 months in prison.

In the case of Mace v. AAA Cooper Transportation, No. 23-2341 (La. Ct. App. 2023), the Louisiana Court of Appeal addressed the critical role of expert testimony in a vehicular accident involving a passenger car and a commercial truck. The involvement of a Traffic/Highway Safety Expert Witness was central to the court’s analysis.

Case Background

The incident occurred in Alexandria, Louisiana, where Chelsea Mace was driving her car and stopped behind an 18-wheeler operated by Sherman Turner, an employee of AAA Cooper Transportation. Turner, while attempting to turn around, reversed the truck into Mace’s car, causing her to sustain back injuries that required lumbar fusion surgery. Mace claimed the truck driver was at fault for not ensuring the path was clear before reversing.

In the case of Grajeda v. Vail Resorts Inc., No. 2:20-cv-00165 (D. Vt. Mar. 23, 2023), the United States District Court for the District of Vermont addressed the admissibility of expert testimony in a negligence lawsuit stemming from a skiing accident. The involvement of a Skiing & Snowboarding Expert Witness was central to the court’s analysis.

Case Background

On December 19, 2019, plaintiff Richard Grajeda was skiing at Okemo Mountain Resort, operated by defendants Vail Resorts Inc., Vail Resorts Management Company, and Okemo Limited Liability Company. While descending a beginner trail named “Open Slope,” Grajeda fell and collided with a snowmaking station situated in the center of the trail. The accident resulted in severe injuries, rendering him paraplegic. Grajeda filed a negligence lawsuit against the defendants, alleging that the snowmaking station was inadequately padded and improperly placed, creating a hazardous condition.

In the case of In re: Paraquat Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3004 (S.D. Ill. 2024), the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois addressed the admissibility of expert testimony in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) concerning allegations that exposure to the herbicide paraquat caused plaintiffs to develop Parkinson’s disease. The involvement of a Products Liability Expert Witness was central to the court’s analysis.

Case Background

Paraquat is a widely used herbicide in the United States, primarily applied for weed and grass control. Plaintiffs in this MDL alleged that exposure to paraquat, manufactured by Syngenta and distributed by Chevron, led to the development of Parkinson’s disease. They claimed that the defendants failed to warn users about the potential neurological risks associated with paraquat exposure.

n the case of Marimuthu v. Signal International, No. 1:13-cv-00498 (E.D. Tex. 2015), the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas addressed the admissibility of expert testimony in a lawsuit involving allegations of human trafficking and substandard living conditions. The testimony of an OSHA Expert Witness was central to the court’s analysis.

Case Background

Following Hurricane Katrina, approximately 590 individuals, including the plaintiffs in this case, were allegedly trafficked to the United States to provide labor for Signal International, a marine construction company. The plaintiffs claimed they were lured with promises of good pay and permanent residency but were instead subjected to inhumane conditions in overcrowded labor camps. They alleged that the camps were unhygienic, disease-ridden, and resembled prisons, forcing them to continue working under threat of significant debts and fears of deportation.

In the case of Morris v. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, a jury awarded $287 million to Harold Morris, a 79-year-old Navy veteran, following a tragic accident involving a Harley-Davidson trike motorcycle. The testimony of a Motorcycles Expert Witness played a pivotal role in this litigation.

Case Background

In 2020, Harold Morris was operating his Harley-Davidson trike with his partner, Pamela SinClair, as a passenger. During their ride, the trike unexpectedly experienced braking issues, leading to a severe crash that resulted in SinClair’s death and left Morris with life-threatening injuries. Notably, Morris had encountered a similar incident in 2019, where the trike exhibited sudden braking problems. After the initial incident, he sought service from a Harley-Davidson dealership, which assured him that the motorcycle was safe to operate.

n the case of Baker v. Blackhawk Mining, LLC, Civil Action No. 5:22-231-DCR (E.D. Ky. 2023), the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky addressed the admissibility of expert testimony in a lawsuit concerning environmental contamination allegedly resulting from mining activities. The involvement of a Mining Expert Witness was central to the court’s analysis.

Case Background

Plaintiff David Baker filed a lawsuit against Blackhawk Mining, LLC, alleging that the company’s mining operations led to the contamination of his property. Baker claimed that pollutants from Blackhawk’s mining activities had migrated onto his land, causing environmental damage and diminishing the property’s value. He sought damages for negligence, trespass, and nuisance, asserting that Blackhawk failed to implement adequate measures to prevent the spread of contaminants.