Opinion ID: 1058169
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Research Conducted Independent of Litigation

Text: Finally, the trial court found that the conclusions of Mr. Johannson and Dr. Harris were derived from litigation. Much of their testimony, however, was derived from pre-litigation personal experiences in their respective fields. As a result, the relevancy of this factor is lessened. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court erred in holding that application of all five of the McDaniel factors was mandated and in applying the McDaniel factors when the factors did not provide an adequate measure of the reliability of the methodologies employed by Mr. Johannson and Dr. Harris. During the trial, the trial court expressed reservations as to the reliability of the testimony of Mr. Johannson and Dr. Harris. We, however, are unable to separate these expressions from the trial court's mistaken belief that it was required to apply all five of the McDaniel factors. Rather, a trial court need only apply those McDaniel factors that it finds reasonably measure the reliability of the particular expert's methodology. Therefore, we conclude that the trial court erred in excluding the testimony of both Mr. Johannson and Dr. Harris.