Opinion ID: 1209844
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Bradley's Testimony

Text: Plaintiffs contend that the circuit court abused its discretion when it did not allow Bradley to testify that the chair was negligently designed. We agree. Initially, it is for the circuit court to decide whether an expert witness has such skill, knowledge, or experience in the field in question such that his or her opinion or inference-drawing would probably aid the trier of fact in arriving at the truth. Larsen v. State Savings and Loan Association, 64 Haw. 302, 304, 640 P.2d 286, 288 (1982) (citations omitted); see also Wakabayashi v. Hertz Corp., 66 Haw. 265, 272, 660 P.2d 1309, 1314 (1983). It is not necessary, however, for the expert witness to have the highest possible qualifications to enable him or her to testify as an expert. Larsen, 64 Haw. at 304, 640 P.2d at 288 (citations omitted). Once the circuit court makes the initial determination of the requisite qualifications, the extent of the expert's knowledge goes to the weight rather than the admissibility of his or her testimony. Id. (citations omitted). Pursuant to Larsen, we must determine whether the circuit court abused its discretion when it made the initial determination that Bradley was not qualified to testify as an expert regarding the necessity of a restraining device. A trial court abuses its discretion when it clearly exceeds bounds of reason or disregards rules or principles of law or practice to the substantial detriment of a party. Kaneohe Bay Cruises, Inc. v. Hirata, 75 Haw. 250, 258, 861 P.2d 1, 6 (1993) (citations omitted). In the instant case, while Bradley admittedly did not design parasails, he held a doctorate in mechanical engineering, with a major in fluid engineering. Bradley's expertise was the study of aerodynamic devices, spotting problems, and finding solutions. The fact that he had not actually designed a parasail should have gone to the weight of his testimony and not to its admissibility. Moreover, his skill, knowledge, and experience in the area of trouble-shooting was such that his opinions or inference-drawing would probably aid the trier of fact in arriving at the truth. See State v. Batangan, 71 Haw. 552, 556, 799 P.2d 48, 51 (1990) (expert testimony aids the trier of fact by providing a resource for ascertaining the truth in areas outside the knowledge of the average trier of fact). Accordingly, Bradley was more than qualified as an expert to testify about the issue of negligent design. Thus, the circuit court abused its discretion when it disqualified him from testifying as to the necessity of a restraining device on the accident chair. [6]