Opinion ID: 3157773
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Gene Lard’s Undisclosed Opinion

Text: ¶28 WCU argues that the District Court erred by admitting undisclosed expert opinions from Defendants’ appraiser Lard when he testified as to the percentage adjustments that should have properly been used in the Frazier appraisal. Defendants respond that Mr. Lard’s testimony was simply rebuttal testimony, or in the alternative, that Lard was qualified to offer an expert opinion regarding adjustments to the properties. WCU does not contest Lard’s qualification as an expert, but only that he offered his opinion without proper disclosure. ¶29 “Rebuttal testimony is proper only if it tends to counteract a new matter offered by the adverse party.” State v. Hart, 2000 MT 332, ¶ 20, 303 Mont. 71, 15 P.3d 917 (citing State v. Daniels, 210 Mont. 1, 10, 682 P.2d 173, 178 (1984)). Lard’s testimony criticizing Frazier’s adjustment methods was proper rebuttal testimony. However, when 13 Lard proceeded to testify about his opinions2 on the adjustments that should have been made, based on his professional knowledge, he was offering direct expert opinion testimony that should have been disclosed prior to the hearing. M. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(4)(A)(i). “The underlying policies requiring expert disclosures are to eliminate surprise and to promote effective cross-examination of expert witnesses.” Reese, ¶ 32 (citing Hawkins v. Harney, 2003 MT 58, ¶ 26, 314 Mont. 384, 66 P.3d 305). Because this opinion was not disclosed prior to the hearing, WCU was not prepared to cross-examine Lard on his opinions and the basis for them. Lard’s opinions about the percentage adjustments he would make should have been excluded at the hearing, and the District Court abused its discretion by admitting them.