Opinion ID: 1695398
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: did the trial judge err in allowing opinion testimony of newman's expert witness?

Text: At trial Materials did not object to Dr. Miller's opinion on the ground that it lacked scientific or factual basis. [3] In addition, Materials did not claim in its motion for new trial that Dr. Miller's opinion was erroneously admitted because it lacked scientific or factual basis. Where a party neither provides the specific grounds for an objection at trial nor asserts the issue on motion for new trial, this Court need not consider any alleged error on appeal. Anderson v. Jaeger, 317 So.2d 902, 906-07 (Miss. 1975). Even examining this issue on the merits, we find no cause for reversal. This Court will reverse for admission of expert testimony only when the trial court abused its discretion. Dedeaux v. J.I. Case Co., 611 So.2d 880, 886 (Miss. 1992). The sufficiency of foundational facts or evidence on which to base an opinion is a question of law. Gulf Ins. Co. v. Provine, 321 So.2d 311, 314 (Miss. 1975). These facts must afford a reasonably accurate basis for the expert's conclusion. Gulf Ins. Co., 321 So.2d at 314. Expert testimony must be consistent with scientific principles as established by the laws of physics or mechanics. Id. The scientific principles underlying an expert's opinion must be generally accepted by practitioners in the expert's field. May v. State, 524 So.2d 957, 963 (Miss. 1988); M.R.E. 702, Comment. There is no indication that the scientific principles underlying Dr. Miller's opinion on design defects are inconsistent with the field of mechanical and safety design. Dr. Miller testified that as a result of his training and experience, he was of the opinion that the changer had several defects in design. Dr. Miller stated that the changes in design he recommended were common knowledge in machine design. While neither Newman nor Materials thoroughly examined Dr. Miller regarding the basis of his testimony, this does not render his testimony inadmissible. Predicate facts supporting expert testimony need only be available in some colorable form. Flight Line, Inc. v. Tanksley, 608 So.2d 1149, 1165 (Miss. 1992). Dr. Miller's testimony that common knowledge supported his findings is sufficient to meet the Flight Line standard, as neither side fully explored this issue. Dr. Miller acknowledged he did not test the carriage for the feasibility of his design recommendations. Materials argued that, without testing, Dr. Miller's opinion was insufficient to meet minimum standards of reliability. Materials relies on Bernhardt v. Richardson-Merrell, Inc., 723 F. Supp. 1188, 1191 (N.D.Miss. 1988), aff'd 892 F.2d 440 (5th Cir.1990). However, Bernhardt involved more than a simple lack of testing. Over objection by the defense, the plaintiff's expert stated that a particular drug's application led to deformities; no testing or theory was offered to support this opinion. Bernhardt, 723 F. Supp. at 1191. In fact, the plaintiff's expert opinion was contradictory to the opinion held by an overwhelming majority of the scientific community. Id. There is no such showing in the instant case. Because Materials did not explore the scientific underpinnings of Dr. Miller's testimony, there is little in the record on this point. As a result, Dr. Miller's opinion is admissible without a showing of those facts. The burden of producing preliminary facts for admissibility of evidence is on the party who wishes to admit the evidence, when a proper objection (to the evidence) is made. State v. Williams, 315 N.W.2d 45, 52 (Iowa 1982). Since Materials made no such objection at trial, the admissibility of Dr. Miller's opinion was unquestioned. There is no merit to this issue.