Opinion ID: 2134576
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Dr. King

Text: Dr. King, a quality control director at Midwest Laboratories, has a bachelor's degree in biology, a master's degree in zoology, and a Ph.D. in biology with an emphasis on human physiology. Dr. King testified that he has 10 years' experience in air sampling, including the analysis and interpretation of results from air samples. Dr. King explained that air samples from the Mondelli home were collected using a standard protocol which involved the use of a Biotest Air Sampler. The Biotest Air Sampler draws a volume of air through the instrument, and a set of impellers forces spores or other organisms into an agar plate. After the sampler is allowed to run for a certain period of time, the agar strip is removed and the number of organisms counted. Dr. King testified that in his opinion, the sampler is reliable. The protocol requires calibration of the instrument, and the samples of the Mondelli home were taken in the breathing zone of the individual to measure the air normally inhaled. The breathing zone is approximately 1 foot below the mouth to 1 foot above the mouth. Dr. King said that the protocol meets industry standards. During a discussion outside the presence of the jury, the district court indicated that it had a problem with Dr. King's testimony because he was testifying prior to the testimony of the individuals who had collected the samples from the Mondelli home. The district court was concerned because the air samples relied upon were taken in an interstitial space under plastic rather than in the breathing zone described by Dr. King. The Mondellis argue that the district court made a determination on its own, without cross-examination or any scientific support, that mold in the interstitial space could not be tested through an air sampler. The district court thereafter sustained numerous foundational objections to questions asked of Dr. King, who testified that the Biotest Air Sampler was accurate because the publications he had received from the manufacturer indicated an error rate of plus or minus 2 percent. Dr. King also testified that he had not referred to publications that were subject to peer review concerning the accuracy of the Biotest Air Sampler. Following that statement, an objection to Dr. King's testimony was sustained based on foundation. The district court also sustained the defendants' motion to strike Dr. King's testimony concerning the accuracy and purported reliability of the Biotest Air Sampler. When the Mondellis attempted to ask questions concerning the error rate of the lab methodologies, relevancy objections were sustained. An analytical report prepared by Dr. King concerning the Mondelli home was offered as a business record exception to the hearsay rule. The defendants' objections based on foundation and hearsay were sustained because the district court found that the sampling was so flawed that any opinion expressed on the sampling would not pass either ... the Frye or the Daubert standards. The district court refused to admit Midwest Laboratories' report as a business record because it contained opinions upon which any foundational basis was lacking. Dr. King testified that he analyzed the laboratory results, but he was not allowed to offer his conclusions. The Mondellis' offer of proof stated that if Dr. King were allowed to testify, he would have stated that there was a proliferation of molds in the interstitial spaces of the Mondelli home, that there was an amplification of molds in the home, and that there was a confluent growth of mold in the home greater than growth in the outside environment. With regard to the factors set forth in Nebraska Nutrients v. Shepherd, 261 Neb. 723, 626 N.W.2d 472 (2001), to determine the admissibility of an expert's testimony, we conclude that the factors were satisfied as to Dr. King. He was qualified to testify as an expert witness. His testimony explaining the results of the air sampling in the Mondelli home was relevant to the issue of damages. His explanation would have assisted the jury in understanding the evidence, and the danger of unfair prejudice did not outweigh the probative value of the testimony. As noted earlier, if data relied upon by an expert is of a type reasonably relied upon by experts in a particular field in forming opinions or inferences, the facts or data need not be admissible in evidence. See Terry v. Duff, 246 Neb. 524, 519 N.W.2d 550 (1994). We conclude that Dr. King should have been allowed to give an opinion regarding the test results, and the jury should have been allowed to weigh the credibility of the information. See Norman v. Ogallala Pub. Sch. Dist., 259 Neb. 184, 609 N.W.2d 338 (2000). The district court abused its discretion in not allowing Dr. King to state his opinion. This deprived the Mondellis of the right to present their entire case to the jury.