Opinion ID: 3015153
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Expert Testimony Of Kelly Kennett

Text: Forrest argues that the District Court improperly permitted testimony from Beloit’s biomechanical engineering expert, Kelly Kennett. Forrest first argues that Kennett was improperly permitted to testify concerning the ultimate issue in the case. Second, Forrest maintains that Beloit failed to establish an adequate foundation for Kennett’s testimony concerning whether the presence of a particular type of guard would have prevented Forrest’s accident. Both of Forrest’s objections lack merit. As Beloit correctly points out, Kennett was admitted to testify as an expert witness, and under FRE 704 an expert witness may offer testimony concerning the ultimate issue in the case. See Salas v. Wang, 846 F.2d 897, 905 (3d Cir. 1988). Moreover, Beloit is also correct that the question of whether the presence of a guard would have prevented Forrest’s injury is a question of fact, and is distinct from the ultimate issue of whether the Gloss Calender was defectively or negligently designed and manufactured. The admissibility of expert opinion testimony with respect to such issues is well established. See Wilburn v. Maritrans GP, Inc., 139 F.3d 350, 356 (3d Cir. 1998). Kennett’s testimony focused upon the physical posture 629. 20 that Forrest allegedly must have been in to access the Gloss Calender nip, and also whether the presence of a particular guard would have prevented Forrest’s injury. Forrest argues that Kennett failed to lay an adequate foundation for this testimony. However, Kennett’s testimony set forth his methodology and described at some length the various measurements relevant to his calculations. This foundation adequately supported Kennett’s expert testimony, and thus the District Court did not abuse its discretion in permitting Kennett to testify.