Chapman et al v. Tristar Products, Inc.

Filing 58

Opinion & Order signed by Judge James S. Gwin on 3/24/17. The Court denies plaintiffs' objection to defendant's expert Jason M. Mattice's report and cancels the 3/29/17 hearing for the reasons set forth in this order. (Related Docs. 54 and 55 ) (D,MA)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO
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KENNETH CHAPMAN et. al.,
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:
Plaintiffs,
:
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v.
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:
TRISTAR PRODUCTS, INC.,
:
:
Defendant.
:
:
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CASE NO. 1:16-cv-1114

OPINION & ORDER
[Resolving Docs. 54, 55]

JAMES S. GWIN, UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE:
Plaintiffs bought pressure cookers from Defendant Tristar.1 Plaintiffs sued Tristar,
alleging that Defendant’s pressure cookers have design defects.2
The Plaintiffs object to Tristar’s expert Jason M. Mattice’s report. Plaintiffs say that
Mattice filed an untimely report without necessary disclosures.3 The Court set a hearing for
March 29, 2017 to consider this motion.
The Court now denies the Plaintiffs’ motion and cancels the hearing.
Plaintiffs say Tristar violated Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(a)(2)(B) when it failed
to disclose Mattice’s publications, testimony history, and compensation structure. Plaintiffs also
say Mattice failed to include a statement of his opinions on this case. These arguments lose.
Tristar did disclose Mattice’s publication history.4 The Defendant also supplemented its
disclosures with Mattice’s testimony history and compensation structure within a week of

1

Doc. 1 ¶¶ 35-46.
Id. ¶ 4.
3
Doc. 54.
4
Doc. 36-1 at 3-4.
2

Case No. 1:16-cv-1114
Gwin, J.
Plaintiffs’ objection.5 Finally, Mattice’s declaration sufficiently details Mattice’s opinions and
his rationale.6
Additionally, Plaintiffs say Tristar gave them notice of Mattice’s report one day late.7
Defendant filed Mattice’s report three weeks before the deadline.8 This gave Plaintiffs sufficient
notice and access to the report.
Therefore, the Court DENIES Plaintiffs’ objection to Tristar’s expert Jason M. Mattice’s
report and CANCELS the March 29, 2017 hearing.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: March 24, 2017.

s/
James S. Gwin
JAMES S. GWIN
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

5

Doc. 55-1 & 55-2.
Doc. 45-8.
7
Doc. 55. Plaintiffs say Tristar should have sent them the actual report, not just notified Plaintiffs that the report
was filed.
8
Doc. 45-8. Tristar filed Mattice’s report on January 30, 2017, as part of its opposition to Plaintiffs’ motion for
class certification. Id. The deadline for exchanging expert reports was February 22, 2017. Doc. 55.
6

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