Show-Me State Times

The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, has submitted an amicus brief to the Missouri Supreme Court in an effort to address ongoing concerns about the state’s legal environment for businesses. The filing comes as part of the Hanshaw v. Crown Equipment Corporation case, which involves questions about the admissibility of expert testimony in court.

The case centers on a 2018 lawsuit following a forklift accident. The Missouri Western District Court of Appeals reversed a previous decision by the Jackson County Circuit Court, allowing testimony from an expert witness whose methods have been questioned. According to the chambers’ brief, this expert “did no testing to support a defective-design theory, nor did the data he used support his opinions.”

Expert witnesses can play a significant role in legal outcomes, making their reliability important for fair trials. The chambers argue that only evidence that is relevant, reliable, and provided by qualified individuals should be accepted as expert testimony.

Their amicus brief stated: “When Missouri courts—like the Western District—deviate from well-established rules regarding the admissibility of expert testimony, [this] weakens protections against the admission of unreliable ‘junk science.’ Decisions like [this] fuel fears of verdicts not rooted in evenhanded application of the law, further threatening the State’s business climate.”

The Missouri Chamber frequently files amicus briefs on cases related to litigation procedures such as expert testimony in order to provide more predictability for businesses involved in lawsuits.

For additional information about this action or other legislative efforts by the chamber, Luke Reed, director of legislative affairs for the Missouri Chamber, can be contacted at (573) 634-3511.