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Happel v. Walmart Stores, Inc.

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ARGUED SEPTEMBER 9, 2008

Before FLAUM, WILLIAMS, and SYKES, Circuit Judges.

Heidi Happel was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1990. After the diagnosis, she did not experience any symptoms of the disease until August 1993, when a Walmart pharmacy negligently filled-and Heidi ingested-a prescription with Toradol, a medication to which Heidi was allergic. Heidi believed that the medication, which triggered a severe reaction, was the impetus for a rapid decline in her health, so she and her husband, Kent, sued Walmart. After an eight-day trial, a jury awarded the Happels $465,400 in compensatory damages. But the plaintiffs argue here that the trial court made two significant errors that reduced the total damage award. First, they contend that the trial court should have allowed them to present expert witness testimony to demonstrate that the allergic reaction to the prescription drugs exacerbated Heidi’s condition. Second, the court should not have used a verdict form that allowed the jury to combine damages for Heidi and Kent rather than providing for separate awards. We agree with the trial court’s decision to exclude the testimony of the plaintiffs’ experts because the plaintiffs failed to properly disclose one in violation of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26 and the other’s expertise and methodology did not comply with the Daubert standard. As to damages, we reverse and remand for a new trial so that the Happels can seek separate damage awards.

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