Failure to Object to Expert’s Improper Methodology Waives Issue on Appeal

August 6, 2014

In this breach of lease case, the appellant argued that the appellee’s damages expert opinion was unreliable and erroneous because it relied on a hypothetical market rent study.  During trial, appellant objected to the relevance of the of the market rent study, but the trial court did not rule on the objection.  The expert then testified in detail about each component of her calculation without objection from appellant about her methodology.  The Court of Appeals, however, found that because the appellant had “failed to object to the expert’s testimony on the basis of improper methodology before or during trial and obtain a ruling form the court,” appellant waived any error.

Transcontinental Realty v. Wicks