Encarnacion et al v. JB Hunt Transport Incorporated et al

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WO
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA
Edelmira Encarnacion, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
v.
J.B. Hunt Transport Incorporated, et al.,
Defendants.
No. CV-24-01384-PHX-MTL
ORDER
Before the Court are Defendant J.B. Hunt Transport Incorporated’s Motion for
Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. 71), Motions to Exclude Expert Testimony (Docs. 69,
70), and Motion for Attorneys’ Fees (Doc. 79). The motions are fully briefed, and the Court
held oral argument on the motions.
I. BACKGROUND
On October 27, 2022, a three-vehicle collision occurred on Interstate-10 in Phoenix,
Arizona. (Doc. 71-1 at 160-207.) Defendant Eduardo Serrato was operating a tractor trailer
when he struck the rear of a Dodge Dart, killing a non-party individual inside the vehicle.
(Id.) The Dodge Dart was pushed across two lanes, and it impacted the tractor trailer
containing Plaintiffs Robert Hanifon and Edelmira Encarnacion. (Id.) Mr. Serrato had
“nodded off” before the collision, although he had not fallen asleep. (Id. at 33.)
Mr. Serrato, a Class-A Commercial Vehicle licensed driver, was employed by
Defendant J.B. Hunt, and the tractor trailer he was driving was owned by J.B. Hunt. Prior
to J.B. Hunt hiring him on October 19, 2021, Mr. Serrato graduated from a two-week truck
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driving education course and received his Commercial Driver’s License. (Id. at 1;
Doc. 80-1 at 5-6, 8.) Mr. Serrato drove commercial trucks as an employee of C.R. England
during the eight months leading up to his employment with J.B. Hunt. (Doc. 71-1 at 4.)
During his employment with C.R. England, he was involved in two collisions, one of them
was deemed “preventable.” (Id. at 4-5.)
In the process of hiring Mr. Serrato, J.B. Hunt conducted a background check, which
included contacting prior employers, drug and alcohol testing, and an analysis of Mr.
Serrato’s motor vehicle record. (Id. at 2-30.) Mr. Serrato was required to possess various
credentials, including Entry Level Driver Training and Road-Testing certifications. (Id. at
34.) Mr. Serrato was also obligated to complete certain trainings, including driver safety
training. (Id. at 37.) Mr. Serrato received specific training addressing the dangers of driving
while fatigued, but he did not receive any behind-the-wheel training, in-person classroom
instruction, or training on compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
(Id. at 33, 39-152; Doc. 80-1 at 5-6, 9-10.)
In addition to Mr. Serrato’s involvement in the collisions prior to his employment
with J.B. Hunt, Serrato’s employee file notes several incidents that took place leading up
to the October 27, 2022, collision. (Doc. 71-1 at 39-152.) Mr. Serrato was involved in an
accident and had committed numerous violations. (Id.) Mr. Serrato testified that he rarely
spoke with his trainer, attended no regular meetings with his trainer, and maintained only
minimal contact with his supervisors. (Id. at 148; 80-1 at 46-47.)
Plaintiffs filed suit in Arizona Superior Court on May 21, 2024, and J.B. Hunt
removed the case to this Court on June 10, 2024. (Doc. 1.) Plaintiffs bring claims against
J.B. Hunt, Mr. Serrato, and fictitious defendants for Negligence (Count One), Negligence
Per Se (Count Two), Respondeat Superior (Count Three), Negligent Hiring, Training &
Supervision (Count Four), and Punitive Damages (Count Five). (Id. at 10-13.) J.B. Hunt
now moves for summary judgment on Plaintiffs’ claims for direct negligence and punitive
damages. (Doc. 71.) J.B. Hunt also moves to exclude the testimony of Plaintiffs’ life care
planner experts. (Doc. 69, 70.) Mr. Serrato joined these motions. (Docs. 72-74.) Also
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pending before the Court is J.B. Hunt’s Motion for Attorneys’ Fees. (Doc. 79.)
II. MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT
A. Legal Standard
Summary judgment is appropriate when the evidence, viewed in the light most
favorable to the non-moving party, demonstrates “that there is no genuine dispute as to any
material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P.
56(a). A genuine issue of material fact exists when “the evidence is such that a reasonable
jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party,” and material facts are those “that
might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law.” Anderson v. Liberty Lobby,
Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986).
At the summary judgment stage, the “moving party . . . has both the initial burden
of production and the ultimate burden of persuasion on a motion for summary judgment.”
Nissan Fire Marine Ins. Co. v. Fritz Companies, Inc., 210 F.3d 1099, 1102 (9th Cir. 2000).
But although a movant must demonstrate that there is no genuine issue of material fact, a
movant that would not bear the burden of proof at trial does not have to present evidence.
Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1986) (“[W]e find no express or implied
requirement in Rule 56 that the moving party support its motion with affidavits or other
similar materials negating the opponent’s claim.”). “The evidence of the non-movant is to
be believed, and all justifiable inferences are to be drawn in his favor.” Id. at 255 (citation
omitted); see also Jesinger v. Nev. Fed. Credit Union, 24 F.3d 1127, 1131 (9th Cir. 1994)
(holding that the court determines whether there is a genuine issue for trial but does not
weigh the evidence or determine the truth of matters asserted).
B. Punitive Damages
J.B. Hunt moves the Court to enter summary judgment in Defendants’ favor on the
issue of punitive damages. (Doc. 71.) Arizona law is applicable to determine whether
Plaintiff can recover punitive damages. Med. Lab Mgmt. Consultants v. ABC, 306 F.3d
806, 812 (9th Cir. 2002) (holding that when a lawsuit is removed to federal district court
based on diversity jurisdiction, the court will apply the substantive law of the state in which
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it sits). Under Arizona law, “the only means by which a plaintiff is likely to meet the
punitive damage standard in a negligence action is by demonstrating that the
outrageousness of the defendant’s conduct is such that the defendant had an ‘evil mind’
when engaging in such conduct.” Swift Transp. Co. of Arizona L.L.C. v. Carman in and for
Cnty. of Yavapai, 253 Ariz. 499, 506 (2022). In holding such, the Arizona Supreme Court
emphasized that, in the context of a negligence action, “‘[t]he focus is on the wrongdoer’s
attitude and conduct.’” Id. (citing Volz v. Coleman Co., 155 Ariz. 567, 570 (1987))
(emphasis in original).
“Extreme facts” justify punitive damages. Bachrach v. Covenant Transp. Inc., No.
10-00315-REJ, 2011 WL 1211767, at *2 n.1 (D. Ariz. Mar. 31, 2011). Mere negligence
does not suffice. Monje v. Spin Master Inc., 679 Fed. Appx. 535, 537 (9th Cir. 2017). “To
be entitled to punitive damages in a negligence action, a plaintiff generally must show that
the defendant’s conduct was outrageous, oppressive or intolerable, and created a substantial
risk of tremendous harm, thereby evidencing a conscious and deliberate disregard of the
interests and rights of others.” Id. (citation modified). “Although it is enough that the
defendant had reason to know of the facts creating a substantial risk, it is not enough that
a defendant had reason to appreciate the severity of the risk; the defendant must have
actually appreciated the severity of the risk before consciously disregarding it. Id. at 507.
“A ‘substantial risk of harm’ is the product of outrageous conduct, which society typically
deters by imposing criminal liability,” although there is no requirement that an award of
punitive damages be justified by criminal liability. Id. at 506-07.
Generally, entitlement to punitive damages is proven through circumstantial
evidence. Hawkins v. Allstate Ins., 152 Ariz. 490, 498 (1987). “The question of whether
punitive damages are justified should be left to the jury if there is any reasonable evidence
which will support them.” Farr v. Transamerica Occidental Life Ins., 145 Ariz. 1, 9 (App.
1984).
Plaintiff primarily argues that the following evidence supports an award of punitive
damages: (1) Serrato knew of the risk of driving fatigued and chose to drive fatigued, (2)
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Serrato either falsified his logs or drove in excess of the hours he was permitted to drive,
(3) J.B. Hunt fosters a “culture” of “profits over people,” and (4) J.B. Hunt fails to train
and supervise its drivers. (Doc. 80 at 10-11.) Although the first two theories may be
factually supported, they are insufficient by themselves to justify punitive damages.
Bachrach, 2011 WL 1211767, at *2 (“[Falling] asleep at the wheel, dr[iving] in excess
of . . . permitted hours of service, and ha[ving] a poor driving record . . . do[] not approach
‘clear and convincing evidence’ of an ‘evil mind.’”). But punitive damages may be
awarded if a plaintiff also shows that a defendant rewarded a driver for dangerous conduct
or provided insufficient training and supervision. McAchran v. Knight Transp., Inc., No. 1
CA-CV 08-0091, 2009 WL 888539 (D. Ariz. Apr. 2, 2009) (denying summary judgment
as to punitive damages because an inference could be drawn that the defendant failed to
provide sufficient staffing to monitor drivers).
Plaintiffs present evidence that the training J.B. Hunt provided Serrato was limited
to online videos, quizzes, and standard forms. (Doc. 80 at 3-4.) Serrato testified that close
supervision was similarly lacking. (Id.) A jury could reasonably conclude that J.B. Hunt
appreciated the severity of the risk of driving while fatigued because J.B. Hunt’s training
materials themselves emphasize that point, including a module titled “Dangers of driving
drowsy; how to combat fatigue.” (Doc. 71-1 at 154.) A further inference can be drawn that,
despite acknowledging the risk, the training materials do so little to address the danger that
J.B. Hunt’s conduct amounts to a conscious disregard of the risk. Based on Plaintiffs’
proffered indicia of insufficient training and supervision, genuine issues of material fact
remain as to whether J.B. Hunt acted with an “evil mind” by disregarding a substantial risk
to motorist safety. McAchran, 2009 WL 888539, at *6.
To be sure, J.B. Hunt did provide training to Serrato regarding the risks of driving
while fatigued. (Doc. 71-1 at 154.) J.B. Hunt also required Serrato to sign a “Driver Safety
Commitment Card” which states that Serrato would “be rested and alert any time I am
behind the wheel” and that he would “make [his] supervisor aware of any safety concerns
[he had].” (Id. at 56.) J.B. Hunt argues that this forecloses the possibility of punitive
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damages as a matter of law. But while this evidence is relevant and may ultimately persuade
a jury that punitive damages are unwarranted, a reasonable jury could still draw the
inference that J.B. Hunt prioritized safety in form rather than substance or otherwise
tolerated misconduct through willful blindness. Summary judgment is not appropriate as
to punitive damages.
While the Court will deny J.B. Hunt’s request to grant summary judgment on
punitive damages, the Court will grant J.B. Hunt’s motion to the extent it argues that
Plaintiffs be foreclosed from raising certain theories at trial. See Fed. R. Civ. Proc. 56(g)
(stating that courts “may enter an order stating any material fact – including an item of
damages or other relief – that is not genuinely in dispute and treating the fact as established
in the case”). First, the Court finds that Plaintiffs cannot establish that J.B. Hunt fostered
an “unsafe work culture.” To support their claim for punitive damages, Plaintiffs advance
the theory that J.B. Hunt “created an unsafe work culture wherein drivers were encouraged
to break the safety rules.” (Doc. 80 at 11.) The only supporting evidence advanced is Mr.
Serrato’s deposition testimony, which states that Mr. Serrato believed he would be fired if
he did not drive fatigued. (Id. [citing Doc. 80-1 at 38-39].)
A culture is a “set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes
an institution or organization.” Culture, Merriam-Webster,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture (last visited January 7, 2026)
(emphasis added). At trial, Plaintiff would have to prove a companywide set of unsafe
practices, and the cited testimony falls short of supporting a reasonable inference about
widespread values and practices at J.B. Hunt. Mr. Serrato’s testimony does not shed light
on why felt this way, and Plaintiff does not provide any additional, specific conduct, policy,
or institutional practices from which a reasonable jury could inter that J.B. Hunt supported
a culture of unsafe practices. Moreover, if testimony states only conclusions, the Court is
not weighing the evidence when it discards it. See U.S. v. Shumway, 199 F.3d 1093, 1104
(9th Cir. 1999) (acknowledging that, for purposes of summary judgment, “if [an] affidavit
stated only conclusions, and not such facts as would be admissible in evidence”) (citation
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modified). The relevant testimony was produced in response to questions about whether he
“believe[d]” and “felt” that he would be fired, conclusory statements, not facts. (Doc. 801
at 39); Ventress v. Smith, 35 U.S. 161, 171 (1836) (“The belief of a witness is a conclusion
from facts. The witness should state facts, and the conclusion to be drawn from them, rests
with the jury.”) Accordingly, Plaintiff may not proceed at trial on the theory that punitive
damages are justified because of an unsafe culture.
Plaintiffs may not proceed under a novel theory that Mr. Serrato falsified his logs
or drove in excess of the hours permitted. Plaintiffs must allege all factual and legal bases
for claims in the complaint. Coleman v. Quaker Oats Co., 232 F.3d 1271, 1292 (9th Cir.
2000). If discovery leads to new facts supporting additional theories, a plaintiff must
request leave to amend the complaint to pursue the newly discovered claims. Pickern v.
Pier 1 Imports (U.S.), Inc., 457 F.3d 963, 969 (9th Cir. 2006). In Pickern, the plaintiff’s
complaint focused on the defendant’s refusal to build an accessibility ramp. Id. at 968. She
attempted to introduce evidence of architectural barriers inside the store for the first time
in a response to a motion for summary judgment. Id. at 969. The Pickern court found that
the plaintiff “failed to provide adequate notice of the new allegations.” Id. Similarly, in
Plaintiffs’ Response to Motion for Partial Summary Judgment, they raise, for the first time,
the theory that Mr. Serrato falsified his logs or drove in excess of permitted hours. Nowhere
in the complaint or previous motions do Plaintiffs allege that Serrato falsified his driving
log or drove longer than permitted by law. The Court will not permit Plaintiffs to proceed
on this theory at trial.
C. Direct Negligence
J.B. Hunt also moves the Court to grant summary judgment in favor of J.B. Hunt
with respect to all of Plaintiffs’ direct negligence claims. (Doc. 71 at 8-14.) Those claims
include negligent hiring, training, supervision, and entrustment. (Id.)
1. Absence of Expert Support
First, the Court addresses whether Plaintiffs can sustain their direct negligence
claims without expert testimony to establish the standard of care. J.B. Hunt argues that
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Plaintiffs’ direct negligence claims fail as a matter of law because Plaintiffs have not
advanced expert opinions to support them. (Doc. 71 at 13.) Plaintiffs respond that they can
rely on federal regulations to establish the standard of care. (Doc. 80 at 15-16.)
When “factual issues are outside the common understanding of jurors,” expert
testimony is required. Thomas v. Goudreault, 163 Ariz. 159, 171 (App. 1989). That means
a plaintiff who alleges a specific, specialized duty of care requiring knowledge beyond that
known by the ordinary layman must present expert testimony “as to the care and
competence prevalent in the business or profession.” St. Joseph’s Hosp. & Med. Ctr. v.
Reserve Life Ins., 154 Ariz. 307, 315 (1987) (citing Powder Horn Nursery, Inc. v. Soil &
Plant Lab., Inc., 119 Ariz. 78, 81-82 (App. 1978)). However, expert testimony is not
required where “the negligence is so grossly apparent that a layman would have no
difficulty in recognizing it.” Riedesser v. Nelson, 111 Ariz. 542, 544 (App. 1975).
J.B. Hunt’s argument rests primarily on an unpublished district court decision from
the District of New Mexico, Ngo v. Slaughter, No. 2:23-cv-00056-SMD-DLM, 2025 WL
1361734 (D.N.M. May 8, 2025). (Doc. 84 at 11.) Like here, that case involved claims
against J.B. Hunt for negligent hiring, training, and supervision of a commercial truck
driver. Ngo, 2025 WL 1361734. The court found that expert testimony was necessary to
sustain the plaintiff’s negligent training claim because that “claim would require the jury
to consider [the Defendant driver’s] experience, what would constitute reasonable training,
and whether the training provided was sufficient.” Id. at *6. J.B. Hunt cites Ngo for the
proposition that, “[w]ithout the benefit of expert testimony, the jury would be left to
speculate as to particularities of commercial truck driver hiring, training, and supervision
when analyzing Plaintiffs’ direct negligence claims.” (Doc. 84 at 11.)
J.B. Hunt overstates Ngo’s holding. In addition to the nonbinding nature of the
court’s decision, the court applied New Mexico, not Arizona, law. Moreover, the District
of New Mexico court denied only the negligent training claim, stating that its reasoning
did not extend to the other direct negligence claims. Ngo, 2025 WL 1361734, at *6
(predicting “that the New Mexico Supreme Court would require expert testimony [to
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support] Plaintiff’s negligent training claim.”). For the reasons stated below, and based on
the record before it, the Court finds that Ngo is distinguishable, and the Court declines to
follow it.
Expert testimony likely would have strengthened Plaintiffs’ case, but its absence
does not warrant summary judgment on this record. The standards of care under the direct
negligence claims may be established by referencing the federal regulations, namely the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Contreras v. Brown, No. CV-17-08217, 2019
WL 1980837, at *5 (D. Ariz. May 3, 2019) (analyzing, in the absence of any expert
testimony, Plaintiffs claims for negligent hiring and training under the framework set out
by the FMCSRs); see also Hagan v. Gemstate Mfg. Inc., 939 P.2d 141, 147 (Or. Ct. App.
1997) (“Federal and state regulations are generally subject to judicial notice, whether or
not they are binding on a particular party.”); 49 C.F.R. §§ 300-399. Moreover, at oral
argument, Plaintiffs indicated their intention to use lay testimony from a J.B. Hunt
employee to establish the applicable standards of care. At this stage, the Court will not
definitively presume that such evidence is insufficient.
Here, Plaintiffs identify the applicable FMCSRs that govern commercial drivers’
qualifications and training. (Doc. 80 at 16.) J.B. Hunt responds that lay jurors may not
possess the ability to apply certain FMCSRs because they do not provide sufficient detail
that would allow a layperson to determine whether a driver’s training was sufficient to
make the driver “competent.” (Doc. 84 at 10.) But competence, when measured by the
ability to stay off the road while fatigued, is not necessarily “so esoteric that a lay juror
would have difficulty understanding it.” Uiagalelei v. State, No. 1 CA-CV 19-0274, 2020
WL 5249228, at *3 (Ariz. App. Sept. 3, 2020). Although the commercial trucking industry,
in some contexts, involves specialized standards of care, this case does not require the jury
to assess the technical sufficiency of a complex training program. See Ngo, 2025 WL
1361734, at *6 (finding expert testimony necessary in a case involving the sufficiency of
retraining, rather than just training, as implemented on a driver who “held his commercial
trucking license for over thirty years and was a seasoned driver, increasing the complexity
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of what constitutes ‘proper’ training.”). Although some of the FMCSRs’ standards are less
detailed, the Court will not bar a jury from applying them, in addition to the standards J.B.
Hunt concedes “a layperson would have no issue analyzing (such as the requirements for
a driver to be considered qualified to drive a commercial vehicle . . . ).” (Doc. 84 at 10.)
Plaintiffs’ direct negligence claims may move forward notwithstanding the absence of
expert support.
2. Negligent Hiring
“[F]or a negligent hiring claim to lie, the employer must have known or had some
reason to know of the employee’s incompetence before hiring the employee.” Hernandez
v. Singh, No. CV-17-08091-PCT-DWL, 2019 WL 367994, at *6 (D. Ariz. Jan. 30, 2019).
Arizona follows the Restatement (Second) of Agency § 213, which states that liability is
“predicated on the employer’s hiring of a person under circumstances antecedently giving
the employer reason to believe that the person, by reason of some attribute of character or
prior conduct, would create an undue risk of harm to others in carrying out his or her
employment responsibilities.” Restatement (Second) of Agency § 213, cmt. d (1952); see
also Kassman v. Busfield Enters., 131 Ariz. 163 (App. 1981) (noting that Arizona has
adopted the Restatement (Second) of Agency § 213).
Before hiring Serrato, J.B. Hunt investigated his background, confirmed that he
possessed a Commercial Driver’s License, and saw that he had graduated from the C. R.
England driving school. (Doc. 71 at 9.) But what matters is what J.B. Hunt “should have
known.” Hernandez, 2019 WL 367994, at *6 (emphasis added). Plaintiff demonstrates
facts that, arguably, would put a reasonable employer on notice that a candidate was not
competent behind the wheel. Serrato had two weeks of training and did not have experience
with multi-state drives. (Doc. 80-1 at 6.) Although J.B. Hunt did not uncover these facts, a
jury could find that a reasonable pre-employment investigation would have revealed these
facts. J.B. Hunt has not demonstrated that, as a matter of law, Plaintiff’s negligent hiring
claim fails.
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3. Negligent Supervision
“[T]o prove negligent supervision, the plaintiff must show the employer knew or
should have known the employee was incompetent and that the employer subsequently
failed to supervise the employee, ultimately causing the harm at issue.” Hernandez, 2019
WL 367994, at *7; see also Vasquez v. City of Phoenix, No. CV-04-481-PHX-DGC, 2006
WL 1147716, at *4 (D. Ariz. 2006). “The plaintiff must show that the defendant had a
reason and opportunity to act, failed to adequately discharge his duty to supervise, and
thereby contributed to the cause of the accident.” Krieg v. Schwartz, No.
CV-13-00710-PHX-DLR, 2015 WL 12669893, at *10 (D. Ariz. Aug. 19, 2015) (citation
modified).
To show J.B. Hunt knew or should have known of Serrato’s incompetence, Plaintiffs
point to J.B. Hunt’s internal reports that recorded Serrato’s incidents, including citations,
violations, and collisions. (Doc. 71-1 at 39-152.) J.B. Hunt retorts that none of the incidents
involved the operation of a motor vehicle while fatigued. (Doc. 84 at 9.) But the Court will
not draw an inference in J.B. Hunt’s favor that Serrato’s repeated safety incidents are not
enough to prompt heightened supervision by virtue of the fact that they do not involve
fatigue.
J.B. Hunt argues “Plaintiffs do not . . . explain how additional supervision of Serrato
would have prevented the collision from occurring.” (Doc. 84 at 9.) That is not true.
Plaintiffs argue that increased supervision would have averted the collision by either
providing Serrato with additional guidance on the increased risk of driving while fatigued
or increasing the probability that J.B. Hunt would have discovered evidence of his
incompetence. (Doc. 80 at 13.) Plaintiffs are not required to prove with certainty that
additional supervision would have prevented the collision. They must only present
evidence from which a reasonable jury could conclude that J.B. Hunt’s failure to supervise
contributed to the harm. The evidence of repeated safety incidents may permit a reasonable
inference that heightened supervision would have reduced the risk that Serrato would
continue operating a commercial vehicle while unfit to do so.
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4. Negligent Training
“To prevail on a negligent training claim, a plaintiff must show a defendant’s
training or lack thereof was negligent” by presenting “evidence showing what training
should have been provided, and that its omission proximately caused the plaintiff’s
injuries.” Lucero v. STI Trucking Inc., No CV-22-08035-PCT-SMB, 2024 WL 4817946,
at *5 (D. Ariz. Jan. 4, 2024) (quoting Guerra v. State, 234 Ariz. 482, 489 (App. 2014)). “A
showing of an employee’s incompetence is not necessarily enough; the plaintiff must also
present evidence showing what training should have been provided, and that its omission
proximately caused the plaintiff’s injuries.” Guerra, 234 Ariz. at 772-73.
J.B. Hunt argues that Plaintiffs’ negligent training claim fails as a matter of law,
primarily because Serrato acknowledged a written policy warning against driving while
fatigued. (Docs. 71 at 11, 71-1 at 51, 84 at 10.) To be sure, Plaintiffs have no basis to
support their contention that J.B. Hunt “did NOT provide any information, guidance, or
advice regarding what to do when the drivers feel fatigued behind the wheel.” (Doc. 80 at
14) (emphasis in original). J.B. Hunt supplied and Serrato signed a form that not only
instructed drivers “not to drive while feeling overly . . . fatigued,” but also “direct[ed
drivers] to find a safe, legal parking place off the road.” (Doc. 71-1 at 51.)
While the Court does not accept Plaintiffs’ characterization that J.B. Hunt provided
no instruction at all regarding fatigued driving, Plaintiffs’ negligent training claim is not
foreclosed as a matter of law. The question still remains whether J.B. Hunt should have
imposed a more extensive training program on Serrato, and that is a question for the jury.
Although Plaintiffs do not specify an exact alternative training regimen that should have
been implemented, Rule 56 does not demand such precision. Plaintiffs do point to evidence
that J.B. Hunt provided no behind-the-wheel training, no defensive driving training, no
training on the FMCSRs Rules, no training on the Arizona CDL manual, and no meetings,
trainings, or in-person instructions regarding drowsy driving beyond a single video.
(Docs. 80 at 14, 80-1 at 5-6, 9-10.) Viewing these contentions in the light most favorable
to Plaintiffs, a reasonable jury could conclude that J.B. Hunt’s generalized written
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admonitions were insufficient and that the absent trainings identified by Plaintiffs “should
have been provided.” Guerra, 237 Ariz. at 772-73.
5. Negligent Entrustment
To prevail on a claim of negligent entrustment, a plaintiff must prove:
(1) that Defendant owned or controlled a vehicle; (2) Defendant gave the
driver permission to operate a vehicle; (3) the driver, by virtue of his physical
or mental condition, was incompetent to drive safely; (4) the Defendant knew
or should have known that the driver, by virtue of his physical or mental
condition, was incompetent to drive safely; (5) causation; and (6) damages.
Hernandez, 2019 WL 367994, at *6 (internal citation omitted); see also Verduzco v. Am.
Valet, 240 Ariz. 221, 224 (App. 2016) (holding that “Arizona recognizes a cause of action
for negligent entrustment as set forth in Restatement (Second) of Torts . . . § 390 (1965)”).
J.B. Hunt argues that Plaintiffs cannot satisfy two of the elements: (1) “the driver,
by virtue of his physical or mental condition, was incompetent to drive safely,” and (2)
“the Defendant knew or should have known that the driver, by virtue of his physical or
mental condition, was incompetent to drive safely.” (Doc. 71 at 11-12.) Hernandez, 2019
WL 367994, at *3 (internal citation omitted). While the “peculiar circumstances of the
case” may cause incompetence, courts generally look to indicia of the overall fitness of the
individual entrusted with the vehicle to determine whether the defendant should have
known of the incompetence. Hernandez, 2019 WL 367994, at *3-4 (considering, among
other things, the driver’s amount of schooling, collision history, and years of training)
(citing Tellez v. Saban, 188 Ariz. 165, 171 (App. 1996); Restatement (Second) of Torts
§ 390); Lucero v. STI Trucking Inc., 2024 WL 4817946, at *4 (D. Ariz. Jan. 4, 2024).
A reasonable jury could conclude that Serrato was incompetent to drive at the time
of the collision. Serrato testified that he knew he was unfit to drive when he arrived at work
on the day of the collision. (Doc. 80-1 at 11, 38, 50-51.) Officers performed field sobriety
tests on him because he appeared to be intoxicated. (Id. at 54-55.) There is also a triable
issue of fact as to whether J.B. Hunt knew or should have known of the incompetence. J.B.
Hunt maintains that it did not know Serrato was fatigued on that day and that it had no
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reason to know, since Serrato had no history of driving while fatigued. (Doc. 84 at 10.) As
explained in the discussion concerning negligent supervision, supra III.C.3., it is not
appropriate for the Court to draw the inference that repeated non-fatigue-related safety
incidents were not enough to supply J.B. Hunt with constructive knowledge that Serrato’s
driving would create a substantial risk. The Court must deny J.B. Hunt’s request for
summary judgment as to Plaintiffs’ claim for negligent entrustment.
In sum, the Court will not grant summary judgment on any of Plaintiffs’ claims, but
Plaintiffs will be foreclosed from raising certain theories.
III. MOTIONS TO EXCLUDE EXPERT TESTIMONY
Plaintiffs intend to have two life care planning experts testify about Plaintiffs’ future
medical care—Dr. Civiello would testify on Ms. Encarnacion’s and Dr. Cherukupally on
Mr. Hanifon’s. (Docs. 69, 70.) J.B. Hunt moves to strike and exclude portions of the report
and proposed testimony of both experts on substantially identical bases. (Id.)
A. Legal Standard
A trial court must decide, pursuant to Rule 104(a), whether an expert’s testimony is
admissible. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc. (Daubert I), 509 U.S. 579, 592 (1993).
Federal Rule of Evidence 702 governs the admissibility of expert testimony. Id. at 588.
Rule 702 provides:
A witness who is qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience,
training, or education may testify in the form of an opinion or otherwise if:
(a) the expert’s scientific, technical, or other specialized
knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand the evidence
or to determine a fact in issue;
(b) the testimony is based on sufficient facts or data;
(c) the testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods;
and
(d) the expert has reliably applied the principles and methods to
the facts of the case.
Fed. R. Evid. 702. “The inquiry envisioned by Rule 702 is . . . a flexible one.” Daubert I,
509 U.S. at 594 (holding also that “[v]igorous cross-examination, presentation of contrary
evidence, and careful instruction on the burden of proof are the traditional and appropriate
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means of attacking shaky but admissible evidence”).
The expert testimony must be relevant. Daubert I, 509 U.S. at 591 (holding that
Rule 702(a) “goes primarily to relevance.”). “Expert opinion testimony is relevant if the
knowledge underlying it has a valid connection to the pertinent inquiry.” Alaska
Rent-A-Car, Inc. v. Avis Budget Grp., Inc., 738 F.3d 960, 969 (9th Cir. 2010).
Relevant “scientific . . . knowledge” is admissible, which the United States Supreme
Court defines as “an inference or assertion [that] must be derived by the scientific method.
Daubert I, 509 U.S. at 590. It does not mean “absolute certainty.” Id. To be admissible,
expert testimony must satisfy the following requirements: (1) the expert is qualified to
testify competently regarding the matters he intends to address; (2) the methodology by
which the expert reaches his conclusions is sufficiently reliable as determined by the sort
of inquiry mandated in Daubert I; and (3) the testimony assists the trier of fact, through the
application of scientific, technical, or specialized expertise, to understand the evidence or
to determine a fact in issue. Id. at 589.
“[S]omething doesn’t become ‘scientific knowledge’ just because it’s uttered by a
scientist; nor can an expert’s self-serving assertion that [his] conclusions were ‘derived by
the scientific method’ be deemed conclusive . . . .” Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc.
(Daubert II), 43 F.3d 1311, 1315-16 (9th Cir. 1995), cert. denied, 516 U.S. 869 (1995). An
expert “must explain precisely how they went about reaching their conclusions and point
to some objective source . . . to show that they have followed the scientific method, as it is
practiced by (at least) a recognized minority of scientists in their field.” Id. at 1319.
Although “[t]rained experts commonly extrapolate from existing data . . . nothing in either
Daubert or the Federal Rules of Evidence requires a district court to admit opinion evidence
that is connected to existing data only by the ipse dixit of the expert. A court may conclude
that there is simply too great an analytical gap between the data and the opinion proffered.”
Gen. Elec. Co. v. Joiner, 522 U.S. 136, 146 (1997). The party advancing the expert
testimony bears the burden of demonstrating that the testimony is admissible under Rule
702. Cooper v. Brown, 510 F.3d 870, 942 (9th Cir. 2007); Lust ex rel. Lust v. Merrell Dow
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Pharm., Inc., 89 F.3d 594, 598 (9th Cir. 1996).
B. Dr. Civiello
Plaintiff Edelmira Encarnacion has identified Dr. Caitlin Civiello of the expert
witness firm, LCPpro LLC, as the life care planning expert that plans to testify as to her
future medical care. (Doc. 70 at 12-53.) Dr. Civiello is an emergency room physician and
a certified life care planner. (Id. at 2.) She authored a life care plan that purports to identify
the care that Ms. Encarnacion will need in the future and the price for that care. (Id. at
12-39.) J.B. Hunt argues that her opinions are speculative, unreliable, and lack the
foundation necessary for admission into evidence. (Id. at 1.) J.B. Hunt moves the Court to
exclude Dr. Civiello from offering testimony regarding: (1) any future care not
recommended by Ms. Encarnacion’s medical providers and/or a medical expert, and (2)
any opinion premised upon the so-called “LCPPro Cost Median Research Database.” Id.
at 1-2.
1. Medical Foundation
J.B. Hunt contends that Dr. Civiello’s life care plan lacks medical foundation
because Dr. Civiello does not have the requisite expertise and did not consider
comprehensive enough evidence. (Id. at 4-6.) J.B. Hunt suggests that any incongruity
between Dr. Civiello’s testimony and the recommendations of Ms. Encarnacion’s treating
physicians or medical specialists. (Id. at 1-2.) The Court disagrees.
There is no requirement that an expert’s opinions agree with the recommendations
of a treating physician. That is why it is common to have competing testimony between a
treating physician and medical expert. See Ioane v. Spjute, No. 1:07-CV-0620-AWI-EPG,
2020 WL 2793073, at *5 (E.D. Cal. May 29, 2020) (finding that “[a] medical expert does
not need to be a treating physician” and noting that “[n]on-treating physicians regularly
qualify as expert witnesses”). Weighing or otherwise interpreting the difference between a
treating physician and medical expert’s opinions is often a question of weight, not
admissibility. See Walker v. Colvin, No. ED CV 14-2072-SP, 2016 WL 1118212, at *3
(C.D. Cal. Mar. 21, 2016) (finding that “[t]here is no requirement that the treating
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physician’s opinion must be given the greatest weight”); see also Primiano v. Cook, 598
F.3d 558, 565 (9th Cir. 2010) (holding that, “[i]n evaluating proffered expert testimony,
the trial court is “a gatekeeper, not a fact finder”) (citation and quotation marks omitted).
Regardless, Dr. Civiello’s opinions do conform, at least in part, to recommendations
made by Ms. Encarnacion’s treating providers. Dr. Gilbert Mbeo, one of Ms. Encarnacion’s
treating provider, recommended neurological treatments, including a stellate ganglion
block “to help with her PTSD and anxiety.” (Doc. 76-1 at 23.) J.B. Hunt points to the fact
that Ms. Encarnacion never followed up on her provider’s recommendation or received the
injection. (Doc. 70 at 5.) Dr. Civiello testified that Ms. Encarcion’s failure to return to her
neurologist was not evidence of the absence of medical necessity and instead reflected that
she was nervous about receiving another injection. (Doc. 76-1 at 11-12.) To the extent
treating physicians did make recommendations that aligned with Dr. Civiello’s opinion,
J.B. Hunt’s challenge collapses into an argument against Dr. Civiello’s credibility. It is a
question of fact, not admissibility, whether Ms. Encarnacion’s failure to return to her
provider to receive the injection was evidence of the absence of medical necessity.
To the extent Dr. Civiello’s opinions diverge from specific recommendations, the
Court concludes that those opinions may nonetheless stand on her independent review of
the medical records and literature, and her experience as a licensed physician and certified
life care planner. Dr. Civiello purports that her “recommendations of future care are based
on 1) provider recommendations and patterns of care, 2) prior experience, and 3) evidence-
based literature.” (Doc. 70 at 16, 34-36.) Dr. Civiello reviewed a pre-assessment
questionnaire completed by Ms. Encarnacion, conducted an assessment, reviewed Ms.
Encarnacion’s medical records, and consulted with her treating physicians. (Id. at 16,
23-28, 33.) Dr. Civiello received her M.D. from the Tufts University School of Medicine
and maintains a certification in life care planning and in emergency medicine. (Doc. 70-1
at 13.) She has extensive experience in life care planning and emergency treatment and
pain management, including steroid injections and trigger point injections. (Doc. 76-1 at
8-9.) Still, J.B. Hunt argues that her opinions are inadmissible because she does not have
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credentials in orthopedics, neurology, and psychology. (Doc. 70 at 45-46.) She also lacks
experience providing non-emergency treatment and pain management care. (Id.)
“Although the fact that a physician may be a board certified specialist may warrant giving
greater weight to that physician’s opinion on an issue in his or her area of expertise,” “there
is no requirement that a physician be actively practicing, or practicing in a particular area
of, medicine in order to qualify as a medical expert.” May v. Astrue, No. C09-5591KLS,
2010 WL 3947502, at *9 (W.D. Wash. Oct. 6, 2010). The Court will therefore not exclude
Dr. Civiello’s testimony by virtue of the fact that she is not a specialist in all areas of care
outlined in her report. The jury may weigh her testimony accordingly.
2. The LCPPro Database
In addition to identifying future care, Dr. Civiello also estimated the “usual,
customary, and reasonable” (“UCR”) cost of that care using the LCPPro Median Cost
Research Database. (Doc. 70 at 17.) The LCPpro Database is a:
Confidential, proprietary, and trade secret database that LCPpro® created
utilizing data from more than 2,000 cases. LCPpro®’s Median Cost Research
is based on actual provider charges and actual provider estimates for
injections and surgeries. LCPpro®’s Median Cost Research utilizes
information from the last 24 months to identify the median charge from its
extensive database to provide a cost estimate for a particular injection or
surgery. LCPpro®’s Median Cost Research proprietary database is update
on a quarterly basis (when applicable).
(Id. at 19.) The data consists of only medical bills from cases where an LCPpro expert was
retained to author a life care plan. (Id. at 47.) In other words, the care LCPpro references
in the data is care provided almost exclusively to personal injury plaintiffs. (Id. at 48.) An
LCPpro employee, Shelene Giles, maintains the database. (Id. at 50.)
Defendants move to exclude Dr. Civiello’s testimony that relies on the database.
(Doc. 70.) Defendants point out that numerous courts have excluded expert testimony
based on similar data. (Id. at 7-9.) The Northern District of Georgia recently found that an
LCPpro expert could not offer opinions based on the LCPpro Database because it was
confidential, so the jury could not “probe its functioning or accuracy.” Hoyle v. Mitchell,
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No. 1:22-CV-00488-SEG, at *7 (N.D. Ga. June 21, 2024). The District of Wyoming
excluded the opinion of an expert based on a “proprietary and confidential” medical billing
for the same reason. Elsasser v. Devon Energy Prod. Co., No. 21-CV-0182, 2023 WL
4490401 (D. of Wyo. Feb. 3, 2023). Numerous courts have also excluded medical pricing
expert opinions that were based on data from the Fair Health Data Base. See Belcher v.
Kelly, No. 19-cv-03367-REB-NYW, 2021 WL 62256 (D. Colo. Jan. 6, 2021). In addition
to the proprietary nature of the data, these courts take issue with the fact that “the FH
database is comprised entirely of sample data purporting to characterize the population of
all healthcare charges for the State of Wyoming.” Elsasser, 2023 WL 4490401, at *9.
The problems identified by those courts are present here too. Like the FH Database,
the LCPpro Database is based on a limited sample of data, despite being relied upon for
conclusions about a broader population. (Doc. 70 at 47-48); Elsasser, 2023 WL 4490401,
at *9. Moreover, a jury cannot “probe its functioning or accuracy” because it is proprietary.
(Doc. 70 at 50.) This Court similarly finds that Dr. Civiello’s expert testimony must be
excluded under Rule 702 to the extent that it relies upon the LCPpro Database.
Still, Plaintiffs make it “excruciatingly clear” that the LCPpro Database is not a
methodology, but merely facts relied upon. (Doc. 76 at 7.) But even assuming this is true,
an admissible expert opinion is based on reliable methodologies and sufficient facts. Fed.
R. Evid. 502(b), (c). Plaintiffs paint the LCPpro Database as a compilation of preexisting,
independent data. The database is maintained by LCPpro personnel, populated exclusively
with medical bills drawn from cases in which LCPpro was retained as a litigation expert,
and offered by LCPpro experts in support of LCPpro opinions. (Doc. 70 at 47-48, 50.) The
database that Plaintiffs portray as a neutral repository of facts exists only because Dr.
Civiello’s firm selected and compiled those facts, a methodological choice. Plaintiffs
cannot sidestep Rule 702 by rebranding the output of their opaque data selection process
as “facts.” Dr. Civiello’s opinions that are based on the LCPpro Database are inadmissible.
B. Dr. Cherukupally
Like Dr. Civiello, Dr. Cherukupally is a life care planning expert employed by the
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expert witness firm, LCPpro. (Doc. 69 at 1.) Plaintiffs authored a life care plan for Mr.
Hanifon, and Plaintiffs plan to offer his testimony on Mr. Hanifon’s future medical care
needs. (Id.) Defendants move to exclude much of Dr. Cherukupally’s testimony. (Doc.
69.) The bases of Defendants’ challenge and Plaintiffs’ response are substantially similar
to those raised with respect to Dr. Civiello.
Defendants argue Dr. Cherukupally’s opinion lacks medical foundation because Dr.
Cherukupally is not a certified specialist concerning every treatment she includes in her
plan. (Id. at 4.) They also argue her opinions diverge from the recommendations made by
Mr. Hanifon’s treating physician. (Id. at 4-5.) Again, there is no requirement that an
expert’s opinions agree with the recommendations of a treating physician. See supra
III.B.1. As with Dr. Civiello, Dr. Cherukupally possesses experience and qualifications as
a physician and life care planner. (Doc. 75 at 6.) Her opinions align, at least in part, with
the recommendations of Mr. Hanifon’s treating physicians. (Doc. 75-1 at 27, 34-35, 42,
44, 47, 51, 54, 56, 58, 61.) The Court will not exclude Dr. Cherukupally’s opinions in their
entirety.
The Court, however, will exclude Dr. Cherukupally’s opinions based on the LCPpro
Database for the same reasons that it is excluding those of Dr. Civiello. See supra III.B.2.
Unlike Dr. Civiello, Dr. Cherukupally relied on her team to calculate averages and medians
of data in the LCPpro Database. (Docs. 69 at 5-6, 75 at 7-8.) Although the parties make
much of this fact, it does not alter the Court’s analysis.
IV. MOTION FOR ATTORNEYS’ FEES
On October 3, 2025, after the Court held a show-cause hearing, Plaintiffs were
ordered to reimburse J.B. Hunt in the amount of J.B. Hunt’s attorneys’ fees and expenses
incurred related to the cancelled deposition of Dr. Civiello, including preparing for the
deposition, the court reporter and videographer, bringing the motion to extend Defendants’
deadlines, and preparing and appearing at the hearing regarding the order to show cause.
(Doc. 67.) Defendants filed a Motion for Attorneys’ Fees, seeking $2,792.00 (Doc. 79).
But on January 5, 2026, J.B. Hunt filed a notice apprising the Court that it reached an
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agreement with Plaintiffs regarding the sums ought, and no further action is necessary from
the Court on the motion. (Doc. 93.) The Court will therefore deny the motion (Doc. 79) as
moot.
V. CONCLUSION
IT IS ORDERED that Defendants’ Motion for Partial Summary Judgment
(Doc. 71) is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART. The Court will not grant
summary judgment on any of Plaintiffs’ claims, but Plaintiffs will be foreclosed from
raising the following theories at trial: (1) J.B. Hunt fostered an unsafe work culture, and
(2) Mr. Serrato falsified his logs or drove in excess of the hours permitted.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants’ Motion to Exclude Testimony of
Dr. Caitlin Civiello (Doc. 70) is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART. Dr.
Civiello may not offer opinions that are based on the LCPpro Database.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Defendants’ Motion to Exclude Testimony of
Dr. Pallavi Cherukupally (Doc. 69) is GRANTED IN PART AND DENIED IN PART.
Dr. Cherukupally may not offer opinions that are based on the LCPpro Database.
IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that Defendant J.B. Hunt’s Motion for Attorneys’
Fees and Costs (Doc. 79) is DENIED as moot.
Dated this 12th day of January, 2026.
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