ITURRINO CARRILLO, CARLOS V. MARINA PUERTO DEL REY

Judgment from the Puerto Rico Court of Appeals concerning a damages case stemming from alleged boat vandalism at a marina. Plaintiffs sued the marina and security company, claiming negligence led to their boat sinking and seeking substantial damages. A central element of the plaintiffs' case involved the testimony of a security expert. Plaintiffs announced the expert's retention in May 2021, providing his resume and relevant documentation. The expert later participated in a site inspection attended by all parties' legal representatives. Defendants moved to exclude the expert's testimony, arguing plaintiffs failed to provide a summary of his opinions during discovery. The lower court granted the exclusion, citing the plaintiffs' failure to provide both the expert's CV and a summary of his opinions as required by procedural rules, despite timely announcement. The Court of Appeals determined the lower court erred, concluding the expert was announced opportunely and no extreme situation justified the drastic sanction of exclusion.