--- title: "Economics Expert Was Allowed to Opine on the Cut-Off Date for Damages" meta: "og:description": "The economics expert was permitted to present a damages calculation derived from application of the EDD standard" "og:title": "Economics Expert Was Allowed to Opine on the Cut-Off Date for Damages" author: "Expert Witness Profiler" description: "The economics expert was permitted to present a damages calculation derived from application of the EDD standard" --- # Economics Expert Was Allowed to Opine on the Cut-Off Date for Damages Posted on February 11, 2026 by Expert Witness Profiler This is an employment lawsuit brought by Stephen (Rex) Sanders and Terri Levels, who both worked at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. Sanders served as the Chief Administrative Officer, and Levels served as the Human Resources Officer. In 2023, the District terminated the employment of both Sanders and Levels. Sanders and Levels claimed that they were fired in retaliation for complaining about workplace discrimination. Plaintiff’s motion _in limine_ sought to exclude Defendant’s highly credentialed economic expert [Kaycea Campbell](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Kaycea-Campbell/1561327), Ph.D. from testifying altogether because a portion of her opinion asserted what Plaintiffs contended is a legal conclusion (i.e., that damages should be cut off on the date that Plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew from Defendant’s internal grievance process). ## **Economics Expert Witness** [Kaycea Campbell](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/expert-witness/Kaycea-Campbell/1561327) holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in economics, and has worked, consulted, taught, and published in this field for over two decades. [Get the full story on challenges to Kaycea Campbell’s expert opinions and testimony with an in-depth Challenge Study](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/order/add?eId=1561327&pId=3). ## **Discussion by the Court** Plaintiffs did not challenge Campbell’s qualifications or the reliability of her testimony under [Rule 702](https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_702#:~:text=Rule%20702%20sets%20forth%20the,is%20a%20relatively%20narrow%20inquiry.), but instead challenged her use of the date of Plaintiffs’ withdrawal from the internal grievance appeals process as a cut-off for damages on the basis that this is a legal conclusion. However, Campbell may properly testify that, in her opinion, the Employment Development Department (EDD) requirements for unemployment claims are relevant in order to assess whether damages had been mitigated, and that those requirements involve pursuit of the appeals. Campbell need not be an HR expert to state that, from an economic perspective, the EDD’s guidance is probative of the industry standard, and may then provide the jury with a damages calculation based on applying the EDD’s standard. ## **Held** The Court denied Plaintiffs’ motion to exclude the testimony of Defendant’s economic expert Kaycea Campbell. ## **Key Takeaway** Campbell’s limited opinion about Plaintiffs’ claimed damages is admissible because she properly makes an expert assessment as to the relevant damages cut-off dates. ## **Case Details:** --- ## **You Might Also Like** ![Corrections Expert Was Allowed to Opine on High-Risk Inmates](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-14T204636.906.jpg) [**Corrections Expert Was Allowed to Opine on High-Risk Inmates**](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/economics-expert-was-allowed-to-opine-on-the-cut-off-date-for-damages/corrections-expert-was-allowed-to-opine-on-high-risk-inmates)![Marketing Expert Allowed to Opine on Deception](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-14T192529.431.jpg) [**Marketing Expert Allowed to Opine on Deception**](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/economics-expert-was-allowed-to-opine-on-the-cut-off-date-for-damages/marketing-expert-allowed-to-opine-on-deception)![Expert Testimony on Marine Docks Admitted](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-13T212321.608.jpg) [**Expert Testimony on Marine Docks Admitted**](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/economics-expert-was-allowed-to-opine-on-the-cut-off-date-for-damages/expert-testimony-on-marine-docks-admitted)![Economics Expert Allowed to Opine on Lost Fringe Benefits](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-13T200954.751.jpg) [**Economics Expert Allowed to Opine on Lost Fringe Benefits**](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/economics-expert-was-allowed-to-opine-on-the-cut-off-date-for-damages/economics-expert-allowed-to-opine-on-lost-fringe-benefits)![Sexual Abuse Expert Allowed to Opine on School Policies](https://ewp-blog.expertwitnessprofiler.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/blog-pic-640X480-2026-04-13T182654.308.jpg) [**Sexual Abuse Expert Allowed to Opine on School Policies**](https://expertwitnessprofiler.com/economics-expert-was-allowed-to-opine-on-the-cut-off-date-for-damages/sexual-abuse-expert-allowed-to-opine-on-school-policies)