Don’t Flip Out: When Using Exhibits at Trial, How Far Does the Plaintiff’s Expert Have to Go to Show Substantial Similarity?

In Ackerman v. Yapp, 2020 IL App (1st) 182708, the court held that demonstrative exhibits must be substantially similar to the original event, and excluded the Plaintiff’s replica dental appliance and video demonstration as misleading. The court also barred the expert’s testimony on permanency due to lack of examination and supporting medical records, emphasizing that exhibits and expert opinions must accurately reflect the actual circumstances.