Plaintiffs often desire short cuts to damage measurements. Given the cost of using experts employing proper methods and data, the temptation is obvious. For example, business valuation programs are commonly available that will spit out a result once the user inputs a few financial statistics for the subject company. Why pay thousands of dollars for a business valuation that follows valuation standards, when the program can be purchased for less than a thousand dollars, and the result can be obtained shortly after the program is loaded?
In McGinty vs. Hennen, 372 S.W.3d 625 (Tex. June 29, 2012), the Texas Supreme Court overturned a damages award using this type of software. This particular case involves the use of a commonly-used insurance-industry software program, but the principle is much broader. Damages cannot be calculated properly using rules of thumb or automated valuation models. This article describes the details and the Court’s decision.
