Most healthcare providers are dedicated to the safety and well-being of their patients. Despite that effort, sometimes things go wrong. Some patients fall victim to healthcare negligence and turn to the legal system for help. Attorneys can examine a medical malpractice case to determine if they should pursue it.
Some people use the terms “expert consultants” and “expert witnesses” interchangeably. This gives the impression the two are the same, which is far from true.
Yes, expert consulting and expert witnessing have characteristics and responsibilities in common, but it’s critical to understand the difference between the two, especially before hiring an expert. This difference can make or break your case.
There are many factors that can make or break a case, especially one’s involving injuries, death(s), or monetary losses. Accident reconstructionists and investigators can often be the deciding factor in lawsuits and insurance claims involving automobile accidents.
Determining if hiring an accident reconstructionist will benefit your case ultimately comes down to what type of accident investigator you hire. Do they have the right traits, experience, and skills to be a positive addition to your case? Or will they simply be an added cost that doesn’t add value? Knowing what to look for in an accident reconstructionist and where you can find one is essential.
Let’s talk hiring expert witnesses. If you’re either considering finding one for a case, or you’ve already been down the road of hiring expert witnesses, each experience is a learning opportunity.
The Internet is swamped with articles on how to hire an expert witness, when you should hire an expert witness, and what expert witnesses do. But what about mistakes to avoid? Even in this area, you can learn from others’ mistakes.
You already know that it takes a specifically qualified individual to be a strong expert witness, and that choosing the right expert witness can make or break your case. However, when attempting to hire an expert witness on your own, you might spend hours and hours locating a potential expert, not including the vetting process, and end up with an expert witness whose testimony is far from sufficient.
So, how do you make sure an expert is the right choice for your case and that their expert testimony and/or opinion is what is needed for a successful outcome? Start with the characteristics of the ideal testifying expert witness below.
What does it take to become an expert witness, and do you have the time and interest in assisting on legal matters?
An expert is a specialist with advanced knowledge in a professional area, such as any medical or hospital personnel, as well as the fields of automotive, finance, engineering, law enforcement or education, to name a few industries. This person has knowledge and expertise in a particular area, which is due to hands-on work in that specific specialty. An expert witness is someone who gives sworn evidence on the applicable standards of care in a court of law.
