Medical Expert Testimony in Injury Claims - Adamson Ahdoot

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The Role of Medical Expert Testimony in Personal Injury Cases 

September 26, 2023 Alan Ahdoot
Home » Blog » The Role of Medical Expert Testimony in Personal Injury Cases 

Personal injury cases can be quite complicated, as they involve intricacies that can be difficult to explain in court. Because of this, most lawyers seek the help of expert witnesses, like medical expert testimony, to strengthen their client’s claims. 

If you’re wondering why you might need the help of expert witnesses, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog, we’ll explore how a medical expert’s testimony can affect the outcome of your case. 

What is An Expert Witness?

In personal injury cases, lawyers call upon two types of witnesses: lay and expert witnesses.

A lay witness is someone who was present at the accident. Their testimonies are based on what they saw during the incident. Meanwhile, an expert witness is a professional with specialized knowledge and training in a specific field relevant to your case. 

Although they weren’t present during the incident, expert witnesses can use their expertise to provide objective opinions on your claim. For example, a medical examiner’s testimony can be used to explain the nature and extent of your injuries. 

If you sustained traumatic brain injuries after a car accident, you can consult a neuropsychologist and ask them to testify on your case. They can use their medical evaluation to explain the long-term implications of your injuries. 

You can also use the testimonies of other medical experts, like psychologists and psychiatrists, to justify pain and suffering. Since pain and suffering are difficult to quantify, you need the help of a medical expert to prove your claims. 

Their testimonies will help the jury understand how your injuries drastically affected your emotional well-being. 

Different Types of Expert Witnesses

Aside from medical experts, there are other types of expert witnesses you can call upon, including:

Accident Reconstructionist

Accident reconstructionists analyze accident scenes to get a detailed account of how and why they happened. Their testimonies can help you establish liability in court. 

Manufacturing Experts

In cases that involve product liability, you can use the testimony of a manufacturing expert to explain how a malfunctioning product, like a defective medical device, injured you.

Financial Specialists

A financial specialist will help you determine and calculate the true value of your losses and damages. 

Vocational Experts

If you want to be compensated for lost wages, you need a vocational expert to evaluate whether you can return to work. They can also help the court understand how your injury affects your career’s future. 

Engineering Experts

Engineering experts are common in premise liability cases. For instance, they can explain how a poorly maintained office or road can lead to catastrophic injuries.

How Testimonies From Medical Experts Can Strengthen Your Case

Here’s how a medical expert’s testimony can strengthen the credibility of your claims:

Credibility

A medical expert’s testimony adds credibility to your case. Their expertise and knowledge empower them to make well-informed, partial opinions, which can hold a lot of weight in the courtroom. 

Clarity

A medical examiner can provide clarity to your claims by translating complex terms into everyday language. They will explain its severity and the treatment you need to recover fully. 

With the help of an expert witness, jurors will be able to understand the extent and nature of your injuries. 

Prognosis

Your personal injury case should also include the long-term implications of your injury. A medical examiner will help you accurately outline your future medical needs in the courtroom.

Expertise

Experts with specializations, like neuropsychologists, can add invaluable insight to your case. They can help the jury understand complex injuries like chronic pain and traumatic brain injury. 

Causation

Establishing liability can be difficult in personal injury cases. But with the help of a medical expert’s testimony, you can establish a link between the at-fault party’s actions and your injuries.

A judge holding a document while using the phone
There are four factors you need to consider when looking for an expert witness.

Factors to Consider When Looking For Expert Witnesses

Choosing the right expert witness to testify to your case can be difficult. To help you out, we’ve listed some of the important factors you need to consider below:

Credentials

Credentials are the first thing you must check when looking for your expert witness. You need to check if your chosen medical expert has all the relevant degrees and certifications to provide expert testimony in court. 

Experience

A good expert witness should have a strong track record of providing credible testimony in cases similar to yours. Before you ask them to testify, do your research first.

Check the previous cases they’ve participated in or contact some of their affiliates to evaluate their reputation in their field. 

Communication Skills

Your expert witness’ communication skills are crucial to your case. They should be able to explain complex concepts in simple terms that your jury can understand. It’s also important that they know how to create a persuasive testimony. 

If you want to increase your chances of winning, you need a medical expert who can communicate effectively. 

Willingness & Availability

Lastly, you need to check the availability of your medical expert. They must be able to provide testimony when needed. Look for an expert who can commit to your trial dates. 

They must also be willing to go through several pre-trial preparations with you to discuss any questions or depositions that the other party may present.

Get Testimonies From A Medical Expert Today

If you need help looking for a medical expert to testify in your case, look no further than Adamson Ahdoot. 

Adamson Ahdoot is a civil litigation firm in California with over 100 years of combined legal experience. With our help, you can trust that the best lawyers will take care of your case with the intimacy and attention to detail of a boutique firm with the expertise of a larger one.

Our compassionate attorneys will provide you with all the support and guidance you need during this difficult time. We’ll help you get a testimony from a reputable medical expert and strengthen your case.

Adamson Ahdoot’s goal is to increase your chances of winning fair compensation. With our help, you can focus on healing while we fight for your rights in the courtroom. 

Call us at (800) 310-1606 and start building a robust personal injury case today.

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