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Are expert testimonies necessary or reliable?

On Behalf of | Oct 25, 2017 | Doctor Errors |

In a medical malpractice case, you may need to have experts testify on your behalf. It’s important to have an expert in the same field as the doctor who made an error that caused your injury speak about the situation and what could have been done to prevent it. The courts often rely on the professional knowledge of an expert to dictate what is or is not professional behavior and an appropriate standard of care.

Expert testimonies can’t always be trusted, though, so it’s important to guarantee that the expert you have testify in your case doesn’t have any conflict in interests. It would be bad, for instance, for an expert to testify in your case if he or she has a long-standing relationship with the defendant.

Most medical malpractice cases rely on proving that a doctor did not provide an appropriate level of care to a patient and failed in his or her duties. Demonstrating what a standard is in a particular field could be difficult, though, especially if there are few doctors who can perform a surgery or technique that is in question. It could be difficult to find anyone willing to speak against another medical provider, particularly if that person is one of only a few medical providers who can perform a much-needed service.

There are many reasons why medical malpractice cases are complicated, and these are just a few. Vetting any specialist you want to have testify is an important job for your attorney. A good testimony can make a judge or jury feel for your situation and can help you win a case.

Source: FindLaw, “How Reliable Is Doctor Testimony in Medical Malpractice Cases?,” Christopher Coble, Esq., accessed Oct. 25, 2017

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