The Advantages of Being a Medical Expert Witness

Civil litigation is often the result of a person feeling that they have suffered harm due to the negligence of another person or organization. Claims will include seeking damages resulting from court rulings such as failure to provide standard care which may include failure to provide proper medical treatment, failure to prevent probable injury, willful misconduct, failure to obtain correct results from medical tests…etc. An essential component of civil litigation involving physical and emotional harm is the medical expert.

The medical expert provides evidence and testimony for the defense or the plaintiff in a case. He or she is also used in criminal cases where one is accused of committing a crime that involved injury or death. Expert witnesses are typically recruited to testify in cases such as car accidents, medical malpractice claims, slip and fall incidents, improper medical diagnosis or treatment, and much more. Medical experts are recruited by the state, such as in a criminal trial, or used by the defense or plaintiff in a civil lawsuit.

There are many advantages to becoming a medical expert witness. The fee that one receives can be quite substantial. One can make a pretty good living as a medical expert witness. Expert witnesses can be paid by the hour or as a lump sum. Rates can range from $50.00 per hour to over $500.00 per hour. They are paid for their particular medical expertise and for providing the facts, including how they came to their conclusion after studying the facts.

The medical witness can also be considered a valuable part of maintaining the integrity of the judicial system. Most medical witnesses are hired due to the nature of the particular case and because they specialize in that area. There is a high expectation that these expert witnesses are impartial and present their opinions fairly. A quality medical expert can earn a lot of respect and recognition for her work.

Most prosecutors and law firms have their own list of medical witnesses. The attorney will evaluate a case to determine what type of medical expert would help your case. Although they are paid for their services by a law firm or the state, they are required to follow a strict code of ethics. They must also have the experience, education, and qualifications to be considered medical experts. In assessing whether one is a medical expert, judges will consider whether the expert’s opinion has been peer-reviewed in the medical community and whether the opinion has been accepted by others in their field. The guidelines for accepting one as an expert medical witness vary from state to state and at the federal level. In general, most state laws conform to federal rules regarding malpractice expert testimony. It is important that one understands the state and federal guidelines for becoming an expert witness.

The medical witness plays an important role in determining medical malpractice. Courts and juries rely on the testimony of expert witnesses to draw their own conclusions. A medical expert witness is a rewarding and lucrative career.