Expert witnesses are vital to a personal injury case as they can enhance the credibility of your injuries and the impact they’ve had on your life. Their expertise establishes the extent of injuries you’ve sustained, and the causation of the accident, and gives a professional, unbiased assessment of damages.
What is an Expert Witness?
An expert witness is an individual with specialized knowledge, skill, education, or experience that goes beyond what is considered common knowledge. Examples of expert witnesses in civil cases include:
- Medical doctors
- Engineers
- Accountants
- Business evaluators
- Accident reconstruction experts
- Forensic scientists
- College Professors
- Nurses
The nature of the accident will usually determine what type of expert witness will be relevant in your case. An expert witness will have the crucial task of breaking down complex information and presenting it in a way a judge or jury can understand. The explanation of an expert witness involves explaining technical or industry-specific jargon, processes, or phenomena. For example, in a medical malpractice case, an experienced surgeon may be used to detail the nuances of a surgical procedure and the type of care a patient should receive.
How Much Do Expert Witnesses Cost?
The amount an expert witness can be paid in your personal injury case will depend on various factors such as their field of expertise, experience, and the complexity of your case. According to the Expert Institute, expert witnesses make around $300 – $400 per hour for their services. However, extremely specialized experts like surgeons and medical experts can charge higher fees from $500 to $1,500.
Typically, these fees will be paid upfront by the personal injury law firm representing you. The total cost of your expert witnesses will ultimately come out of your case settlement if your case is won. Do not fret over the costs as your attorney will include these costs in your settlement negotiation. It is important to remember that your settlement is to make you “whole” for everything you’ve lost, not just cover legal fees.
How are Expert Witness Fees Calculated?
Expert witnesses will provide a clear breakdown of all work involved in your case such as time spent on research, preparation, and testimony. Their cost will also include their credentials, which highlight their qualifications, experience, and the specialized knowledge they bring to the case. Expert witnesses are expected to demonstrate their value by assisting the court reach a just verdict based on their expertise. However, expert witness fees can be negotiated if they were not required to do that much work, or the budget of the settlement was smaller than originally thought.
How Expert Witnesses Can Strengthen Your Case
Expert witnesses can significantly enhance the presentation and understanding of evidence in personal injury cases, especially when evidence is being put in front of a judge or jury. An expert witness report will typically provide the following:
- Clarifying complex information: judges and juries will usually need help translating technical and medical complexities into understandable terms to understand the nuances of a case
- Establishing causation: expert witnesses can provide detailed analyses of the circumstances surrounding the accident, establish causation, and show how the defendants actions led to your injury
- Adding Credibility: the testimony of a respected expert can add significant weight to a case, lending credibility to your claim
- Facilitating settlements: expert assessments can help influence the negotiation process by providing support to well-substantiated claims and witness testimony
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in California
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in California due to carelessness, recklessness, or an intentional act, the attorneys at Maison Law can help you get the compensation you need. Not all law firms will go through the trouble of hiring legal experts for your case, but at Maison Law we will not hesitate to utilize high-level expert witnesses when it comes to winning your case. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
