The cost of expert witnesses in a personal injury will depend on the expert’s field of expertise and their level of experience. The typical cost of an expert witness according to the Expert Institute ranges from $350 to $400 per hour. However, high-level expert witnesses such as surgeons or medical professionals can cost anywhere from $1000 to $1500 per hour.
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.
The Role of Expert Witnesses in Personal Injury Cases
Expert witnesses are essential to personal injury cases because they can clarify complex issues and substantiate your claims. An expert witness will provide a report to the defense, a judge, or a jury to establish liability by providing insights into the causes of injuries and attribute fault. For example, a medical expert will clarify:
- The extent of the injury
- Necessary treatments
- Future outlook after suffering a particular injury
- Physical and emotional condition of the injured victim
An expert witness can also quantify the financial costs of an injured person’s damages and personal losses such as medical expenses and lost earnings. Their testimony will help settlement negotiations reflect the true extent of the damages and support a fair resolution without the need to go to trial. This is why experienced Personal Injury Lawyers will use expert witnesses to achieve accurate and just outcomes for their clients.
Examples of Expert Witnesses
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 Experts: doctors and medical specialists can help assess injuries, medical procedures, and potential long-term effects, which helps others understand the extent and impact of injuries and physical damages.
- Accident Reconstruction Experts: accident reconstruction experts can analyze evidence from an accident to determine how an accident occurs, which will help establish liability in a personal injury case.
- Economic Experts: these experts evaluate the financial impact of injuries, including calculating lost earnings and additional costs, which are essential for determining compensation.
- Vocational rehabilitation specialists: these experts will form a report of the injured person’s capacity for employment post-injury, which is important for cases involving long-term disability.
- Mental health experts: psychologists and psychiatrists can form a psychological report on the impact these injuries have had on the injured person’s emotional state.
- Life Care Planning Experts: these experts project the future medical and care needs of an injured person, giving support to those who may need ongoing compensation for continuous medical treatment.
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 defendant’s 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 a personal injury in California and need help recovering damages, the attorneys at Maison Law can help you get the compensation you need. Our firm understands the legal nuances of personal injury law and will utilize high-level expert witnesses to testify on your behalf. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation. You are under no obligation to pay us for our services unless we win your case.
