Blog
The Role of an Expert Witness in a Medical Malpractice Case
There are many components of every medical malpractice case, and in order to ensure the best outcome for the victim, a few things need to happen. Chief among them is finding an expert witness, or several, who can show proximate cause, injuries and damages, and liability. An expert witness in medical malpractice cases are usually physicians, surgeons, or other types of healthcare providers. The following are some of the ways in which they are vital to a case.
Most medical malpractice cases center around proving that a doctor is actually liable for the negative outcome of the victim’s treatment. Experts from the medical community will be able to recognize whether or not the doctor in question did something that is not in line with what is commonly accepted throughout medical practices across the country.
If it can be proved that the plaintiff suffered serious injuries, economic damage, or a combination of the two due to medical treatment, the next step is proving proximate cause. This is where expert witnesses can once again help. Proving that the negligent treatment was the direct cause of the physical and economic suffering is crucial. A witness can help show that not only did the doctor in question act outside of standard practices, but that negligent act directly resulted in the plaintiff’s injuries.
Whether or not your case employs one or several expert witnesses depends on the specifics of the trial. Finding trusted and reliable expert witnesses who can back up the negligence and pain experienced because of it can be one of the keys to winning a medical malpractice case.