Some personal injury cases are so complex that courts must rely on highly trained individuals to discuss technical concepts in practical ways that juries can understand. These people are called expert witnesses.
What is an Expert Witness?
An expert witness is a person with scientific or technical knowledge who provides opinion testimony regarding complex issues that go beyond the understanding of an ordinary person. The testimony of an expert witness can help juries and judges make informed decisions when considering the facts of a case. However, not all experts are called to testify at trial. The ones that do must satisfy Maryland court requirements regarding their qualifications.
How Expert Witnesses Strengthen a Personal Injury Case
Expert witnesses are identified as highly trained and respected members of their profession. For this reason, they provide unbiased opinions and information that lends credibility to an injured victim’s case. Their assessments may help juries determine the cause of an accident, identify the at-fault party(s), and understand the extent of a plaintiff’s injuries and losses.
Types of Expert Witnesses Commonly Used in Maryland Personal Injury Cases
Although a party may introduce an expert witness for numerous kinds of technical matters, personal injury claims tend to involve expert witnesses from fields such as:
- Medicine – Medical experts such as doctors, physical therapists, and psychologists can explain the nature of a plaintiff’s physical and emotional injuries and discuss future treatments or long-term care they will need.
- Accident reconstruction – Accident reconstruction experts review evidence from an accident scene and use scientific principles, such as physics, to develop a visual recreation or a narrative to describe what happened in an accident and its cause(s).
- Engineering – These experts can provide testimony to help a jury determine whether a design or manufacturing defect in a consumer product caused the plaintiff’s injury.
- Vocational rehabilitation – Vocational experts can discuss how a plaintiff’s injuries and resulting disabilities affect their ability to return to work, including what jobs the plaintiff can and cannot perform. This can support the plaintiff’s claim for lost wages or reduced earning capacity.
- Economics and finances – These professionals can provide opinion testimony regarding a plaintiff’s future financial losses due to their injuries and calculate the current dollar value of those losses so juries can determine appropriate damages.
When is an Expert Witness Necessary?
An expert witness may become necessary in a personal injury case when the parties dispute a technical or scientific issue outside the knowledge of the average person. For example, parties may disagree on whether a product suffered from a design or manufacturing defect. In these cases, an engineering expert can explain relevant safety standards and identify a potential manufacturing error or alternative, safer design for a dangerous product.
Get a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney From Trollinger Law LLC On Your Side
The Maryland personal injury lawyers at Trollinger Law LLC handle complex legal cases both in and out of the courtroom. If we believe your case would benefit from expert testimony, our law firm has established working relationships with industry-leading experts who can provide compelling opinion reports and testimony to bolster your case. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us now for a free consultation.
