5 Cases That May Require an Expert Witness

by Kevin Smith Author

Certain lawsuits may require the testimony of an expert. Usually, this is because the subject matter is foreign to the judge or jury and an expert can explain the impact on the plaintiff. These cases can come about due to a variety of problems including accidents, malpractice, and production negligence. Here are five situations where you may require the assistance of expert witness services.

Business and Insurance Litigation

If a lawsuit is brought against a business partner or insurance agency, there are certain aspects that the judge or jury wouldn’t be familiar with. Some examples of these are accounting, labor relations, and securities. While your lawyer could explain some of these, it would make a bigger impact coming from an expert.

Car Crashes

When a car crash occurs, one party might bring a civil suit against the other for vehicular or bodily damages. In these cases, the plaintiff must show that the crash was the fault of the defendant and that the bodily injuries came as a result of the crash. To prove this, an accident reconstruction would be needed, as well as a medical examination. Both of these would require experts, such as highway patrol and a medical doctor.

Construction Accidents

When heavy machinery is used on a construction site, accidents can occur. This could be due to a problem with the equipment or negligence by those using it. If the accident was caused by mechanical failure, an expert can explain why it failed and how it was supposed to work. If it was due to negligence, an expert can explain how the equipment should have been used.

Medical Malpractice

When you visit a doctor for any reason, they are held to a certain standard of care. Oftentimes, if something goes wrong, it’s apparent to those who understand the procedure whether it was a risk going in or if it was malpractice by the doctor. An expert witness can explain why the mistake might have happened and how the procedure was supposed to be performed.

Product Liability

Similar to construction equipment, certain products can be harmful for different reasons. This can be due to a lack of warnings, flaws in the design, or a defect in the manufacturing. An expert witness will be able to describe to the judge or jury the problem with the product and how it was supposed to work or be labeled.

If you sue a person or company due to negligence or malpractice, there will probably be certain aspects of the case that will require the testimony of an expert. They will be able to explain to the judge or jury why the damages occurred and why the defendant is at fault. These are five common reasons you may need expert witness services.