Expert witnesses play a critical role in Pittsburgh medical malpractice cases by helping to establish liability, explain complex medical issues, and quantify damages. Their testimony can be essential in proving that a healthcare provider deviated from the standard of care, leading to patient harm.
If you have questions about this process or need help securing an expert witness for your case, get in touch with one of our qualified medical malpractice attorneys at Bordas & Bordas.
The expert should be experienced in the same specialty as the defendant healthcare provider. So, if you are pursuing a lawsuit against a neurosurgeon, you need to retain a neurosurgical expert.
Experts must dedicate a significant portion of their professional time to treating patients in their specialty or teaching at an accredited institution. In Pennsylvania, the general qualifications require that they have practiced within the last five years to qualify as an expert witness in medical malpractice cases.
Yes, your attorneys can utilize your treating physician as an expert to support the theory of liability against the defendant medical professional.
Expert witnesses vary depending on the case, but several types of experts are commonly used to support a Pittsburgh medical malpractice case:
In Pennsylvania, an expert witness is required to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.
Depending on the facts of the case and the strength of the witnesses, an attorney may have varying strategies in terms of how they present the witness testimony, the sequence of the witnesses, the length of the witnesses’ testimony, and so on.
Ultimately, a Pittsburgh medical malpractice lawyer must utilize an expert witness at trial to meet their burden of proof.
It depends on several factors, including the strength of the expert, how they compare to the opposing expert, and their performance under cross-examination. In some cases, juries may feel that experts cancel each other out and instead rely on their own understanding of the standard of care.
The significance of expert testimony also varies by case. For straightforward errors, like operating on the wrong leg, expert testimony may be less critical. However, in cases involving complex medical issues, strong expert witness testimony can be crucial. The most effective experts can simplify complicated medical concepts so juries can easily understand them.
If you are pursuing a medical malpractice claim in Pittsburgh, having the right expert witnesses can make a significant difference in your case. Our experienced attorneys at Bordas & Bordas could help identify and retain the right experts to support your claim.
Reach out today for a free consultation.
