If you're in the middle of a legal case, finding the right expert witness is essential to your success. But how do you go about finding one that's right for your case? And what should you look for when evaluating potential candidates? It's not always so clear-cut.
These tips will help you evaluate expert witnesses so that you can make informed decisions about your case.
Know Exactly What an Expert Witness Does
First, you need to understand the difference between an expert witness and a fact witness. An expert witness is someone who can provide testimony about their area of expertise. This might be their professional opinion about something, or it could be expert testimony about a particular incident. On the other hand, a fact witness is someone who was present at the time of an event and can testify about what they saw or heard.
For example, if you are charged with an assault that led to brain damage, an expert witness may be called to testify about the injuries sustained by the victim. The expert witness would talk about these types of injuries in a general sense and in a specific sense, looking at the specific information available in your case.
Know What Kind of Case You Want to Make
Your lawyer, if you have one, will likely have a plan of action already. This can inform the kind of expert witness you want to hire for your case. For instance, in the assault case described above, your defense attorney would look for an expert witness with experience in brain injuries who could talk about why the assault could not have been the cause of the injury.
The key here is to ensure that you have an expert witness who is able to support your claims. This is why it is important that you have an attorney with a solid plan for your case.
Provide Accurate & Complete Information
Your expert witness needs to have a lot of information before they agree to take on your case. When you choose a professional to testify as a witness, make sure that they have all the pertinent information so they can be as thorough as possible.
Contact an Expert Witness Services
Once you have a good understanding of what you need, the next step is to find an expert witness who can provide it. There are many different expert witnesses you can consult for your case, but the first step involves setting up a consultation. For more information, contact a company like Forensic Employment & Compensation Consulting.
