Almost every complex court case presents evidence from expert witnesses. In fact, many law firms use the same group of experts regularly. If you face a civil or criminal lawsuit, your law firm may suggest the use of one such expert, but there are a few things you need to know about these individuals.
They Require Transparency
Your expert witness needs all the information about your case. For example, if you have a banking case and hire banking litigation support, the witness needs every bank and personal record that applies to the case. The last thing you want is for your expert to be testifying and be asked a question that cannot be answered because you didn’t turn over all the relevant data. This lack of information opens the door for your opposition to discredit your witness and prove its case.
Their Services Are Not Cheap
Expert witnesses are paid based on the work they do on the case, and every case requires a different level of work. These individuals review all the evidence that applies to their conclusions. They also submit to depositions, and sometimes, they testify in court. They also typically create reports or summaries that explain their methods and conclusions. This work takes time, and one case will vary significantly from another.
They Are Impartial
Expert witnesses must be impartial. All the conclusions they present have to be the result of a scientific method. They are required to go over all the evidence and data on a case and draw a logical conclusion, even if it is against you, the person who hired them. Therefore, be aware that their conclusions may not align with yours, and they have to present what they find without bias.
Expert witnesses can make or break a case. If you are facing a lawsuit, learn more about working with these professionals.
