If you’re dealing with a wrongful death trial after a loved one died unexpectedly, there are several ways you can strengthen your case and position it in the best possible light for the jury. One effective strategy is to hire a wrongful death expert witness. These professionals can help make complicated facts more accessible to laypersons and increase your chances of receiving a successful verdict.
Learn about working with an expert witness for wrongful death cases and how our Salem accident lawyers can help guide you through the challenges ahead after losing a family member to an untimely accident.
Understanding the Job of a Wrongful Death Expert Witness
The primary role that an expert witness plays in a wrongful death case is to establish key facts like how the death happened, if the defendant was negligent, and how much money a family has lost as a result of their loved one’s passing. However, almost any expert can testify to nearly any fact if it’s needed to help the jury understand a complex topic or establish that something should or should not have occurred.
Why Hire an Expert Witness for Your Wrongful Death Case?
Bringing an expert witness on your case has several benefits, like:
- Making complicated medical and scientific topics more digestible
- Presenting facts in a clear, concise, and easy-to-understand way
- Countering the testimony of alleged experts presented by the other side
- Confirming or validating the evidence you bring forward
- Withstanding tough cross-examination by the defendant’s legal team
What to Look For In an Expert Witness
A good expert witness has several distinct qualities, including:
- The ability to remain impartial. Part of what makes an expert witness so credible is that they stick to the facts and don’t take sides.
- The ability to communicate well. Good communication skills are key to successfully explaining difficult-to-understand information to the average person.
- Relevant career experience or educational expertise. An ideal witness will be specially trained or will have worked in a field that is pertinent to your case. For example, if your loved one passed away as a result of emergency mismanagement, a good expert witness for your case might be another emergency room physician with more years of practice under their belt.
- A good community reputation. If there is an expert witness in your area who is well known or respected by judges, they can be an excellent asset to your case.
- Previous experience providing witness testimony. Ideally, you should choose an expert witness who has done this before and has an idea of what to expect during the process. These professionals tend to stay calm under pressure, even when being interrogated by the opposing side.
Types of Expert Witnesses That Can Be Used for a Wrongful Death Case
Depending on the facts of your claim, there may be one or more experts that your attorney wants to bring on your case. Common witnesses include:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Surgeons
- A medical examiner
- An accident reconstruction specialist
- Engineering experts
- Forensic pathologists
- Occupational health and safety experts
- Public health experts
- Video and surveillance experts
- Forensic accountants
- Economists
How a Wrongful Death Lawyer Can Help
Wrongful death attorneys often hire expert witnesses to help strengthen their cases, especially when going up against corporations or brands with large legal teams. A reputable lawyer often has existing connections to experienced witnesses, making it easier to bring them onto your case from the start.
Other ways your lawyer can assist you is by identifying which experts would be a valuable addition to your case, streamlining the hiring process, and helping the witness prepare for their deposition and courtroom testimony.
Mazow | McCullough, PC Is Here to Support You
Mazow | McCullough, PC knows how difficult it can be to lose a loved one in a sudden accident or because someone else was careless, negligent, or even violent to them. We’re here to support you every step of the way as you pursue justice for your family and can connect you to qualified wrongful death expert witnesses that are a great fit for your case.
Contact us now to learn more or to get started with a free initial consultation at our Salem, MA office. Call (978) 744-8000 or (855) 693-9084 today.
