Benefits of Expert Witnesses in Florida Medical Malpractice Cases
Expert witness testimonies are given a lot of weight in medical malpractice cases, and a plaintiff’s case cannot proceed without them. The outcome of a medical negligence case depends largely on whether the jury believes the plaintiff’s or the defendant’s witness more. Many of these cases become a battle between specialists, especially at trial.
A great witness who has practiced in their field of medicine for a long time will have a lot of say in a medical misdiagnosis case. The benefits of expert witnesses in Florida medical malpractice cases include simplifying the issues before for a jury and ultimately influencing them to side in the claimant’s favor.
The Importance of Researching Specialists
In medical negligence cases, plaintiffs are required to have at least one expert witness to weigh in on whether a doctor’s or laboratory’s actions were in violation of the accepted medical standard of care. However, they do not want a specialist who does not support their case to be on the witness stand. Fortunately, a diligent attorney from our firm can help a claimant research specialists in their area to maximize their chances of success. Making sure a witness is on board with the case and can argue against opposing testimonies is an important part of taking advantage of the benefits of expert witnesses in Florida medical malpractice cases.
Important Considerations
While expert witnesses are necessary, they are also very expensive. Medical specialists charge a lot of money to review records, talk to attorneys about a case, and prepare for depositions. If the case gets to trial, they charge even more money for travel costs. On days of testimony, expert witnesses usually charge for the entire day regardless of how much time a hearing actually takes. This is because their medical expertise and healthcare experience is very valuable to the tribunal. For example, a judge who lacks an understanding of medical practices and nuances could benefit greatly from expert witnesses in Florida medical malpractice cases.
The requirement to have specialists on the stand for medical negligence cases is part of what makes these claims so expensive and difficult to bring. As a result, many injured patients do not receive justice for the damages their doctors cause them.
Ask an Attorney about the Benefits of Expert Witnesses in Florida Medical Malpractice Cases
According to Florida law, plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases are required to use experts’ opinions to prove their case. They would need a medical specialist to testify about the standard of care, a physician’s violation thereof, and the causation. There is a minimum requirement of at least one medical expert in medical negligence cases. One witness might be enough in one case, but some are much more complicated and require multiple experts.
Our qualified legal team is experienced with working alongside expert witnesses in these cases and can make a substantial difference in yours. If you still have questions about the benefits of expert witnesses in Florida medical malpractice cases, do not hesitate to give us a call to learn more.