Will I need my medical malpractice case certified by an expert witness before I can file a claim?

To find a medical professional negligent, it must be shown that his or her conduct fell below the accepted standard of medical care.  To establish this standard, a plaintiff must present the testimony of another medical expert, qualified in the same area of medicine as the defendant. Expert testimony is required to establish the negligence or carelessness of the medical professional or institution. 

It is rare for local physicians to testify against a colleague, even in large communities where it is unlikely they know one another.  Therefore, it is often necessary to seek experts from other communities, sometimes far away from the location of the trial.  This can result in high per hour expert witness fees, often ranging from $400 to $500 per hour.

Settlements, if they occur, rarely happen before the trial is imminent.  The effect of this causes the cost of expert witness testimony to increase substantially, which can result in expenses of $25,000 or more to the plaintiff.  If you believe that your case has merit, you should seek legal advice from an experienced medical malpractice attorney.  They will be able to determine what is needed in order to pursue your case for litigation.

Talk to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer to find out if your case is worth pursuing and what options you have to get compensation.