Work with a Legal Team Who Truly Cares
What Is an Expert Witness and Why Are They Valuable?
Posted in General
Suppose you have suffered an injury or other damages and are considering using an expert witness for your upcoming trial. In that case, it is essential to know what precisely an expert witness is and the benefit and value of these specialized witnesses. This article discusses expert witnesses, who they are, the rules surrounding the use of expert witnesses, and why expert witnesses matter.
What is an Expert Witness?
An expert witness is a person who is specialized in a particular area or area and whose expertise will assist a jury in understanding factual evidence of a case, thus aiding a jury in making their final determination. Expert witnesses have immense influence over juries and judges in making decisions during trials. Due to the importance of expert witnesses, the Federal Rules of Evidence 702 lay out specific and stern admissibility standards for experts. Rule 702 specifies that a witness who is qualified as an expert may testify in the form of an opinion if their technical knowledge helps a juror understand the evidence or determine a fact, the testimony is based on sufficient data, the testimony is reliable, and if the expert has reliably applied the principles and methods to the facts of the case. Expert witnesses are determined to be reliable only if they satisfy all four pillars contained and defined in Rule 702.
Expert Witnesses in Court
Typically, witnesses are prohibited from testifying based on their own opinions. See Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) 602. However, this is not the standard used for expert witnesses. Expert witnesses can testify about matters within their field of expertise and give their opinions and analyses. In state court, rules surrounding witnesses vary by jurisdiction. Generally, experts are allowed to testify about their conclusions in a case, and their findings and analyses are scientifically sound. Expert witnesses are permitted to rely on evidence that is usually relied on in their work, even if that evidence is typically inadmissible in court. As long as their testimony aids jurors, experts can testify on any subject in their expertise.
Benefits of Expert Witnesses
A party to a case does not get to pick their lay witnesses. People who are witnesses and testify in trials are purely a consequence of circumstance. Lay witnesses are simply those who happened to be at the place of the event at issue in a case and witnessed what occurred. One of the benefits of an expert witness is that a party or attorney may, within boundaries set by evidentiary standards, choose who they want to testify as an expert. Not every case will have an expert witness, but if you are involved in a case that calls for one, choosing who you want to testify as an expert is an advantage. Parties should consider an expert’s public speaking abilities, demeanor, and general teachability when deciding who they want to be their expert.
Additionally, expert witnesses can provide objectivity when evaluating what happened and providing their conclusions. This objectivity, as well as credibility inherent in expert witnesses, bodes well with jurors. These specialized witnesses can explain scientific principles and give background and context to information or concepts that lay jurors are presented with. They are essential in many cases, especially where complex and nuanced information is at play. Thinking critically about what expert to choose, what you want them to discuss, and how they present their testimony and information is vital to getting the most out of your expert witness. Used correctly, having these tools and advantages on your side throughout a trial can significantly affect a party’s ultimate success.
Call GroverLawKC
Hiring an attorney allows you to focus on your recovery. Your attorney will handle all contact with the at-fault party and their insurance company. Your attorney will work hard to get you fair compensation. Call Mark Grover with the GroverLawKC at 913-432-1000 to set up your free consultation today.
The information on this website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this site should be considered legal advice for any case or situation. This information is not intended to create; receipt or viewing does not constitute an attorney-client relationship.