The Role of Medical Experts in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

The Role of Medical Experts in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

Personal injury cases are filed when a person is hurt due to someone else’s negligence. The injured person will sustain a lot of losses along with physical and emotional pain.

Through a personal injury claim, the victim can obtain compensation for the losses they incurred due to the accident. Remember this if you ever find yourself a victim of an accident: a personal injury claim is not a walk in the park.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

Personal Injury Lawsuits
Source: Florin|Roebig

In very rare cases, a personal injury claim will go to court. Your lawyer will try their best to settle out of court, as a lawsuit can bring additional expenses. However, in some cases, it is necessary to go to court.

It requires tons of effort and skill. This is why it is recommended to hire a lawyer. Book a consultation with an expert personal injury lawyer and learn more about them and your case. This initial consultation can help you hire a lawyer.

Fun fact: Only 4% of personal injury cases go to court.

In a personal injury lawsuit, you and your lawyer need to convince 12 members (the jury) that you deserve the compensation. One strategy most lawyers will follow to achieve this is to bring in expert witnesses.

Expert Witnesses

Expert witnesses are people who are experts in a particular field and can provide insights into the case. They don’t have to be present at the accident scene to be considered witnesses.

Their insights can help the jury understand the case better. There are many types of experts. Each type can add a different perspective to the case. One common type of expert who is used in most cases is a medical expert.

A medical expert can help the case in the following ways:

  • Determining causation
  • Insights on the severity of the injuries
  • Recovery time
  • Impact of the injuries on the victim’s life

Determining Causation

Causation is one of the four elements of personal injury law. You need to prove that the accident was the direct cause of your injuries.

Determining causation can be especially difficult if you have preexisting injuries. The insurance company will try to prove that your injuries existed even before the accident.

However, a medical expert can review the medical files and prove the relationship between the accident and your injuries.

Insights on the Severity of the Injuries

Insights on the Severity of the Injuries
Source: Hillyard Anderson

You can see an injured person and understand their pain to some extent. But only the injured person will know the actual pain. A doctor can help the jury understand your pain. By making the jury understand, you can get the jury on your side.

The medical expert will also provide insights into the financial repercussions the victim will sustain due to the injuries.

Recovery Time

Depending on the type and severity of the injury, the healing period differs. The jury will not know how long it will take for the victim to recover fully, but a doctor knows.

Until the person fully recovers, it is understandable that they won’t be able to go to work. By knowing the recovery time, the jury can understand the financial consequences of a long recovery period.

Impact of Injuries on the Victim’s Life

Some injuries will have a lifelong impact. For example, let’s say a victim loses their leg in an accident. This injury will be permanent.

A medical expert can tell the jury about the financial, physical, and emotional impact of a victim’s injuries. This can significantly improve the compensation you receive.

Final Thoughts

A medical expert witness can help your case to a great extent. Great lawyers with many years of experience will have connections with expert witnesses. Another reason that underlines the importance of hiring a lawyer. If your case does go to court, do not fail to hire an expert witness.