If you are working with a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville, there is a strong possibility that they will invite an expert medical witness to analyze your case. This can be an essential part of preparing your lawsuit. The key role of a medical expert during a personal injury lawsuit is to demonstrate to the judge and/or jury how the injuries that you have sustained have impacted your life. They will also explain any long-term effects and how your treatment and rehabilitation will look moving forward.

Let's take a closer look at what an expert medical witness does and why your personal injury lawyer in Knoxville will use one.

Providing Medical Assessments

One of the first things that a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville will ask of an expert medical witness is that they review the plaintiff's medical records, specifically those relating to your injuries, treatment plan, and pre-existing conditions. This will help them gain a solid understanding of the medical history and the injuries caused by the accident. Some medical experts will also perform their own physical examination of the plaintiff in addition to reviewing the records. When this assessment has been completed, the medical expert will be in a position to provide a detailed report to the court regarding the plaintiff's injuries, treatment, ongoing complications, and any expectation of future care or support that will be required.

In court, the expert medical witness will be able to answer questions about both the short-term and long-term effects of the plaintiff's injuries. In contrast, the personal injury lawyer in Knoxville works on demonstrating that the injuries were indeed caused by the accident as a result of the defendant's reckless behavior.

Helping to Determine Causation

Medical experts can be a valuable resource to a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville when it comes to determining a direct link between the plaintiff's injuries and the accident. They will review all of the evidence, including medical records, accident reports, and witness testimony, to help establish a timeline of the injury. They will also be able to report on how the injuries are consistent with the type of accident and show a cause-and-effect relationship. This can be essential in proving that injuries were caused by the accident and not another incident. As an example, let's say the plaintiff is an elderly resident of a retirement home who has slipped on a wet floor, resulting in a broken hip. The retirement home would be held responsible for neglecting to dry the floor or giving sufficient warning signs. Suppose the plaintiff's mobility does not return to the previous level. In that case, the defendant may argue that since the patient was elderly and using a mobility aid, their mobility was poor anyway. However, an expert medical witness would be able to look at the plaintiff's past medical history and provide a timeline indicating the deterioration in mobility is directly linked to the fall.

Frequently Asked Questions About Expert Medical Witnesses

It can be unnerving to suddenly have a medical professional that you are unfamiliar with accessing your medical records and possibly even performing a physical exam, so it is only natural to have questions about their role. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get asked as a personal injury lawyer in Knoxville.

  • What is a Medical Expert? - A medical expert is a qualified healthcare professional who has specialized knowledge and expertise in a medical field related to your injuries. For example, for spinal cord injuries, the expert is likely to be an orthopedic specialist or neurologist, while a psychologist would be chosen for psychological injuries.
  • Why Is Medical Expert Testimony Important? - The judge and/or jury likely have no medical expertise, so it can be difficult for them to understand the true impact of an injury on an individual. Testimony from expert medical witnesses can provide specialized insight into the extent of the injuries, the ongoing impact on the plaintiff's day-to-day life, and also the cause and nature of the injuries.
  • What is the Difference Between an Expert Witness & an Eyewitness? - The names sound similar, but these are two very different types of witnesses. Your personal injury lawyer in Knoxville may call on eyewitnesses to testify what they saw at the accident scene. These individuals will likely be passers-by or someone present at the accident scene. They can only answer questions about what they saw or experienced. On the other hand, an expert witness is a medical professional who can speak on the injuries and their impact. In some cases, there will be overlap. A doctor who has treated the plaintiff's injury can be considered both an eyewitness and an expert witness.

The credibility and objectivity of a medical expert are crucial in any personal injury lawsuit, as their opinions can significantly influence the outcome of the case. A personal injury lawyer in Knoxville often relies on medical experts to strengthen their arguments and support their client's claims for compensation.

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Butler, Vines and Babb is a leading law firm in Knoxville, TN, with extensive litigation experience in Medical Malpractice Law, Birth Injury Law, Trucking Accident Law, Personal Injury Law, and Business Law. Contact us today at www.bvblaw.com or call 865-637-3531.

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