The Best Expert Witness Qualities According to Social Science Research

Expert Witness typography

The National Law Review has published an overview of social science studies that seek to answer the question of “what makes your expert witness the best expert witness?” Purpose of the Overview The overview was authored by Clint Townson, Ph.D., who works as a jury consultant at an expert witness search firm. Townson explained that […]

Historian Gives Expert Testimony in Suit Seeking Protection of Confederate Statue

A six-story tall statue of Robert E. Lee overlooks Richmond, the capital of Virginia. Unlike other statues of Confederate figures that once lined Monument Avenue, the Lee statue stands on state property. Virginia’s governor, Ralph Northam, announced in June that he would order the statue removed. Richmond’s mayor, Levar Stoney, agreed with the decision, remarking […]

Alleged Attempt to Intimidate Defense Experts Does Not Warrant a New Trial

Salomon Melgen was charged with operating a scheme to defraud Medicare. The charges were based on allegations that he deliberately misdiagnosed his patients so he could bill the government for unnecessary treatment. A jury found Melgen guilty of 67 counts of fraud. The court sentenced Melgen to 17 years in prison. On appeal, the defense […]

Use of Treatise to Cross-Examine Medical Witnesses Leads to Reversal of Malpractice Verdict

Pennsylvania Justice

A Pennsylvania jury that weighed competing expert testimony awarded more than $40 million to a disabled child after deciding that the disability was caused by medical negligence. The Superior Court of Pennsylvania reversed the judgment and ordered a new trial because a learned treatise was used improperly to cross-examine defense witnesses. Facts of the Case […]

Expert Testimony Not Needed to Prove Hurricane Damage

The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals has overturned a district court and ruled that an expert witness is not required to prove hurricane damage in Georgia. The Damage to the Church In March 2016, Southern Mutual Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company issued an insurance policy to Greater Hall Temple Church of God in Brunswick, Georgia. […]

How Should an Expert Prepare for an Online (e.g. ZOOM) Deposition?

Man on a computer

During the pandemic, many things that can be done remotely are in fact being done remotely: those whose jobs allow it are working at home; we interact with our friends and family online; and motion hearings are often being done remotely. Expert witness depositions are also being taken remotely.. There are a number of upsides […]

Appeals Court Rules Firefighter and Electrician Qualifies as Expert

Fire

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that a veteran firefighter, licensed master electrician, and forensic expert were qualified to give expert testimony about a Pennsylvania shopping center fire. The Fire On December 17, 2012, a fire broke out at Natrona Heights Shopping Plaza in Harrison, Pennsylvania. The fire began at around 9:40 pm […]

Demonstrative Evidence: A Picture or Chart is Worth a Thousand Words

Money

We’ve all heard the saying, “a picture is worth a thousand worlds.” And most of us are familiar with the idea that there are multiple different modes of learning — that is, that people process information in different ways, and that while there are certainly verbal learners, or people who learn best by reading the […]