An Attorney’s Guide to Finding a Neurosurgery Expert Witness
In an article published by the Expert Institute in 2019 and updated in 2021, Dr. Wendy Ketner, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at Expert Institute, wrote a comprehensive guide for attorneys on utilizing neurosurgery expert witnesses. The article discusses the relevance of neurosurgeons in various cases like medical malpractice, personal injuries, and informed consent issues. The article further emphasizes the importance of selecting a highly experienced neurosurgeon with a solid track record in the specific procedure involved in a case. It also covers the challenges in recruiting such experts, given the high costs and the small size of the neurosurgical community. Additionally, the article advises on establishing a strong attorney-expert relationship for effective case handling.
Below is a brief summary of the article published on the Expert Institute’s website. For help with expert testimony in a personal injury, medical malpractice or product liability claim, contact Neurosurgery MedLegal Services, serving clients in Florida and nationwide.
Highlights Regarding Finding, Retaining and Consulting Neurosurgery Expert Witnesses
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Role of Neurosurgery Experts: The article underlines the critical role neurosurgery experts play in legal cases involving medical malpractice, personal injury, and issues related to informed consent. Their expertise is vital in explaining complex medical procedures and outcomes.
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Selection Criteria: Emphasis is placed on the importance of choosing a neurosurgeon with extensive experience and a strong track record in the specific area relevant to the case. The article suggests considering factors such as the expert’s clinical experience, academic contributions, and previous legal case involvement.
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Challenges in Recruitment: The small size of the neurosurgical community and the high costs associated with retaining these experts are highlighted as significant challenges. The article offers insights into navigating these obstacles effectively.
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Attorney-Expert Relationship: Establishing a solid working relationship with the expert witness is crucial for case success. The guide advises on communication strategies and collaborative approaches to maximize the expert’s contribution to the case.
Types of Cases Where a Neurosurgery Expert Witness Can Prove Especially Valuable
As the Expert Institute article points out, a neurosurgeon expert is not necessary in every case. For instance, if a spinal injury is at issue, an orthopedic surgeon might be appropriate to review the issue of standard of care in a malpractice case, assuming brain surgery was not involved. An orthopedic surgeon expert or even an expert nurse might be a persuasive witness to opine on damages, says Dr. Ketner. However, there are certainly times when a neurosurgery expert witness is who you want. These cases, according to the Expert Institute article, include a range of neurosurgical procedures related to the following types of issues:
- Cranial Injuries
- Spinal Injuries
- Stroke Cases
- Fall Injuries
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Informed Consent
Contact Neurosurgery MedLegal Services for Neurosurgery Expert Testimony Nationwide
For a more detailed understanding, you can read the full article here at the Expert Institute website. If you are an attorney in need of expert testimony or litigation support related to a personal injury, product liability, or medical malpractice, call Neurosurgery MedLegal Services at 866-659-8051 to consult with a board-certified neurosurgeon in active practice who is both a seasoned expert witness and independent medical examiner in personal injury and workers’ compensation claims.
