Posted on Friday, October 30th, 2015 at 7:11 pm
Experts Only: Testimony in Sacramento Medical Malpractice Cases
In Sacramento medical malpractice cases, people injured by the negligence of medical professionals or hospitals bring a civil cause of action in order to recover financial compensation as a result of their injuries. This money is intended to compensate them for additional medical treatment required, permanent disability, or in some cases the loss of a loved one.
The legal theory behind medical malpractice cases in California is somewhat simple: all medical professionals involved in your care owe you a duty to provide reasonably competent treatment under the circumstances. When they breach this duty by negligently failing to diagnose a disease or making a mistake in surgery, for example, a cause of action for the physical and emotional damage they causes arises.
One aspect required in almost all California medical malpractice cases is what we call “expert testimony.” The idea behind expert testimony is that another doctor must testify under oath that in his or her opinion, the medical professional at the heart of the lawsuit fell below the applicable standard of care, and is thus responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries. In addition to being required in almost all cases, expert testimony is an important element to help the jury establish liability and decide to award the proper amount of financial compensation (which is usually paid by the insurance companies).
However, one of the troubling problems with developing expert testimony in CA medical malpractice cases is that it is expensive. An experienced expert witness must not only appear for the time required to testify in court, but also must take the time to examine the case, research the medical principles involved, and prepare a thorough report about their findings and opinions.
Hiring a good expert witness for medical malpractice cases costs money, and this highlights another reason why it is important to hire the right attorney for your case. An experienced Sacramento medical malpractice lawyer has the right connections to good expert witnesses, plus the resources to help you afford the process of bringing a lawsuit in order to ultimately earn the financial compensation you are entitled to under the law.
For more information about medical malpractice cases in Sacramento or Folsom CA, call the experienced and aggressive attorneys of the Tiemann Law Firm today. The applicable statute of limitations may limit your time to file suit, so act quickly by calling us at (916) 999-9000 or visiting our contact page to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about the facts involved in your individual situation. No fees unless you win.
