New York Birth Injury Lawyers
Explaining the Process of Qualifying Expert Witnesses

When parents have a baby and they make the shocking discovery that their child has cerebral palsy, their emotional pain and stress only becomes more pronounced when they realize that this result could have been due to a mistake made by the medical professionals who were responsible for the safe delivery of the child.  At this point, these suffering parents are faced with an extremely difficult decision regarding whether or not to pursue justice against those potentially responsible for the struggles their child will face.

Anyone who is in this position should understand as much as possible about the prospect of attempting to hold those responsible for this situation accountable, and this should be done with the help of experienced New York birth injury lawyers.  Below is a brief overview of one of the necessities that could arise if a lawsuit is filed – the necessity of help from an expert witness.

Who Can Serve as an Expert Witness?

There are several different types of people who can serve as an expert witness in a New York birth injury trial, but every proposed expert witness will be meticulously scrutinized by the defense in an attempt to discredit and perhaps disallow the testimony of that witness.  As a result, New York birth injury lawyers who have worked with expert witnesses before will need to obtain the help of a professional whose credentials are impeccable or as close to it as possible.

Specifically, these credentials could include years of experience with handling child births, overseeing hospital departments that deliver children on a regular basis or serving in an academic position that helps to train doctors who ultimately serve the public in this capacity.  Generally, these expert witnesses should have the appearance of being without bias in order to withstand questioning from the other side.

How is Expert Witness Testimony Presented?

If it comes down to it and a trial is held, the expert witness or witnesses will be called in an effort to bolster the case that was filed by the parents.  The testimony that will be presented usually must include extremely specific facts regarding the birth in question and what could have gone wrong that led to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy.  In addition, the testimony will often include an application of the specific situation to the general knowledge of the medical industry when it comes to preventing birth injuries before and during the delivery.

Overall, facing this situation is extraordinarily difficult for anyone.  Those who have been forced into this choice should seek the help of New York birth injury lawyers who are familiar with the world of expert witnesses and how to make their perspectives strengthen the case of suffering families.  Contact Fitzgerald & Fitzgerald today to schedule a free initial consultation.