5 Qualities Every Med-Mal Expert Should Have
In an article published by Virginia Lawyers Weekly, Woods Rogers’ Jacob Pierce provides guidance to fellow medical malpractice attorneys defending clients in Virginia. Regardless of the issues at stake, experts will shape a jury’s understanding of the case, and ultimately, their final decision often rests on which experts they believe.
Jacob writes in the publication, “What separates a winning expert from a merely adequate one? In my experience trying and defending medical malpractice cases in Virginia, there are five qualities you want (and need) your expert witness to have: expert knowledge and active clinical practice; practices in Virginia; prior expert experience; credibility and likability; and strong communication skills.”
Jacob describes how, in cases in Virginia, experts from the Commonwealth offer numerous benefits. “Beyond legal considerations, a Virginia-based expert brings practical credibility that is hard to match with someone from out of state. Jurors may naturally trust a physician who speaks with a familiar regional accent and references local hospitals by name.”
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