Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law Blog
When it comes to mesothelioma lawsuits, it is usually a good idea to look for expert assistance. An attorney is one of the experts a patient or the family of a mesothelioma patient needs to work with. Another expert that might prove beneficial to a mesothelioma case is an expert witness. Usually, expert witnesses are necessary in personal injury cases where medical and legal issues become complex, and mesothelioma lawsuits almost always involve complex medical and legal issues.
Read on to learn how an expert witness can help your mesothelioma case.
What is an Expert Witness?
After a mesothelioma patient hires an attorney, among the first things that the attorney does is look for witnesses. Witnesses usually include family members, friends, and acquaintances, including former co-workers. Such witnesses are known as lay witnesses. Usually, lay witnesses speak from personal knowledge about, among other things, the plaintiff’s exposure to asbestos and/or how mesothelioma has affected the plaintiff’s life. Lay witnesses may also provide the court with information about who is liable.
Mesothelioma cases also sometimes involve the use of expert witnesses. So, who are expert witnesses? An expert witness is an individual with special knowledge, training, skills, or education in a particular subject (in this case, the subject of mesothelioma). Unlike lay witnesses, expert witnesses do not provide information that is a matter of personal knowledge. Instead, they provide information that is a matter of fact. They are usually helpful because they possess special knowledge, skill, training, or education that may help validate a mesothelioma claim.
Types of Expert Witnesses in Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Mesothelioma lawsuits typically require the involvement of medical, scientific, and economic experts. A medical expert can help prove that a plaintiff has mesothelioma. Such an expert can help prove that a plaintiff is suffering from mesothelioma symptoms. Remember, mesothelioma symptoms can be like the symptoms of other conditions. Medical experts in a mesothelioma case could include;
- Radiologists
- Pathologists
- Oncologists
- Pulmonologists
A radiologist can, for example, testify that a plaintiff’s X-rays or CT scans show scarring in the lungs, which is a characteristic of asbestos exposure.
Indeed, even a plaintiff’s doctor can testify. There are many benefits that come with using a medical expert. For example, the reputation of these medical experts increases their credibility in the jury’s eyes. Also, because of their experience, a medical expert can predict the defense side’s questions and know how to present information to the court.
Scientific experts are mainly helpful in proving causation. It is not enough for a plaintiff to prove that they have mesothelioma. They also need to show that the defendant is responsible for exposing them to asbestos. A scientific expert can help a plaintiff do this.
Lastly, economic experts primarily help the court determine the size of the award to give to a plaintiff. If, for example, a diagnosis causes a plaintiff to retire early, an economic expert can help calculate how much potential income the plaintiff will lose.
Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyers
If you or someone you know was diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to talk to one of our experienced and nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your case. Our office can help investigate your case and determine whether compensation can be sought from any negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.