The role of expert witnesses in birth injury lawsuits

On Behalf of | May 6, 2024 | Birth Injuries

In cases where a baby gets injured during birth, expert witnesses are very important. Their knowledgeable opinions help make sure the decisions in birth injury cases are based on accurate medical facts. Expert witnesses are usually doctors with lots of experience who can explain whether the care given during the baby’s birth was right or not.

If your child got hurt during childbirth, it is important to understand how the courts may use expert witnesses to determine your claim.

Why do you need an expert witness for birth injury lawsuits?

An expert witness in a birth injury case will look at medical records, what witnesses say, and other important information to figure out what caused the baby’s injury. Their work is very important to determine if the healthcare providers are at fault due to malpractice or negligence.

The words of expert witnesses help prove that something the doctor or nurse did (or didn’t do) caused the baby’s injury. Their testimony is valuable for determining what went wrong during the birth and how it was different from what should have happened. Judges and juries will listen to these experts to better understand complex medical details with which they may not otherwise be familiar.

Who can be an expert witness in a birth injury lawsuit?

Expert witnesses in birth injury cases are often doctors with specific kinds of training relevant to the case at hand. For example, if a baby has cerebral palsy or another issue from birth, a brain doctor (neurologist) or a birth doctor (perinatologist) might be asked to explain the possible reasons for these problems and if better care could have prevented them.

For parents dealing with the aftermath of a birth injury, understanding the function and importance of expert witnesses can be a key component in navigating the legal landscape and advocating effectively for their child’s rights and well-being.

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