The Role of Expert Witnesses in Product Liability Trials

Witnesses in a trial are generally restricted to answering questions in terms of what they saw, heard, felt, smelled or tasted. Should a witness venture to express an answer based on their opinion, the opposing attorney will be on their feet and calling “objection” before the witness can finish their sentence.

Expert witnesses, however, are an exception to the rule. The precise reason an expert witness is called to the stand is to state their opinion.

The Role of an Expert Witness

An expert witness is a person who is a specialist in a subject and is qualified by right of their training, special knowledge, skill, and expertise to formulate a conclusion without having been present for an occurrence relating to a lawsuit. But an expert witness can be worth their weight in gold long before the trial ever enters the courtroom.

Product liability cases are some of the most challenging cases for trial lawyers. Having to come up with proof calls for extensive time and expense. An expert witness retained early in the preparation period can suggest the direction investigations and reconstructions take, point out information sources, contribute previously conducted research, and even help a lawyer define their theory of liability or come up with an alternative one.

Contact a Products Liability Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a defective product, you are urged to contact the Indianapolis Products Liability Attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. The lawyers at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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