Expert Witnesses in Virginia Nursing Home Bedsore Cases
Expert witnesses serve an integral role in medical malpractice cases. In a Virginia nursing home bedsore case, qualified expert witnesses may give their opinions on key issues related to the claims. Since bedsore cases typically involve complicated medical concepts and terminology, expert witnesses can aid the jury in understanding the medical issues which the jury may not be trained or experienced enough to understand on their own.
If a nursing home’s negligence caused you or a loved one’s bedsores, a nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to assist you in finding a qualified expert witness. Talk with an attorney today, regarding expert witnesses in Virginia nursing home bedsore cases.
Expert Witness Qualifications in Pressure Sore Cases
Before an expert witness is able to aid the jury in matters involving specialized knowledge, he or she must first be qualified to provide an opinion. The Code of Virginia Annotated §8.01-581.20 notes numerous ways in which a witness may be qualified to provide testimony in a medical malpractice case. Qualification may be based on:
- Familiarity with the standards in the health care provider’s specialty
- Familiarity with the type of behavior which fails to meet the applicable standards of care
- Medical practice within one year of the act which forms the basis of the claim
- Training, education, and working experience that meets the statutory requirements
An attorney who finds a qualified expert witness can introduce them as an expert witness in the case.
Establishing Liability and Damages
A nursing home defendant may mount numerous defenses in a bedsore case. They might claim that their conduct was not negligent or that their conduct did not cause the injury. Some nursing home defendants might concede some damages but argue the reasonableness of damages of which the plaintiff is claiming.
Expert witness testimony can help to establish liability, as an expert in the medical field may provides an opinion on the standard of care and the nursing home’s failure to meet that standard. A qualified expert could explain how a reasonable provider would have behaved under the circumstances surrounding the negligent act. If a nursing home defendant failed to meet the standard of care, and that failure resulted in the injury, then they may be liable for damages.
Expert witnesses, including medical professionals and economists, might be able to provide assistance in assessing any future damages. Depending on the nature and extent of the injury, a nursing home patient could need months or even years of medical treatment relating to the bedsores. Expert witnesses may be able to assess the patient’s medical needs and identify the treatment and services that the patient will require.
A nursing home patient might benefit from an attorney’s help in utilizing expert witness testimony to support their case. Considering the complexity of most medical malpractice claims, having a qualified expert to break down the key concepts could be vital to the claim.
Learn More About Expert Witnesses in Nursing Home Bedsore Cases
The medical concepts and terminology involved in most medical malpractice cases are foreign to the average person. Expert witness testimony could aid in preparation and in trial. If a nursing home’s negligence caused your or a loved one’s bedsores, you may wish to talk with an attorney about expert witnesses in Virginia nursing home bedsore cases.
