The Value of an Expert Witness in a New York Construction Accident Case
If you’re injured at a construction site in Brooklyn or elsewhere in New York, you might decide to seek compensation for your injuries. It’s only fair, after all, if someone else’s carelessness caused the whole situation.
The Difference Between Witnesses and Expert Witnesses
Your attorney will want to talk with people who witnessed your accident. People who are familiar with the conditions at the construction site might also be able to provide valuable information that helps to prove who was at fault for your injuries. These witnesses can be incredibly valuable if your case goes to trial.
However, there’s another type of witness your lawyer might call: an expert witness. An expert witness isn’t necessarily someone who saw what happened; it’s someone with skills, training and expertise that can help strengthen your case.
Construction Accident Expert Witnesses
Expert witnesses in a construction accident case can include:
- Medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, or emergency medical technicians
- Construction company managers or owners not involved in the case
- Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- Electricians or other professionals who can testify about the inherent dangers in construction work
Expert witnesses are valuable because they are literally subject-matter experts. Their testimony supports other witnesses’ testimonies, and they’re held to a high standard when they’re testifying in court. They must state unbiased opinion on things such as the severity of an injury, the cause of the failure of a tool, machine or other device, or OSHA safety regulations.
What Your Brooklyn Construction Accident Lawyer Might Advise
Your attorney might feel that an expert’s testimony will help your case if it goes to trial. Naturally, you’ll have to provide your attorney with the names and contact information of eyewitnesses. However, he or she will find a talented, qualified expert witness whose testimony the court can trust if necessary.