Do You Need an Expert Witness for Your Workers Compensation Case?

In some cases, an expert witness might be needed to demonstrate the worker’s eligibility for workers’ compensation.

When a worker is injured while performing their job, they are generally covered by workers’ compensation. Through it, the victim can get compensation or benefits that pay the medical bills and make up for a part of the lost wages. 

Filing a workers’ compensation claim can be simple in some cases, but it also might get complicated if there are no eyewitnesses, if a pre-existing condition or injury is present or the worker got injured in unclear circumstances. In such cases, an expert witness might be needed to demonstrate the worker’s eligibility for the plan.

What Is an Expert Witness?

An expert witness is a specialist who can provide evidence, even if they were not present at the scene of the accident when it happened. They analyze the hard evidence collected for the case to make precise assumptions about how the accident happened and how it affected the victim’s health or other aspects of life. 

What Types of Expert Witnesses Can You Hire?

Medical expert witnesses are the most common ones victims hire to help with their workers’ compensation case. They can provide information on how the accident occurred, and how the injuries were inflicted. They can also determine how long the recovery process will be and when the victim is expected to reach MMI (medical maximum improvement).

Accident reconstruction experts can also help tremendously in complicated workers’ compensation cases. They process the evidence at the scene (such as debris, damage to the cars involved, conditions of the road, and so on) to determine how the accident happened and who is at fault (though fault is generally not relevant to workers’ comp cases).

Financial experts are another type of specialist who can shed some light on a difficult worker’s comp case. They will go through the victim’s income records and establish the value of the total lost income during the recovery period. They can provide evidence that will be used to calculate the reasonable amount of money the victim should receive for financial loss.

When and How to Hire an Expert Witness

Injured employees don’t have to hire an expert witness every time they file a workers’ compensation case. However, if you need extra evidence to support your claim, then you may consider hiring one. 

Your Missouri workers’ compensation attorney can determine if such a service is worth hiring. They can also recommend witnesses who are familiar with the workers’ comp system and requirements. 

A Lawyer Can Help You Make the Right Decisions for Your Case

Working with an experienced Missouri work injury attorney can ensure you get the compensation you are entitled to, especially if the circumstances of your accident require an expert witness. Your lawyer can contact the right witnesses and help you build a strong case.