Wrongful death in a rehabilitation or detox facility: It’s not something any family or friend wants to think about. Putting a loved one in a rehabilitation or detox facility is difficult enough, but having harm or even death come to them in their most vulnerable state is unfathomable. If you are choosing to get an attorney, building a strong case against the facility who mistreated your loved one is essential. To vindicate wrongful death, getting help from expert witnesses, medical professionals, and facility management is key.
Bringing a case to trial can be taxing, but the rewards are often substantial. Civil complaints must be filed, certain parties must be served their court summons, and the judge of the case must work out a schedule with all lawyers involved. If a settlement among the two parties cannot be reached, the case can move to trial where both sides will produce evidence, including documents and testimonies proving their case.
What Do Expert Witnesses Do?
One way to make your case stronger is by using expert witnesses. Expert witnesses are professionals in a specific field that agree to provide their knowledge during a trial of the same issue. These authorities are not associated with the facility or people involved in the trial, rather they are a trusted third party experts explaining their professional view of the situation. Expert witnesses can change the outcome of a trial because of their extensive knowledge. They will research, provide information to the case, and break down confusing jargon and complicated issues so the jury can understand. Medical Examiners are used often in wrongful death cases because they can talk about the factors that may have contributed to someone’s death.
Medical Professionals as Expert Witnesses for Your Case
If the wrongful death was brought upon by negligence or abuse, which it often is, having a testimony by a medical professional can strengthen your case. Doctors, nurses, and all varieties of medical professionals are sometimes asked to testify to give their insight to specific issues in a trial. “Medical professionals, as members of the medical community, patient advocates, and private citizens, have a professional and ethical responsibility to assist with the civil and criminal judicial processes fairly and unbiasedly.” Evidence and experienced based testimony from medical professionals is becoming more popular in trials, especially those associated with malpractice, standards of care, negligence, and medical errors.
Having medical and expert witnesses are strong ways to present a case. Another way, which can be just as strong, is by obtaining a facility management expert. These are certified professionals who know the ins and outs of how a certain facility should be operating, including medically, financially, and procedurally. A facility management witness can testify to how adequate the rehab or detox facility is functioning, and if operations and procedures, standards, and codes are being followed by all staff. Their opinion can bring light to any negligence or errors in the facility.
If you are bringing a case to trial for wrongful death in a detox or rehab facility, these expert witnesses can not only help strengthen your position and help win your case, but also help bring attention to the wrongful acts that occurred to your loved one and possible other patients.
You Don’t Have to Go at it Alone: Consult a California Wrongful Death Attorney Today for Free
If your family has suffered a loss from what you think is negligence in a rehab center, detox facility or nursing home, we want to hear from you now. Please contact us for a 100% free consultation.
