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Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®
Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® 2/2009

01-02-2009 | Symposium: Clinical Risk and Judicial Reasoning

The Expert Witness in Medical Malpractice Litigation

Author: B. Sonny Bal, MD, MBA

Published in: Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® | Issue 2/2009

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Abstract

Physicians may find serving as an expert witness to be interesting, intellectually stimulating, and financially beneficial. However, potential expert witnesses should be aware of the increased legal scrutiny being applied to expert witness testimony in medical malpractice litigation. In the past, expert witnesses received absolute immunity from civil litigation regarding their testimony. This is no longer the case. Expert witnesses may be subject to disciplinary sanctions from professional organizations and state medical boards. In addition, emerging case law is defining the legal duty owed by the expert witness to the litigating parties. Orthopaedic surgeons who serve as expert witnesses should be familiar with the relevant Standards of Professionalism issued by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Footnotes
1
© April 2005 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
 
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Metadata
Title
The Expert Witness in Medical Malpractice Litigation
Author
B. Sonny Bal, MD, MBA
Publication date
01-02-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® / Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 0009-921X
Electronic ISSN: 1528-1132
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0634-4

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