Physician Assistant Costs for Expert Witnesses
In California, the law surrounding the fees charged by expert witnesses who are medical assistants has recently modified. The statute requires attorneys to pay fair fees to treating physicians who testify on behalf of their clients. The physician is entitled to payment despite the attorney’s tardiness. The physician may charge an hourly or daily fee, depending on the type of testimony. Consider the following variables when establishing a price schedule for a medical assistant expert witness.
According to Dr. Joel Lavine significant time investment is necessary for expert witness work. Reviewing medical information and composing an expert report needs a considerable amount of time. Typically, this work is finished on time. The expert report summarizes the case information and relevant literature, and forms part of the official case record upon submission. Moreover, the report is routinely questioned during depositions. Before taking a case, it is crucial to understand how much experience a medical assistant must possess.
The fee schedule must account for the time spent on preparation, travel, and actual testimony. Many seasoned specialists charge an hourly rate, whilst others charge a case-specific retainer. Frequently, the fee exceeds the clinical rate. It is common for physician assistants to earn hourly wages in the four-figure range. Some attorneys desire a report and literature analysis, but others are only interested in an expert’s opinion. In such circumstances, an hourly rate is reasonable.
Dr. Joel Lavine pointed out that, the selection of a physician assistant expert witness is heavily influenced by the attorney’s needs. Some attorneys choose an expert from the same state, while others go for one with a more broad background. A physician assistant expert witness should be able to commit sufficient time to a complete review and speak well during the trial and deposition, regardless of the methodology employed. If the issue involves medical negligence, the expert must be competent in the relevant subject and able to communicate their conclusions in a way that the jury can comprehend.
In significant trials, expert witnesses are frequently necessary, and their prices are frequently a factor in picking the best one. According to a survey conducted by SEAK, Inc., 74% of these professions charge a retainer fee. The average retainer for a medical expert witness is $2000. Nearly half of the expert witnesses require a signed retainer agreement and a minimum number of deposition hours.
Background and experience of a PA might be advantageous to both the plaintiff and the defendant. A physician may speak on his or her function as a supervisor despite having experience in a speciality outside of his or her field of competence. It is vital to remember that physician assistants are not permitted to testify regarding the standard of care delivered by a physician in a medical malpractice lawsuit; therefore, it is essential that the medical expert be certified.
Dr. Joel Lavine thinks that, promoting your expertise is crucial to building your credibility as an expert witness. Numerous attorneys and organizations maintain listings of qualified medical witnesses. You can also directly market your services to attorneys. Due to the tiny size of the malpractice attorney community, this practice specialty may not provide you with many clients. Consider volunteering with the professional licensing bodies tasked with conducting pre-litigation reviews. Once you have sufficient work, you may always increase your fees and decline additional employment.
