Expert Witness

I have mentioned in class that I occasionally appear as an expert witness in malpractice cases involving chiropractors. This is one use that courts make of experts. Another, far more common use of an expert comes when you are asked (or ordered) to testify on behalf of a patient, concerning injuries and disability issues. As a factual witness you may state what the patient told you, what you found when you examined the patient, and how your course of chiropractic care objectively improved the patient's status. Very often you will then be asked to give your opinion on the patient's condition, and predict how they will fare in the future. Only experts may testify about their opinions, so your status immediately changes from factual witness to expert witness. Here is a thorough article dealing with expert testimony.