Tag Archives: Understanding

Mednick Associates Reveals Oncologist Search Process: Understanding the Clinical Variations of Oncology Medical Expert Witnesses by Answering 3 Questions

Posted on by


Wilton, CT (PRWEB) June 30, 2014

Legal cases involving oncology matters are bound to be emotionally straining for both the plaintiff and defendant. Since most people know someone who has battled with cancer, professional opinions on oncology cases can easily stray from objective to subjective. As a trial attorney, understanding the nature of the case and identifying the correct expert becomes challenging for this reason.

Mednick Associates, a leading nationwide medical expert witness and legal nurse consulting firm, works with and locates numerous oncologists who are able to provide objective opinions on legal cases in a wide array of oncology specialties. Questions asked during their search and screening process are outlined below:

1.)    Medical or Surgical?

Many oncology cases require a medical and surgical oncologist to review and opine. The difference lies in the specialty. A medical oncologist will opine on the nature of the cancer and the diagnosis, while the surgical oncologist will focus on the surgery related to the cancer. At times, they may disagree, which is why Mednick Associates makes sure to screen the case through both experts in order to present a consolidated opinion to their client.

2.)    What type of oncologist is needed for the case?

Many cancers present in specific parts of the anatomy, and numerous physicians can opine on such diagnoses. However, some diagnoses, like liver cancer, may present as the cancer spreads throughout the body. Knowing the source of the cancer is important. An oncologist who specializes in liver cancer may not be the most appropriate expert for a case where cancer originated elsewhere, even though the patient presents with liver cancer. Mednick Associates’ staff of Registered Nurses (RNs) reviews the pertinent medical records, determines the true source of the cancer, and finds the appropriate oncologist to opine. This saves time and money for Mednick clients by avoiding unnecessary case reviews.

3.)    Is a non-oncologist required?

Many times the damages associated with an oncology case stem from issues caused by the cancer, but out of the realm of an oncologist opinion. Sometimes, endocrinologists, general surgeons, or internal medicine experts are required to opine on subsequent care, treatment, or follow-up procedures.

Mednick Associates handles hundreds of oncology cases per year, whether malpractice, tort, or product liability related. With a network of over 90 oncologists and growing, they are able to screen cases quickly, identify the appropriate oncology expert witness and have a case reviewed for a plaintiff or defense attorney. Their experts are physicians first and only devote a small amount of their practice to legal work. This characteristic of their experts allows for a highly credible expert in the courtroom or deposition. To contact them for further information on oncology or other medical expert specialties, please call 203.966.3000 or reach them online at http://www.mednickassociates.com.







Understanding the Fundamentals of Writing an Expert Witness Report

Posted on by

The expert report is a cornerstone of your contribution to the case. It is the primary written piece of work, just as your testimony in deposition or court is the primary verbal piece of work. Before writing your expert report, you will spend time researching, explaining, listening, and meeting. Everything you write down will become the subject of interrogation or discussion.
Realize that some attorneys may use your writings long after a case ends. Bright attorneys will frequently look to the records of your previous cases to see what you have said, how you have said it, and what mistakes you may have made. These writings will guide them to whether you may be an suitable witness for them to engage. Then again, they can research your previous statements to use against you. They may look at the way you wrote something, or if what you wrote previously relates to a current opinion that you’re expressing in a new case. Be alert to whether a new case you’ve accepted leads to an opinion that differs from one you may have expressed in a previous case. An industrious attorney will probably find out any differences and call you on them.
Your expert report will need to meet legal standards. It should be organized, easy to read, professional, and effective. Depending on the complexity of the case, you will have one or more opinions about the subject of the case. You should precede your opinions with your background and accomplishments to describe who you are and why you are qualified to present those opinions.
Precisely express your opinions. Explicitly list the information you considered while coming to your opinions, and show which pieces of facts directly support those opinions. describe exactly what steps you followed and/or what technical methodologies you used as the basis for the conclusions you reached. include required extra facts, such as your contact data and your fee schedule.

Judd Robbins has been an internationally recognized expert witness since 1986 in the US and in the UK. In 2010, his book “Expert Witness Training” was published by Presentation Dynamics. Robbins has advanced degrees from UC Berkeley and the University of Michigan, has been an Information Systems manager and an Education Systems manager, and consults in both computer and legal issues. Learn more about Mr. Robbins and his Expert Witness Training materials at www.juddrobbins.com

For more information: http://www.icc-cpi.int Situation: The Republic of Kenya Case: The Prosecutor v. William Samoei Ruto and Joshua Arap Sang This issue of …