Why is it important to have experts testify in your oil field case?

The Need For Expert Witnesses In Fort Worth, Texas Oil Field Cases

This is the next post in our series on the handling of oil field accident cases in Fort Worth, Texas. Our last article discussed the process of identifying defendants after an oil field accident. It is important to understand that such matters can involve multiple parties and it is important to name each potential defendant. If a party is not named then the Plaintiff runs the risk of not gaining their full recovery. This is just one reason why it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible if you or a loved one have been injured in an accident. In this article we will discuss the need for expert witnesses in such cases. It is important to contact a lawyer with the resources necessary to hire such experts.

We previously discussed the role of expert witnesses in head injury cases. In that article we discussed the fact that medical and vocational experts will be necessary to prove the extent of a victim’s injuries, the amount of money needed to pay for future medical care, and the extent (if any) that the victim will be able to return to work. These same concepts apply to someone who was injured in an oil-related accident. It goes without saying that someone who suffers such an injury may be seriously hurt. This means that the victim may require ongoing treatment for years, if not the rest of their life. Medical professionals will determine the victim’s long-term prognosis and prepare a report which states their findings. They will also project the expected cost of care. A vocational expert will then determine what jobs the victim can perform. These calculations will help to form a basis for the calculation of damages.

It will also be necessary to retain an expert witness to establish liability on the part of the defendant or defendants. Laypeople are not permitted to testify as to subjects which require specialized knowledge, experience, or expertise. Whether or not oil rig equipment was properly operated and maintained would fall into this category. Also, it will be necessary to have a professional testify in regards to safety precautions which are normally taken on the typical oil rig. If such precautions were not taken at the time of your injury then such a failure may point to liability on the part of the defendants.

When selecting an oil field accident lawyer it is important that Fort Worth residents select a firm who has the resources necessary to hire expert witnesses. Such professionals often charge substantial fees and the law firm will pay these costs up front. If you retain a firm without the resources needed to hire such professionals then you run the risk of your case not being handled properly. Your attorney, therefore, should have significant financial backing regardless of whether you were injured in Fort Worth, Dallas, or elsewhere in Texas.