Why does a car crash, slip and fall and dog bite case cost so much to take to trial ?
There is one cost item that is common to truck/car crash, slip and fall and dog bite cases. Purcellville and Middleburg area injury lawyer Doug Landau points out that in each of these cases, the PLAINTIFF must put on proof of her injuries and losses. Expert medical testimony is generally required for such issues as:
- permanent injury,
- future medical treatment,
- causation,
- pre-existing conditions,
- complications,
- life expectancy,
- plastic surgery for scars,
- impairment,
- job restrictions and
- disability from work
ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. was advised this week that a major orthopedic group in the Commonwealth of Virginia has doctors who charge $1,500/hour for preparation, depositions, medico-legal meetings, etc. and $8,000 for court appearance. In other words, for an injured plaintiff to put competent proof before the judge and jury, $10,000 will be spent for the medical evidence from the treating doctor. In cases in New York CIty and other “high priced” jurisdictions, it cost much more than $10,000 to properly present medical evidence in court. Most other expenses pale in comparison, with exhibit notebooks and subpoenas costing less than $100, enlargements of photographs and scene diagrams less than $250, and medical illustrations less than $2,000. Many law firms that pretend to be personal injury trial firms never invest in these kinds of necessary items. Doug Landau has seen other so-called “injury lawyers” try cases “on the cheap,” without doctors’ testimony, professional exhibits, subpoenaed witnesses and even translators. Lawyer Landau advises, “do not be penny wise and pound foolish. The best advice: get an experienced TRIAL lawyer, one who actually tries cases in court and who invests the necessary time, staff and money that the cases deserve.”