So You Want to Be an Expert Witness

Expert witnesses are used to help the parties and the trier of fact (judge/jury) understand technical facts relating to the expert's particular specialty or area of expertise. In the case of a neonatal nurse or advanced practice nurse, it could include opinions about the care provided to seriously ill infants, newborns, or resuscitation efforts at birth. Sometimes you may be both a fact witness and an expert witness. This may happen when you are asked questions that relate to what you do and how the subject did things and then are asked to give an opinion as an expert. Outside of having practiced for years in your field, there is no special or additional training required. However, some nurses do take courses to help them understand the legal issues, how to organize/review a case, and how to be a more effective witness.