A book for physicians
Inside the Expert Witness World
A practical, candid guide for physicians who want to build credibility, purpose, and income in medico-legal work. By Michael Kalivar, founder of Kalivar, who has reviewed hundreds of cases and testified in courtrooms across the country.
Read the first chapter free
Enter your email and we will send you the preface, the introduction, and Chapter 1 of Inside the Expert Witness World.
In your free chapter
The free download includes the preface, the introduction, and all of Chapter 1. In Chapter 1 you will learn:
- The two questions at the center of most medical-legal disputes: was the standard of care met, and did any deviation cause the injury
- The difference between a fact witness and an expert witness
- The Credibility Triad: competence, clarity, and impartiality
- Three common myths about expert work, and the truth behind each
A look at medico-legal work from the inside
Credibility
How a physician earns the trust of attorneys, courts, and juries.
Purpose
Why this work matters to patients, to the profession, and to the justice system.
Income
How medico-legal work can become a real source of income next to a clinical career.
What you will learn
- How to identify your niche and use your clinical background
- Techniques for writing persuasive, evidence-based opinions
- Strategies for effective testimony in depositions and court
- How to build and keep long-term credibility in the medical-legal field
What is inside the book
- 1
The Importance of Expert Testimony in the Justice System
The role of medical experts, fact witness vs. expert witness, the impact of a credible expert, the stakes and responsibilities, common myths about expert work
- 2
Finding Your Niche as a Medical Expert Witness
The medical-legal landscape, identifying your expertise zone, market demand, the ethics and logistics of representation, responding to attorney inquiries and retainer agreements
- 3
How to Review Medical Records Effectively
The phases of the record review, organizing notes and keeping confidentiality, spotting patterns, biases, and pitfalls, reviewing specific record types, drafting the preliminary summary, efficiency tips for busy physicians
- 4
Communicating Your Opinion to Attorneys
Preparing for the discussion, choosing the right communication method, presenting an unfavorable opinion, when the attorney pushes back, billing and documentation, affidavits and signed statements
- 5
Case Summary Writing Guide
What attorneys actually want, the anatomy of a strong report, common mistakes, a before-and-after example, polishing your writing
- 6
Billing, Engagements, and Contracts
Setting your fees, engagement agreements, managing the relationship, financial ethics, a checklist of engagement red flags and when to walk away
- 7
Depositions and Testimony
Understanding the process, preparation, performance during deposition, in the courtroom, a preparation checklist, common cross-examination tactics and how to handle them
- 8
Building Reputation and Repeat Work
Post-case follow-up, networking and visibility, turning experience into brand equity, time management for clinicians, a 90-day credibility plan
- 9
Avoiding Pitfalls
Ethical boundaries, common legal risks, professionalism under pressure, protecting your reputation
Plus appendices you can put to work: a sample expert engagement agreement, a case report template, a fee schedule template, an expert witness vocabulary glossary, and a resource list.
About the author
Michael Kalivar is the founder of Kalivar, the marketplace that connects attorneys with physician experts who review cases and give their opinion on merit.