With the unending complexity of the human body and medical treatments, medical malpractice cases can be difficult to analyze. You may have left the hospital or treatment office with worsening symptoms, unexpected complications, or permanent disabilities, without a clear understanding of what went wrong. Understanding how expert witnesses work in Michigan medical malpractice cases can help you understand what evidence can support your claim.
Why a Medical Professional’s Testimony Matters in a Michigan Medical Malpractice Case
Witnesses are typically licensed healthcare professionals who can analyze the facts of your case and offer insight into whether the medical care you received was the result of negligence. They should have specialized education and experience in the same field as your injury. For example, if a claim involves a board-certified surgeon, the witness should also be board-certified in the same surgical specialty.
It is reported that 15% of physicians currently serve as witnesses in legal cases, but that does not mean it is easy to find the right witness for your case. A medical malpractice attorney can help you find an unbiased medical professional with the right qualifications to serve as a witness. Your attorney can identify a witness who:
- Is licensed in the same or a similar field to the defendant
- Has recent, relevant medical or teaching experience
- Can provide accurate and objective analysis
A medical professional provides documents and sworn statements that explain how the defendant did not meet the standard of care. They first must do this with an Affidavit of Merit, which you must file alongside your medical malpractice claim. In the courtroom, witnesses provide interpretation for complex medical documents. They can explain medical records and decisions so the judge and jury can understand if the defendant failed to provide proper care.
Beyond interpreting evidence, a witness provides a professional analysis. They can evaluate the standard of care and explain how the defendant should have, but failed to, act. They can also explain how the defendant’s errors led to your injuries, explaining the health impacts of a surgical error, misdiagnosis, unsterile environment, or other issue.
Why Hire a Medical Malpractice Attorney After a Medical Complication
If you are suffering from medical care errors, you should hire a medical malpractice attorney to help you gather the evidence you need to share your story. An experienced Michigan medical malpractice attorney has experience analyzing medical evidence.
They work with qualified witnesses to analyze evidence like medical records, diagnostic imaging, and treatment notes to build a claim that pursues a full recovery from your injuries. Their analysis is thorough, catching critical details that can easily be overlooked.
An attorney can collaborate with a witness to meet the legal requirements outlined in Michigan’s medical malpractice laws. An attorney can help the witness fill out the proper court filings needed to move forward with your case, but you may not be able to have your case heard in Michigan’s circuit courts. Your attorney can also create strategic questions for the witness to answer that highlight the key details needed to prove your healthcare provider was negligent.
Ultimately, a medical malpractice attorney can build a strategy that integrates professional testimony into a strong case. It is reported that 31.2% of doctors have legal claims against them at some point during their career, and often use defenses such as proving they met the standard of care or that their injuries were not due to their actions. Your attorney can consider the potential disputes the defendant raises, crafting arguments backed by medical professionals.
In Michigan, Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, has 40+ years of experience guiding medical malpractice victims through Michigan’s complex legal system. We can help you get the medical testimony you need to achieve the right outcome for your case.
FAQs About Expert Witnesses Work in Michigan Medical Malpractice Cases
What Is the Michigan Court Rule for Witnesses?
One of Michigan’s most significant court rules for witnesses is that witnesses in medical malpractices are required to file an affidavit of merit. This document is a sworn statement that affirms that the defendant breached their duty of care to you, which caused or worsened your injury. According to Michigan’s medical malpractice laws, you must have this document to proceed with your case.
Do You Need a Professional Witness for a Medical Malpractice Claim?
Yes, a professional witness is needed when filing a medical malpractice claim. A witness can provide knowledgeable insight into what the defendant’s duty of care was, whether they breached this duty, and whether your injuries were caused by this breach. Without a qualified witness, it is difficult to establish credibility for your claim. A witness’s statement is also necessary to begin a case, through their affidavit of merit.
What Is the Hardest Element to Prove in a Michigan Medical Malpractice Case?
There were 2,436 medical malpractice cases in Michigan in 2025, each with unique case details that influence which element was the hardest to successfully prove. However, one complex area in many cases is proving that your healthcare provider’s mistake directly caused your injury or worsened your condition. Having a witness can help prove causation, distinguishing the difference between your underlying condition and harm caused by negligence.
What Makes a Witness Credible?
What makes a witness credible is that they have extensive education, training, and professional experience in the subject matter related to the case. A witness must act as an impartial party who can analyze medical records and other evidence in their field and take care when analyzing the data properly. The witness also has to be able to communicate clearly with the judge and jury.
Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC: Trusted Michigan Medical Malpractice Attorneys
If you have been harmed by your healthcare provider’s actions, it can be difficult to navigate the complex legal system while also taking the time you need to recover. At Goethel Engelhardt, PLLC, our team of medical malpractice attorneys has the knowledge of medical malpractice and witness laws needed to build a strong claim.
Contact us to schedule a confidential case consultation where you can learn how our unwavering dedication to providing aggressive litigation can help you get the outcome you need.
