The Role of Expert Witnesses in FELA Cases
Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), expert witnesses help navigate the legal challenges of workplace injuries. These professionals transform technical information into clear stories that explain what happened to an injured worker and why it matters.
For example, medical experts—who are sometimes treating doctors—do more than simply record injuries. They connect the details of an incident to its broader health impacts, showing how a workplace accident affects a worker’s current and future well-being, including whether a worker has suffered a debilitating injury and what medical care will be reasonably required in the future. These professionals help courts and juries understand the true human cost of railroad accidents.
Similarly, safety and technical (often mechanical) experts provide critical insights into workplace conditions and equipment. Railroad specialists examine maintenance records, inspect equipment, and examine safety protocols and regulations—both workplace and governmental. Their testimony helps establish whether a railroad fulfilled its duty to protect workers, including identifying potential systemic problems that may have contributed to an injury.
Economic experts add another important layer by calculating the financial impact of an injury. They estimate future medical costs, potential lost earnings, and the overall economic consequences of a workplace accident. This helps ensure that compensation reflects the full extent of a worker’s losses.
In addition, the range of expert witnesses has grown to include specialists from many fields. For example, ergonomics experts can explain how workplace design might contribute to injuries. Life-care planners provide insights into future medical needs, while vocational experts address employment challenges caused by workplace injuries.
These experts function as teachers. They translate complex technical information into understandable data or stories. They use their professional knowledge to bridge the gap between technical details and human experience, helping judges and juries comprehend the full context of a workplace injury.
In legal proceedings, expert witnesses often provide their conclusions through written reports and courtroom testimony. While attorneys may recommend (or endorse) an expert, a judge makes the final decision about their qualifications and relevance to a specific case. Although the judge of each case acts as the ultimate gatekeeper as to which experts may be allowed to testify at trial, not all experts are created equally. It is important to understand that a good (or great) expert is objective. The expert who takes “sides” or acts as an “advocate” loses credibility. Expert witnesses (should) provide an objective, comprehensive analysis of the technical circumstances surrounding a workplace injury, enabling legal counsel to construct a substantive and persuasive narrative for the court. By presenting factual, unbiased insights, these expert professionals lay the critical foundation upon which skilled attorneys build a compelling case that effectively communicates the full scope of the worker’s experience and potential damages.
At Schlichter Bogard, we recognize the pivotal role of expert testimony in constructing a comprehensive personal-injury claim. Our legal team possesses extensive experience in identifying, securing, and strategically leveraging expert witnesses in railroad-injury cases. Our attorneys are prepared to provide sophisticated legal guidance and support for individuals navigating work-related injury claims. We invite those seeking professional legal counsel to contact our office for confidential consultation regarding their specific circumstances.