My jurisdiction is: MO
I'm a physician who has been subpoenaed several times to testify in court regarding patients I've treated for traumatic injuries. When I am instructed to come as a "fact witness", I get no compensation (or a very minor, token payment), but I still must take a day away from my practice, at a huge personal cost. If I am called as a "fact witness", but I am then asked my professional opinion regarding the causation of injuries, likely outcomes or recovery, or any other questions that go beyond the treatment I provided or injuries I evaluated, should I be compensated as an "expert witness"? If so, how would I go about collecting such compensation after the trial testimony is given? Would I be wrong to make a statement or question in court about this if the line of questioning appears to be involving professional opinion?
I'm a physician who has been subpoenaed several times to testify in court regarding patients I've treated for traumatic injuries. When I am instructed to come as a "fact witness", I get no compensation (or a very minor, token payment), but I still must take a day away from my practice, at a huge personal cost. If I am called as a "fact witness", but I am then asked my professional opinion regarding the causation of injuries, likely outcomes or recovery, or any other questions that go beyond the treatment I provided or injuries I evaluated, should I be compensated as an "expert witness"? If so, how would I go about collecting such compensation after the trial testimony is given? Would I be wrong to make a statement or question in court about this if the line of questioning appears to be involving professional opinion?