Trial prep and testimony

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I am testifying at trial soon for a whiplash patient. She and her husband were hit and the other guy was clearly at fault. Insurance is complaining about the medical care not all being related to the accident. Blah, Blah, Blah, etc.

(she had shoulder surgery later in her recovery and the surgeon said her shoulder pain slowed her neck healing.)

I used to treat testifying as a service to my patient whom I had already benefited from treating because I had made a decent profit from care. I charged very little for testimony and nothing for pre-trial conferences. Since then I found out what a neurologist charged for testimony, and holy sh*t! it was a ton! And the neurologist didn’t do any remedial work with the patient, only diagnostic. I also realized that capitalism is a win-win situation (otherwise people don’t buy); i.e. Subway gets $7 for a sandwich at a profit and I don’t have to make a sandwich or keep the stuff cold etc. Win-win.

So, I was wondering how you guys charge.

I don’t think it’s right to compare fees with one another but would be interested to see WHAT services you charge for (i.e. Prep work, travel, minimums etc.)

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Another concept is that lawyers try to negotiate payment after the case doesn’t win as much as they hoped. Interesting concept considering they don’t pay you more if they win big.

For case settlements, I will rarely consider a reduction, but for trials, it needs to be cast in stone. This way they make the decision whether they want you to testify and whether it’s worth it to the case for the cost. Chiropractors with our historical low self image will often cut our fees but other doctors who do less for the patient will not.

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This is from the neurologist from 4 years ago:

File review, preparation    150.00 per hr.

Pre-trial conferences    150.00 per hr. (6 min. increments)

Testimony        1,000.00 per day (1 day minimum)

Deposition

    Dr.’s office    500.00 per day (1 day minimum)

    Travel to deposition    700.00 per day (1 day minimum)

Staff preparation    50.00 per hr. (6 min. increments)

Expenses: copies, travel, etc.    -to be calculated

Conditions:

Payment for court testimony or deposition payable in advance prior to pre-trial conferences.

If court testimony or deposition is cancelled 24 hours prior to scheduled court appearance time, full refund will be made less fees for conference, preparation, and itemized expenses.

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Thanks in advance.

Contact me off list if necessary...

E. Abrahamson, D.C.

Chiropractic physician

Lake Oswego Chiropractic Clinic

315 Second Street

Lake Oswego, OR 97034

503-635-6246

Website: http://www.lakeoswegochiro.com