{"id":223,"date":"2011-12-07T14:38:13","date_gmt":"2011-12-07T21:38:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myconstructionexpert.com\/blog\/?p=223"},"modified":"2011-12-07T14:38:13","modified_gmt":"2011-12-07T21:38:13","slug":"the-four-step-cross-examination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myconstructionexpert.com\/blog\/the-four-step-cross-examination\/","title":{"rendered":"The Four-Step Cross-Examination"},"content":{"rendered":"

IMS ExpertServices – December 6, 2011<\/p>\n

There are numerous stages in the litigation process that are time-intensive, uncertain and stressful.\u00a0 However, if your deposition was done properly, cross-examining an expert witness is not one of those elements.\u00a0 While this will be a review for many, following these simple suggestions will ensure that your cross-examination is easy and effective.<\/p>\n

1. Establish Common Ground<\/p>\n

At the beginning of your cross-examination, when the expert is least hostile, start by covering the points of agreement between both sides. Almost every expert will have some opinions that support your case. The jury will give greater credence to this testimony coming from the opposing expert than they would from your own expert.<\/p>\n

2. Take Advantage of the Hypothetical<\/p>\n

After covering the areas where the two experts\u2019 opinions overlap, you can begin to present hypothetical situations that support your theory.\u00a0 Many jurors will give weight to even improbable possibilities presented in such a way.<\/p>\n

If the expert claims that his opinion would not change in any hypothetical situation, use this time to bring to light these implausible expressions of overconfidence, especially when the hypothetical situation obviously demands the opposite conclusion.<\/p>\n

3. Expose Limitations<\/p>\n

Remembering to only ask questions that were answered in deposition, an attorney should then ask the more critical questions that expose limitations in the expert\u2019s qualifications and work product:<\/p>\n

Assumptions that can be disproved or questioned<\/p>\n

Methods or work that would have made the expert more certain of his conclusions<\/p>\n

Gaps in education and experience that would make the expert more credible<\/p>\n

Other admissions that support your side of the case<\/p>\n

Throughout the cross-examination, remember to use short, leading questions without absolutes (such as always and never) or qualifying adjectives (such as quickly) that the expert could use to influence their answer.<\/p>\n

4. Close with a Bang<\/p>\n

For your last question, ask something that the expert answered unequivocally in your favor during deposition.\u00a0 This is not a question that could be argued in either direction but instead firmly assists your case.\u00a0 After making your point, end the cross-examination and save the compelling explanation for summation.<\/p>\n

via The Four-Step Cross-Examination | BullsEye Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

IMS ExpertServices – December 6, 2011 There are numerous stages in the litigation process that are time-intensive, uncertain and stressful.\u00a0 However, if your deposition was done properly, cross-examining an expert witness is not one of those elements.\u00a0 While this will be a review for many, following these simple suggestions will ensure that your cross-examination is… Continue reading The Four-Step Cross-Examination<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-223","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-expert-witness","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Four-Step Cross-Examination - 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