Set conditions on the use of expert witnesses: • Require that an expert witness be licensed and trained in the relevant discipline,  certified by a board recognized by the state, and substantially familiar with the standard of care on the date of injury. Require that an expert witness be licensed in the forum state or a  contiguous state and has practiced for one year preceding the date of injury. Prohibit testimony from expert witnesses whose compensation depends upon  the outcome of the lawsuit. Prohibit a health care provider from being required to give expert opinion  testimony against himself or herself except with respect to discovery. Establish a collateral source rule to admit evidence of payments by other defendants • (see Providing Jury Full Information on the Plaintiff’s Actual Damages, p. 29). This reform exists in a majority of states, but it was held unconstitutional in  Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, and New Hampshire. Require claim submission to pretrial screening or an arbitration panel to determine • the validity of a case, or rely on an impartial third party for resolution.
• Set conditions on the use of expert witnesses:  Require that an expert witness be licensed and trained in the relevant discipline, certified by a board recognized by the state, and substantially familiar with the standard of care on the date of injury.  Require that an expert witness be licensed in the forum state or a contiguous state and has practiced for one year preceding the date of injury.  Prohibit testimony from expert witnesses whose compensation depends upon the outcome of the lawsuit.  Prohibit a health care provider from being required to give expert opinion testimony against himself or herself except with respect to discovery. • Establish a collateral source rule to admit evidence of payments by other defendants (see Providing Jury Full Information on the Plaintiff’s Actual Damages, p. 29).  This reform exists in a majority of states, but it was held unconstitutional in Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, and New Hampshire. • Require claim submission to pretrial screening or an arbitration panel to determine the validity of a case, or rely on an impartial third party for resolution.
101waystoimprovestatelegalsystems_1.docx