Assignment : Midweek Production Assignment: Finding Expert Witnesses
In this assignment you are asked to locate an expert witness for a negligence case. Expert witnesses can be of great importance in many types of cases. They should be selected carefully.
Jacob, a laborer working for a roofing company in St. Paul, Minnesota, has sued his company for negligence causing personal injuries. While Jacob was working on a roof, the security belt and lines he was using broke, and Jacob fell from the roof.
The security belt and lines securing workers on the roof were provided by the company. Jacob alleges that the security belts were not installed properly resulting in his fall and injury.
Your office represents the plaintiff, Jacob. Your lawyer asks you to visit the scene of the accident and check if the security lines were properly installed and if they operated properly. Your lawyer has spoken to the company's attorney, Jessica Drake, and she has agreed to your visit.
Your lawyer asks you to draft a formal letter to John Sykes, the owner of the company, and Jessica Drake, informing them of the purpose, place, and time of your inspection. Schedule the inspection at the scene of accident at 10.00 A.M.
Your lawyer also asks you to identify and contact an expert who would be useful for the inspection. Using the Internet, research and find an expert.
Prepare an autobiographical and professional note about the expert that you will present to your lawyer for approval.
Draft a letter no longer than 500 words, which your law office will send to the expert. The letter should:
Explain the case briefly.
Notify the expert of the time, place, and purpose of the inspection.
Ask if the expert needs any additional information or any special preparation before the inspection.
In addition to prepare your expert witness, your lawyer asks you to write 10-15 probable questions that the adversary party may ask the expert in court. Focus on questions relevant to the case-questions regarding the expert witness's name, age, and address do not count.
A letter to John Sykes and his attorney
A note containing expert's details
A deposition sheet form containing questions for the expert