Common Mistakes Expert Witnesses Make in Their Reports and How To Avoid Them:
1. Avoid getting out of your true area of expertise. If an expert is called to report on property management, they shouldn't start talking about other aspects of commercial real estate. Staying focused is crucial or it can leave you exposed and vulnerable.
2. Choosing your words carefully when writing your report or speaking live is also just as important. Try to steer away from using "absolute" or misleading words. Examples of "absolute" words would be "always" or "never". Under cross examination, the opposing lawyer can accuse you of exaggeration and, again, leave you open to attack.
3. Lastly, it is so important to avoid sloppy mistakes. Typographical errors, inconsistencies, and easily avoidable mistakes can make you look sloppy and untrustworthy. The confidence in your testimony can be destroyed.
With your reputation and name on the line, you don't want to get caught under attack and have the jury or lawyers lose confidence in you as an expert. All of these simple mistakes are 100% avoidable but can be devastating to an expert witness's career.