Practice Points
Only when you have tested the proposed litigation strategy for legal viability should you establish whether it makes medical sense.
The primary medical screening should be undertaken by a physician with medicolegal experience and a broad medical background.
Attempting to use the same physician for both Resource and Trial functions is false economy in any but the most simple, black-and-white cases.
Community standards of medical care are more time sensitive and less geographically determined than many litigators imagine.
All too frequently, clear violations of acceptable medical practice fail on causation.
While you may succeed in proving liability and your client's entitlement to costs, the resultant damages may be too small to justify the investment of your time in developing the case.
The Resource physician has an ongoing ancillary role in the development of litigation strategy and enhancement of the strength of your evidence.
