Monday, February 9, 2009

Quote from David Thornton, California Medical Board



"David T. Thornton, Supervising Investigator II with the Discipline Coordination Unit of the Medical Board of California, writes, "The Board has no specific jurisdiction in regard to expert witnesses. The testimony of an expert witness stands on the basis of the information provided. It is the responsibility of the attorney who represents the opposing side to impeach the expert witness's testimony if it is not accurate and to point out significant discrepancies." Therefore, it becomes a battle of wits between counsel on opposing sides. Whether the defendant is innocent or liable is not the issue; the jury will believe whichever side is more convincing. And the licensing body, like Lady Justice herself, wears a blindfold."