Articles Posted in Researching Experts

In Security for Bars, Taverns and Nightclubs, night club security expert witness Ralph Witherspoon, CPP, CSC, writes:

The goal of most bars, taverns and nightclubs is to provide a hospitable gathering place where patrons can have a good time, often by listening to entertainment and/or dancing, while purchasing and consuming the establishment’s primary product – alcoholic beverages. However, it is the latter item, the consumption of alcoholic beverages that tends to lessen or remove inhibitions in many people, which is the frequent cause of problems and, increasingly, litigation for tavern and club operators.

While potentially applicable to all types of establishments as their circumstances and clientele dictate, this article is primarily targeted toward larger bars and nightclubs, including dance clubs and adult entertainment aka. gentlemen’s clubs.

Insurance fraud expert witnesses may consult and testify on insurance claims, the insurance industry, insurance class actions, and associated topics. On its website, the California Department of Insurance offers search capability back to 2001 in their Formal Enforcement Actions.

Use this page to find pleadings and other legal documents related to formal enforcement actions that the Department has taken against insurance companies, agents, brokers and other Department licensees. Examples of documents you may find include Accusations, Orders to Show Cause, Notices of Non-Compliance, Final Decisions and Orders of the Commissioner and Appellate Orders. See insurance.ca.gov.

Auto insurance claims expert witnesses may opine on automobile insurance rates, auto insurance companies, and related matters. On its website, the California Department of Insurance offers Studies & Reports including the Automobile Complaint Composite report. The report includes 50 large automobile insurers licensed to conduct business in California.

Read more: insurance.ca.gov.

Stop loss contracting expert witness Stephen C. George, MBA-HA, President of Provider Risk, explains “stop loss”:

Stop loss is an insurance which provides reimbursement for catastrophic medical claims incurred by a self-funded employer’s employee or by a capitated HMO member. There are two primary types of medical stop loss – employer stop loss and provider stop loss (provider excess loss).

Risk management expert witness Stephen C. George, MBA-HA, President of Provider Risk, explains “capitation”:

A capitation is a fixed dollar amount per plan member per month paid to providers regardless of medical utilization. The payment structure shifts the financial risk from the insurance company to the physician or hospital accepting payment. Physicians and hospitals buy stop loss to limit any potential catastrophic medical financial loss on any one member per year.

Forensic accounting expert witness Richard Teichner, CPA, CVA, CDFAJ, answers the question Do I need a forensic accountant or valuations expert in my case?

Forensic accountants often have experience in serving as an expert witness. When explaining complex financial analyses to the trier of fact, it is imperative that your expert witness is skilled at clearly and accurately explaining the details in a manner that can be easily understood. Expert witnesses also must be objective and utilize generally acceptable practices in order for their testimony to be credible and admissible.

On his website, accident investigation expert witness Kenneth Nemire writes:

Accident Analysis and Prevention Services

Many accidents are caused by products or systems that have not been adequately designed for the people who use them. Others are caused by inattention or other behavior of the persons involved. Usually accidents have multiple causes. We use human factors analytical techniques to identify hazards and create action plans for reducing risks of injury and helping to increase workplace safety and productivity.

Forensic accounting expert witness Richard Teichner, CPA, CVA, CDFAJ, answers the question Do I need a forensic accountant or valuations expert in my case?

Certified public accountants who provide litigation support services are often referred to as “forensic accountants”. They normally are used as experts in accounting related matters that are necessary in support of business or family law litigation matters. What makes forensic accountants different is that they are experienced in using multiple methods of financial and economic analysis to provide appropriate and objective conclusions on complex financial issues, often when the facts or data are incomplete. If you are representing a client in a matter that requires financial evaluation, such as a determination of economic damages, tracing funds that have been diverted, personal injury and other matters involving financial issues, then a forensic accountant can be a valuable asset to your case. If a business valuation is needed as a means to measure damages or for other purposes in litigation, in divorce matters, or regarding the purchase or sale of a business (or business interest), then a business valuator can assist in the process.

Finance expert witnesses may opine on financial analysis, interest rate risk, and other aspects of finance. In Our Very Own Greek Tragedy, finance expert Terry Savage writes:

Greece may dominate the headlines, but we have a big debt problem in the US that could hurt our economy just as badly in the long run…

What do we do about the debt? That is the biggest question in the world today, whether we’re talking about mortgage debt here in the United States, the US national debt-now over $15 trillion-or European debt, particularly the Greek debt that obviously cannot be repaid.

Entertainment expert witnesses may opine on motion picture distribution, media formats, and media piracy. The Motion Picture Association of America website describes how rogue websites traffic in stolen movies, TV shows, and music or even counterfeit prescription medications and other goods.

The potential harm from rogue sites – exposure to malware, identity theft, unsafe and untested medicines and other counterfeit products, and lost jobs and income for creative workers – is profound. Innumerable companies rely on their intellectual property to do business and create valuable products, which supports well-paying jobs, workers’ pension and healthcare plans, and healthy local economies and tax revenues. In the U.S., the motion picture industry alone supports more than 2 million jobs, including truck drivers, architects, accountants, make-up artists, animators, costumers, digital effects technicians, set-builders and more.