Expert Witness Blog
In When the Phone Rings … Twelve Questions for Prospective Expert Witness Assignments, insurance bad faith expert witness Kevin M. Quinley, CPCU, ARM, AIC, writes:
(8) Is this a rebuttal report? Has the other side disclosed its experts? If you are being asked to provide a rebuttal report, odds are that there is already an opposing expert who has weighed in on the issue for which your view is being sought. There may be situations that present not an outright conflict, but a potentially awkward situation. If the opposing expert is a good friend, business colleague, mentor, etc., you may be uncomfortable in opposing him or her. You may want to know the identity of the opposing expert before agreeing to take the case. Maybe the person has some business tie to you. Maybe she is a friend or mentor. Perhaps he is an industry guru whom you do not feel comfortable contradicting. Maybe he is a buffoon and you relish the chance to go head-to-head. It’s best to know up front before saying yes or no to the engagement.
Kevin M. Quinley is a leading authority on insurance issues, including risk management, claims, bad faith, coverages and litigation management. He is the author of more than 600 articles and 10 books. You can reach him through http://www.insuranceexpertnetwork.com/.