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Don_Parrish's avatar
Don_Parrish
Explorer
Oct 01, 2015

Expertise and Experience Not So Much RV

Although this is not about RV's and motorcoaches, I ask here because of the diversity and knowledge of the members of this forum. I have been ask to provide expert testimony in a trial as an experienced aviator. Oddly enough there is the expectation that I should charge a fee. The only aviator whom I have known has done this is no longer living. So I ask here if anyone with a professional or skilled background has done this sort of thing and what fee did you charge? Given that we are talking finances which may be personal, I would hope perhaps to receive a PM to answer my request. Curious to know your area of expertise and a daily fee. My understanding things of this nature are not small numbers. Thank you, Don Parrish
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  • Pass42's avatar
    Pass42
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2015
    Don - A good friend of mine is an engineer who provides expert witness testimony at trial...
    contact me jdsalesmgr@aol.com ... I'll give you the info

    Doug
  • Naio's avatar
    Naio
    Explorer II
    Oct 01, 2015
    Oy, vey, Pass42, don't post your email address in a forum! You will get spam for decades. Delete that, and send it to him in a PM.
  • J-Rooster's avatar
    J-Rooster
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2015
    Don, I failed to mention my best friend is a criminal attorney in Tacoma Washington State.
  • ky-auctioneer's avatar
    ky-auctioneer
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2015
    I used to do a lot of antique auctions and appraisals. I have been an expert witness in a few court cases - mainly divorces and bankruptcy cases. You can spend a lot of time outside the courtroom waiting to testify. Set your fee high enough to make it worthwhile. What would you normally make for a days work? Double it. bump it up some more if you have to pay for parking near the courthouse. Make sure you get a signed contract. You get paid whether they call you in or not.
  • 427435's avatar
    427435
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2015
    Fees for expert witness work generally range from $200-$400 an hour outside of court and $400-600 when testifying in court or at a deposition. Plus any expenses.

    You may want to set up an LLC to run the money through------------while not very likely, an expert witness can get sued.
  • JALLEN4's avatar
    JALLEN4
    Explorer
    Oct 01, 2015
    I have testified as a retail automotive expert in the past and charged $200 an hour plus expenses.
  • Skid_Row_Joe's avatar
    Skid_Row_Joe
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2015
    Don Parrish wrote:
    Although this is not about RV's and motorcoaches, I ask here because of the diversity and knowledge of the members of this forum. I have been ask to provide expert testimony in a trial as an experienced aviator. Oddly enough there is the expectation that I should charge a fee. The only aviator whom I have known has done this is no longer living. So I ask here if anyone with a professional or skilled background has done this sort of thing and what fee did you charge? Given that we are talking finances which may be personal, I would hope perhaps to receive a PM to answer my request. Curious to know your area of expertise and a daily fee. My understanding things of this nature are not small numbers. Thank you, Don Parrish
    You'll want to be certain of your various licenses and certifications, as well as having a healthy liability insurance policy as an expert in any field. An LLC may be wise to have, versus in your personal name as per the liability that your testimony may put you in. 25 years ago I carried a 1/2 million dollar liability policy on my expert business services. Very important. $200.00 an hour plus expenses is reasonable, IMO.

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