HB 1991 -- Expert Witnesses

Sponsor:  Pratt

This bill establishes qualifications for expert witnesses in
cases involving medical malpractice claims.  To serve as an
expert witness, a person must be a licensed physician certified
by the American Board of Medical Specialities or the American
Board of Osteopathic Specialties in an area directly related to
the claim.  The witness must also, within one year of the date of
the alleged occurrence, be actively engaged in the clinical
practice of medicine with at least three-fourths of his or her
time dedicated to the same or substantially similar specialty as
the defendant.  Any physician licensed in another state who
testifies as an expert witness in Missouri will be deemed to have
a temporary license for the practice of medicine in this state.

The bill also makes evidence inadmissable if it has been obtained
under an agreement with a third party who receives a contingency
fee for providing, locating, or arranging for a medical expert
witness.  It will be considered unprofessional conduct for any
expert to provide medical testimony on a contingency fee basis or
testimony that the expert knows is false, fraudulent, or
misleading.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:45 am