Dear List,
My posted question was: “Does anyone have any insight as to what a typical
‘professional witness fee’
should be for a CPO with 20 years experience?
I received 10 responses. The low was $120/hr and the high was $600/hr. The
average of all 10 responses was $272/hr. The most helpful response
follows…
Testifying for your patient is less clear cut, in that you balance
maintaining good client relations versus viewing the event purely as an
income source. $300 per hour in not unreasonable for time in your office.
If you must travel then you add actual cost of travel to total time spent
(both the travel time and deposition time both at same rate). For a trial
you charge per day, as you can’t say when you’ll be called, in addition to
travel.
Keep good notes (record the session if possible) of what you testify to, and
get transcripts of testimony. Do not put this info in the patient’s file.
You should have a file that is yours, not the patient’s, to contain all
information you develop.
Travel is considered for both the time and expense incurred. If you have to
drive one hour each way and then spend two hours testifying you charge for 4
(four) hours ($300 X 4 =1200) plus the actual cost of travel. For
example, sixty miles each way, parking $15, tolls $9. Using a rate of $0.35
per mile, ( (120mi X $0.35) + $15 + $9 =116. Total charge $1316. Often
I’ll use a car service, that way I don’t have to figure mileage etc, just
record what I pay for the service. Added benefit you can work on reports
while someone else drives.
If called in by the defendant you can charge a different rate. Here you are
viewing the function as a income source.
Your patient’s attorney may also want your input for trial prep, again this
should be a billable action.
Make sure you have a current CV before deposition or trial.
