Behind the Work: Serving as an Expert Witness in Child Care Cases
Serving as an expert witness in child care cases is a role that requires objectivity, clarity, and a deep commitment to children’s safety. Attorneys often ask what this work looks like in practice and how an expert contributes to the legal process.
Here, I’m sharing how I approach expert witness work, what legal teams value most, and why this role is personally meaningful to me.
The Role of an Expert Witness
My responsibility as an expert witness is to bring specialized knowledge and objective analysis to the courtroom. I help judges, juries, and attorneys understand accepted standards of care, safety protocols, and best practices in child care.
This role is never about advocating for one side. Instead, it is about providing a clear, unbiased opinion based on training, expertise, and evidence.
How I Approach Each Case
When an attorney reaches out, I follow a systematic process designed to build a complete and objective understanding of the case:
Comprehensive Review – I begin by reviewing all relevant documentation such as licensing reports, incident narratives, medical records, and compliance history.
Analysis and Opinion – I analyze the information against child care standards and best practices, forming a clear professional opinion.
Consultation with Attorneys – I share preliminary findings with the legal team and address their key questions.
Formal Report – I prepare a detailed expert report outlining my background, findings, and rationale.
Testimony – When needed, I provide testimony through depositions or in court, explaining technical standards in a way that is accessible and clear.
The Types of Cases I Work On
Most cases I support involve incidents where a child’s health or safety was allegedly compromised in a licensed child care setting. This often includes:
Serious injuries sustained by a child in care
Concerns about supervision failures
Situations where a provider’s policies or staff actions placed a child at risk
In each case, I review the evidence alongside state and national standards to determine whether the provider met their duty of care.
What Attorneys Value Most
Attorneys I’ve worked with tell me they value several key qualities:
Credibility – Years of experience in child care give me the professional background to provide opinions that withstand scrutiny.
Objectivity – My role is to remain impartial, grounded only in facts and standards, regardless of which side retained me.
Communication – I translate complex regulations and child development practices into language that everyone in the courtroom can understand.
Consistency – I approach every case with the same level of preparation and thoroughness, giving attorneys confidence in my support.
The Challenges and Rewards
The most challenging aspect of this work is reviewing cases where a child has been injured. It can be emotional to read through those details. What keeps me grounded is my commitment to finding the truth and providing an accurate, unbiased assessment of the situation.
Ultimately, this work is rewarding because it allows me to protect children by holding child care providers to the highest standards. Whether clarifying that a provider exceeded expectations or identifying where care fell short, I know my role contributes to a safer future for children.
Why This Work Matters to Me
This work combines my passion for protecting children with my professional expertise. I believe in accountability, high standards, and the right of every child to be in a safe and nurturing environment.
Serving as an expert witness gives me the opportunity to make sure that truth, safety, and quality care are at the center of every case. For me, it is not only a professional role but also a personal mission.
