can lawyer ask me what insirane i have in a deposition

by Ms. Noemy Rodriguez 5 min read

The short answer is that this is the 'discovery' process. Even though some questions may seem off the wall and unrelated to your claims, the defense lawyer is entitled to ask and is entitled to get an answer. He may not be able to ask that same question at trial, but during a deposition, it may be fair game.

Full Answer

Do I need a lawyer for a deposition?

During a deposition of the treating doctor, the insurance defense lawyer on cross-examination will review the history and physical doctor notes, and go painstakingly through every detail. The lawyer will try and be clever, however, as they will only pick out the tests, body parts, diagnostic studies and any comments that are helpful to their ...

Can I direct you not to answer that question in deposition?

In addition, attorneys on both sides will often agree to keep deposition objections to a minimum to make the process go more smoothly. This does not mean that the deposing attorney can ask you any questions he wants and you must answer; it means that both attorneys have agreed to keep the line of questioning relevant and to the point.

What is a deposition in court?

Nov 22, 2013 · Of course! Due process under the Constitution entitles you to have your own attorney present at your deposition. The court rules also permit your attorney to object to improper questions. Once you hire a lawyer, the opposing party, its lawyers, and its insurance companies can never – never ever – speak to you without your attorney present.

Who is allowed to be present at a deposition?

The “Always Ask” block of eight deposition questions. The following is a block of eight questions you should always ask at a deposition of an adverse or independent witness. The witness’s answers may be startling to you and damaging to your opponent. We call this the “Always Ask” block, and suggest you keep a copy in the notebook that ...

What should you not say in a deposition?

8 Things Not Say During a DepositionNever Guess to Answer a Question.Avoid Any Absolute Statements.Do Not Use Profanity.Do Not Provide Additional Information.Avoid Making Light of the Situation.Never Paraphrase a Conversation.Do Not Argue or Act Aggressively.Avoid Providing Privileged Information.May 19, 2020

Can personal questions be asked in a deposition?

What Should I Do If I Object to a Personal Question During the Deposition? The deposing attorney can ask any question he or she likes, but you do not necessarily have to answer them. If you believe that the attorney has asked an irrelevant question, you can object to the question, or ask your attorney how to proceed.

What kind of questions do they ask you at a deposition?

They are used to gather pretrial information, specifically to discover what a witness may know and to preserve that testimony for later use in court....Basic Background QuestionsWhat is your full name?Have you ever used any other names? ... Do you have any nicknames? ... What is your date of birth? ... What is your age?More items...•Mar 22, 2017

How do you handle yourself in a deposition?

What follows are numerous points or rules to keep in mind throughout the deposition.Tell the truth. ... Think before you speak. ... Answer the question. ... Do not volunteer information. ... Do not answer a question you do not understand. ... Talk in full, complete sentences. ... You only know what you have seen or heard. ... Do not guess.More items...

Can you plead the 5th in a deposition?

Yes, you can plead the fifth in a civil trial or deposition. But, whether you should or should not do so is often an issue that requires you to waive certain risks and benefits. If you refuse to testify in a civil matter, there can be adverse consequences for the case.

Are depositions scary?

The truth of the matter is that depositions are not nearly as scary as you might think. While depositions can be awkward and there might be some difficult questions for you to answer, if you have a good lawyer preparing you for the deposition, you will be fine.

How do you answer questions in a deposition?

How to Answer Questions in a Deposition: 5 Ways to AnswerAlways Tell the Truth. ... Listen to the Question in Detail. ... Dissect Any Compound Questions. ... Stand Up for Yourself During Questioning. ... Take Your Time Answering Deposition Questions. ... Admit to Mistakes or Inconsistencies in Your Answers.Feb 21, 2020

What happens after a deposition?

After the conclusion of the deposition, both sides of the case will continue with the discovery phase. Discovery is an important part of a lawsuit. During discovery, the plaintiff and defendant's attorneys can communicate back and forth to swap information and evidence.Mar 9, 2021

What are examples of deposition?

The most typical example of deposition would be frost. Frost is the deposition of water vapour from humid air or air containing water vapour on to a solid surface. Solid frost is formed when a surface, for example a leaf, is at a temperature lower than the freezing point of water and the surrounding air is humid.

Is deposition a chemical?

In chemistry, deposition occurs when molecules settle out of a solution. Deposition can be viewed as a reverse process to dissolution or particle re-entrainment. It is a phase change from the gaseous state to a solid, without passing through the liquid state, also called re-sublimation.

How do you prepare for a deposition?

Deposition TipsBe prepared. ... Think before answering. ... Never volunteer information. ... Make sure you understand the question. ... You must tell the truth. ... Don't get rattled or upset. ... Don't guess. ... If you do not remember, say so.More items...

How do I prepare for deposed?

Below are the top 5 rules to guide you during a deposition:Listen to the question. ... Be sure you understand the question. ... Think about the answer. ... Express the answer in the shortest and clearest manner possible. ... Tell the truth.Sep 30, 2020

Why do depositions occur in occupational medicine?

Sometimes a work-comp case requires a doctor’s testimony. Workers’ compensation courts prefer that this testimony be given in the form of a deposition. All this means is that an attorney asks a doctor a series of questions.

How to make time for depositions

Depositions can take place outside of business hours and on the weekend, which should free up your calendar. When I’ve been called in for depositions, I try to reschedule them for the evenings. This way I can still see my patients during the day.

Learn More

To learn more about depositions, check out our video on Understanding Depositions.

Can a deposing attorney use your words against you?

Beware of any question that requires a long answer. Deposing attorneys can always use your words against you, and you may not fully consider your word choices when giving your opinion.

Is the legal world tense?

The real legal world is rarely as tense an active as courtroom dramas would have you believe. For example, your attorney is bound by the law when objecting to questions: he may only interrupt if the question is irrelevant or improper. If the answer hurts your case, but is relevant, there is legally nothing he can do.

What to say when you don't remember something?

If you don’t remember something, your answer should be “I don’t remember.”. If you are asked the question you don’t know the answer to, your answer should be “I don’t know.”. You should also listen to the question very carefully, make sure you understand it, and answer only the question that was answered.

What do they need to know before trial?

First, it is their only chance to meet you, size you up, and ask you questions before trial. Second, they need to find out what information you know and hear your version of events. They also need to know how badly you were injured.

Why do expert witnesses need specific information?

Often, those expert witnesses need specific information from you in order to give their opinions. Fifth, it gives the opposing attorney a chance to see what kind of witness you will be and whether they can rattle you at trial or upset you.

Is it "giving an affidavit" or "giving a statement"?

The phrase “giving an affidavit” or a declaration or statement is accurate. A deposition, on the other hand, is where you appear in front of the opposing attorney and answer a series of questions under oath before a court reporter. The correct term is “having your deposition taken” or “being deposed.”.

What is a deposition in court?

Depositions are unique to American litigation and usually the most powerful way to develop evidence. It allows a party to examine witnesses…including the opposing party…under oath and any alteration of testimony at trial may be pointed out to the judge and jury. Often witnesses in a deposition, exhausted or intimidated by many hours of questioning, make errors that hurt their cases. See our various articles on depositions for a full description of this powerful litigation tool.

What happens if a nonparty shows up at a deposition?

If a nonparty shows up at the deposition and is not wanted by a party or attorney, can he or she be refused admittance.

Can counsel wish to attend a deposition?

There may be strategic reasons for counsel to wish other people attend the deposition aside from the witness, the court reporter and the opposing counsel. This article examines who is legally allowed to attend depositions.

Who can attend a deposition?

As a practical matter, the only people present at most depositions are the examiner, the deponent, deponent’s counsel, other parties’ counsel, the court reporter, a videographer, and an interpreter, if necessary.

What is the legal standard for deposition inquiries?

The legal standard for deposition inquiries is that the question must be "reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of evidence admissible at time of trial". This is a much broader standard.

Can you refuse to answer questions at a deposition?

Discovery has a much broader scope. While you can object on relevance grounds, you normally cannot refuse to answer unless it involves a privilege or a constitutional right...

Jonathan Robert Ratchik

Generally, no, as a defendant, you are not entitled to be paid for your time spent at a deposition. That is for witnesses. More importantly, if you are sued and had an auto insurance policy that was in force at the time of the accident, your insurance company will indemnify and defend you...

Nicholas Charles McGowan

I believe you need a California attorney to assist you with such a case; not because you may be liable but, because your story sound like someone is attempting to defraud you. He or she is aware that you will not have the time to attend to such a case. However, to answer your questions:...

Macauley Isioma Ekpenisi

Did the plaintiff file in Small Claims or is the amount just small? If the plaintiff has an attorney, I'd contact him/her and make sure they know they sued the wrong person. You will want to ask a California attorney, but usually deposition costs are not recoupable by a party to a lawsuit. As a defendant, you are a party.

Elizabeth E Welch

Simply contact your automobile liability insurance carrier and advise them of this claim. Let them handle this for you. This is why you are required to pay a premium. Let your carrier earn their money