United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I am nervous....... just heard from our lawyer that they are ready to hear our side of what happened. I have been crying all morning long. Any advice from those that have been here before????????

First thing:
BREATHE! I'm not kidding. You have to take the time to breathe. This is not an easy thing to do and you need all the oxygen to your brain.

They can ask pretty much anything they want to. There is no judge, just a stenographer. It is up to your lawyer to help you if things seem to get out of control.

You can stop as often as you like. Just tell your lawyer that you need a break. You are not supposed to have "notes", though if you do, they will be entered into the record (my husband was so nervous that he wrote down birthdays and surgery dates!!).

They will ask you the same question 3 different ways to see if you will answer it the same way. Some of their questions will really cross the line of good taste (my person favorite: how did you feel about your daughter when you found out she was damaged?...it took all of my self control to just answer that one and not reach across the table and throttle the slimy little idiot. My lawyer called for the break after that one!).

Take your time answering and ask them to repeat the question if you don't understand what they are asking.

Keep your answers as short as possible, DO NOT ELABORATE ON ANY ANSWER. Do not give them any info they have not specifically asked for. Make them work for it. There were questions I was asked, that seemed nonsensical, yet there were questions that I thought would be really important that were never even approached.

They try to unnerve you. And wear you down. They can't. You are right and their doctor is wrong. Simple. Keep that in your mind the whole time.

Oh, and don't be surprized if they cancel at the last minute.

Good luck, eat a healthy breakfast, and answer honestly.

claudia

Thank you.
Your info is appreciated and will be a great help.
Thank you!

Dillon's Mom,
Please keep us posted. We all learn from each other.Please take care of YOURSELF, mom.
Hugs,
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI

Hi there! I hope that all goes well for you with your deposition...it is REALLY tough, I will tell you that...it is reliving the incident all over again...they asked me things that I NEVER in a million years would place relevance on...where I worked, for how long, why I left, ridiculous things! But keep your chin up and know that you are doing this for your child, that always helped me...you will make it through it and it is good prep for being in court...Good luck!