Q: I have a video deposition. I need to know how to prepare and chare A: All depositions .. no exceptions .. are taken in my office. I choose an off-time and have them come there. I did two video depositions in the past and they usually place you against a wall and only view you from the desk up. Your office will do quite well. I would charge between $300-400 an hour .. so say $350. You tell the attorney requesting the deposition that customarily you receive the check prior to the deposition. It matters not whether it takes 1 or 60 minutes the first hour or any portion thereof it is still $350. Also let them know that additional time is charged after the first hour at a prorated fee of $350 for the next hour or any portion thereof .. in other words after 10 additional minutes I will break down 60 minutes by $350 and this is added on. As far as preparation I recommend you search for my Smart Start Book and look at Chapter 8 which is about PI. If I were you I would gather all the office notes and files concerning this patient. Be prepared to describe clearly the mechanics of the injury and the collision so the jury can understand what took place. Next step what the patient did .. did they go to the hospital or their PCP right away pr was it by ambulance etc. How did they immediately feel and also during the rest of the day and following days. Gather all this information if you have it. Chart down the number of visits the patient saw you and the first and last date and the total fee .. have this information handy even on a sticky note somewhere. Have a curriculum vitae available .. if you have none let me know and I will e-mail you what I use and just delete what is not appropriate and add the rest. Prior to the deposition I offer it to both attorneys and have one handy for myself. Be prepared to discuss each office visit in terms of what you did .. not so much the specific adjustment but that an adjustment was rendered to this area or that and why .. they love the word spasm or trigger points. Don't get too graphic describing an adjustment but be sure you use the words conservative or gentle. If you have exams and they have data on it in terms of ROM etc be prepared to discuss each test you did and what it defines and why you did it. As far as x-rays I have never shown them or discussed them in all my depositions or court appearances. If they are crystal clear and you want to bring up structural stress be prepared to also discuss pre- existence as these x-rays did not change within a short time frame the patient had the accident so the instability prior to. If pre-existence does come up .. especially if there is DJD in the x-rays of the cervicals or lumbars and they ask if this could be caused by the accident or really why the patient has been hurting not from the accident your answer should be that based on what the patient told me (history you took) they did not have a problem prior to the accident or as severe or chronic but in reality the accident will only cause further instability and possible future irritation. As far as the game being played your patient's attorney should be on your side not complicating the issues but may come back later and ask for clarification as your answers should always .. especially to the other side be short and sweet. Remember the more clarification or science you wish to add the more you have to explain and possibly be open for questions best not asked. A deposition starts with you spending special time with your patient's attorney called pre- deposition meeting. When the first attorney shows up just ask if they represent your patient if they do go somewhere private and they will ask you questions. Let them know where potential weaknesses are such as treatment dates that were sporadic which shows that the patient was not serious or if the x-rays suck etc. Ask to see their qualifying questions and be prepared if the attorney asks if you are a medical doctor or a member of the AMA or on staff at a hospital. The answers for these are always NO .. with no explanation unless they ask and your answer is for the AMA you never joined and for the hospital you never requested the position but there are some chiropractors that are. As far as your training the curriculum vitae should be sufficient and at times I read every class and hour. Never compare your services or training with a MD this is not the forum but our only comparison is in taking a detailed history. The examination treatments differ and explain the purpose why. If they ask why didn't you send the patient to an orthopedist or to a MD for medication you tell them they requested specific chiropractic care and if you felt it necessary you would have referred them. If you had discuss dates and why and what took place. If they ask you to describe chiropractic do what you want but I make it short and sweet .. it compares structure with function with a focus on spinal nerves and adjoining extremities including muscles and ligaments. Be prepared to decribe a muscle and ligaments and spams and why the body has them and possibly the natural healing process. If you have my PI book it is a gold mine of this information. Be prepared to compare the difference between subjective and objective tests .. we look for objective without the help of the patient and they tell us their subjective complaints. In terms of exams all our findings are objective including palpation and ROM also know the difference between passive and active motion. The rest .. go with the flow. A trick is to switch your feeling that when you are cross examined by the insurance company attorney you feel as if it is your patient's attorney and relax. Have fun .. I hope this helps