Tips and Tricks for Remote Dispositions

For many people, connecting with others using Zoom or other video conferencing software has become the new normal. While in-person depositions have some advantages, remote depositions are becoming increasingly common during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dealing with a remote deposition can involve a different planning strategy than dealing with an in-person deposition.

Here at Fitch & Stahle Law Office, our personal injury attorney has some tips and tricks that can help you adapt to the new normal of remote depositions.

What is a Deposition?

Before going into tips and tricks, it is important to know exactly what we mean by deposition. Put simply, a deposition involves a witness being asked questions about a case. The deposition has two purposes:

• Find out what the witness knows
• Preserve that witness’s testimony

At a deposition, all parties are to learn of all the facts before the trial begins so that nobody is surprised when a witness is put on the stand.

Who Should Be at the Deposition?

Because the primary purpose of a deposition is to gather information for the case, there will not be a lot of people present. Typically, the only people present are:

• The deponent
• A personal injury lawyer or another type of lawyer
• A person qualified to administer oaths

Sometimes depositions are recorded by a stenographer, though nowadays, electronic records are more common.

Remote Deposition Tips

The majority of depositions are now being handled remotely. To ensure that you are prepared for your deposition, follow these tips and tricks.

Plan and Prepare

Before your remote deposition, you’ll want to make sure that your home office is ready to handle it. Logistically, you should ensure that you have a stable Internet connection and a working microphone. Double-check the background that’s visible behind you. Items such as family photos, clocks, or artwork can be distracting. Similarly, make sure that members of your household do not enter the room while the deposition is taking place.

Use an Experienced Court Reporter

The court reporter, or videographer, in this case, should serve as the host of the remote deposition. They should be experienced in serving as the appointed officer in a remote setting. Here are some things that the court reporter needs to do before the hearing:

• Be prepared with a stipulation to swear in the witness remotely
• Be ready to handle documents electronically
• Have the ability to scroll through pages on screen and add markups as instructed by counsel
• Test out the Zoom platform before the deposition takes place to make sure that the platform is compatible with your computer

Siouxland Personal Injury Attorney

The attorneys here at Fitch & Stahle Law Office understand the importance of being able to adapt to the current environment. Whether you have suffered a personal injury due to an automobile accident, an animal bite, catastrophic injury, or boating accident, we aim to get you the compensation that you deserve, whether your hearing is remote or in person.

For professional personal injury representation, contact us at 402-494-3012 today.