The Efficacy of Professional Clinical Judgment: Developing Expert Testimony in Cases Involving Vocational Rehabilitation and Care Planning Issues

The Daubert and Kumho rulings issued by the U.S. Supreme Court have generated a great deal of discussion and concern regarding the admissibility of testimony by experts in state and federal courts. This paper reviews these and related rulings in light of the rehabilitation profession, and evaluates the impact of the rulings on actual case studies, including testimony and opinion of experts. An emphasis is made for the development of relevant and reliable opinion based on professional clinical judgment as a valid approach to developing and presenting testimony. Guidelines are suggested for the development of such testimony.