The Expert Witness Testimony online course offers education to members regarding fundamentals of the U.S. legal system, frequently litigated areas of neurosurgical practice, the expectations of the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) and high-risk areas of expert testimony identified by the PCC. 

	Christopher Taylor , MD
Reviewers	James R. Bean, MD Alex Michael, MD

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe U.S. civil courts and fundamentals of tort law. Contrast medical opinions and decision making with legal opinions and decision making.
• Define medical expert, duty, standard of care, causation, damages, authoritative, reasonable medical probability, and other legal terms of art.
• Identify frequently litigated areas of neurosurgical practice and review the science including pedicle screw placement, cauda equina syndrome, wrong site surgery, diagnosis of SAH, etc.
• Describe the Professional Conduct Committee of the AANS including its basis, history, expectations, actions, and “high-risk” areas for AANS members who provide expert witness testimony