Compensation for expert witnesses varies widely, depending on the nature of their contribution to a case, the amount of time and effort involved, and various other factors. Expert witnesses are typically compensated on an hourly basis but are sometimes paid an overall fee instead if the work is performed on a “per project” basis. Expert witnesses might also be compensated for research time, costs, and other expenses involved in providing their opinion.
For example, an expert witness might be paid $400 per hour for research and testimony, in addition to having their travel and lodging expenses reimbursed. Or they might be paid a lump sum of $10,000 for all work involved in the development of their expert opinion on a specific case. Again, costs can vary widely and depend on individual circumstances.