Using Video to Advance Litigation
Legal video takes on many forms. From depositions to “Day in the Life” videos, many lawyers are already familiar with the concept of utilizing videographers for different aspects of their cases. But not many lawyers are familiar enough to shoot, edit and produce videos for their cases as they would draft a legal brief or demand letter. This may seem overboard, but if you knew it could make a triple figure difference in the outcome of your case, you’d probably want to know more.
Legal videos, or what we refer to as “micro-documentaries,” can be a powerful tool in your litigation arsenal. We’ve used them effectively in our practice for over ten years. Because of the impact they have had to the bottom line of many of our cases, we always consider a video documentary when developing our case strategy.
What is the Difference between a “Day in the Life” Video and a Legal Micro-Documentary?
You may already have experience with producing “Day in the Life” videos. For the right case, these videos can effectively demonstrate damages. Micro-documentaries, however, can take your case much further in the negotiation process, especially when integrated into an overall case strategy.
A Day in the Life video focuses on the daily impact a client’s injury has had on his or her life. When a client has suffered a catastrophic injury, it can be a powerful way to demonstrate the extent to which he or she has been disabled, the burden the injury has placed upon family members, and the pressing need your client may have for caregivers and medical accommodations.
A Legal Micro-Documentary, on the other hand, can provide more value for cases in which a client’s injury is more nuanced, or when the damages are not obvious or visible. By interviewing family and friends as witnesses, integrating before and after imagery, and editing the video into a 10-minute or less “micro” documentary, you can show the opposing side a powerful version of the story jurors will see and hear if the case were to advance to trial. While these documentaries are not typically allowed in court proceedings, they can be used effectively in the negotiation process.
One reason lawyers may overlook the use of video is due to cost, as legal video producers often charge high sums for their work. Another reason may be that they have not fully developed the story behind their case, and so they do not see a use for video to maximize that story’s impact. In our experience, the work we have put into refining a process for producing legal video documentaries has been well worth the effort. They have consistently made a noteworthy difference.
A Micro-Documentary Can Maximize the Outcome of Your Next Case
The key to creating an effective legal micro-documentary is knowing the story you want to tell. This requires the lawyer to be actively engaged in the process. Do not expect a legal video provider to automatically understand the nuances of your case and shoot accordingly. We have found these videos to be most effective when created in-house. And with today’s accessibility of prosumer level video technology, this can be done quite easily.
If you are new to using video for your cases, this is another area where CaseVision™ can help. We provide remote on-demand training modules, live remote training sessions, as well as custom solutions to help you create compelling micro-documentaries for your next case.
Call us today and let us know how we can help.