Asbestos litigation can present challenges that distinguish it from many other practice areas. Cases can involve dozens of defendants, multiple law firms, extensive medical records, experts and deponents located throughout the country. Often, depositions must be completed on an expedited basis due to deponent health concerns. For all these reasons, efficient communication between counsel and the court reporting agency is critical.
In addition to the notice, additional details are very important. Details such as deposition duration, participant information, video/interpreter requirements and realtime/expedite needs all assist the reporting agency in assigning the most qualified resources. Providing case materials and relevant background information beforehand helps reporters prepare for the technical requirements inherent in asbestos cases. In these types of cases, continuity is especially important. So, if possible, utilizing the same agency or reporting team across multiple depositions will improve transcript quality and consistency.
Early scheduling is key. Sharing tentative dates – even when not yet confirmed – allows scheduling teams to reserve qualified resources and avoid the risk of having to scramble at the last minute. Remote and hybrid depositions continue to play a significant role in asbestos litigation. As such, counsel will need to accurately communicate hosting responsibilities, attendee lists, exhibit management requirements, etc.
By treating deposition scheduling as a collaborative process, court reporting agencies and law firms can work together to improve efficiency, reduce costs and ensure the record is preserved accurately – because every deposition matters.
