Tell a story.....that's what seasoned trial attorneys do in explaining the facts of their case to a jury. And second only to the theme of the case, the story line, chronology or sequence of events is the foundation for a clear understanding of the anatomy of the lawsuit.

In medical malpractice cases the sequence of events is often the key to the liability. A timeline will allow the jury to clearly visualize the presence or in many cases the absence of key players in attending to a patient's needs in a timely manner. Timelines can illustrate more graphically than words the span of time showing the concentration of treatment, or conversely, the lack of treatment over long periods.

In product cases, timelines are used to illustrate the process by which a machine or device came to be developed, or in some cases, how a machine came to be used in a particular situation.

Timelines in commercial cases trace the sequence of events of business transactions, and through color and design, graphically allow the fact-finder to sort out what would otherwise be a most confusing jumble of information.

Another use for timelines in many cases is that they provide an "outline" of the case for the attorney to follow during opening statements. One of the purposes of the opening is to organize the case for the jury,and timelines allow the trial lawyer to have visual support that he can "lean on" and be assured the jury will absorb the essence of the case.

In creating a timeline, the trial attorney is urged to first list the key timepoints in the case. We then suggest he or she actually stand up next to an easel with a blank piece of paper or foamboard. Start to practice your opening, and as you find yourself starting to turn towards your "exhibit," make a note of the issue or fact, then keep going. As you continue to do this, you will find your timeline developing, becoming an exhibit that will serve you well at trial. From this information, we will design the timeline to assure that it communicates what YOU want the judge or jury to understand about the issues and facts of your case. For many timelines, you will want the client to assist in the preparation so that the exhibit can be used as a testimony aid during this phase of the trial.

Timeline exhibits are generally mounted on 1/2" foamboard and laminated and framed for protection. Panels can be hinged or bolted together for ease of transportation and assembly in court. (Be sure to measure the courtroom, if you can, before the trial. We once made a 30 ft. exhibit on a case that didn't fit into the courtroom. Fortunately, the key witness changed her testimony before trial, allowing us to delete one 5 ft. segment!)