Jury instructions regarding expert witnesses in Vermont are outlined in Vermont Civil Jury Instructions § G. Vt. Civil Jury Instr. § G (2008). This rule instructs the jury that individuals with “special knowledge, training, or experience” are experts and they are permitted to testify as to their opinion on the case at hand. Id. The jury is told to consider an expert’s opinion the same way that it considers testimony from all other witnesses. Id. When doing so, the jury should determine how much weight and credibility it feels the expert’s testimony warrants. Id. Additionally, the jury should “evaluate whether the opinion is based on the facts provided at trial and supported by their knowledge, training, or experience.” Id.
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