Patti Waller's article in the June, 2012 Journal of Environmental Health focuses on what environmental health professionals need to know about depositions in the event that they are required to appear and testify as a witness in a foodborne illness lawsuit.
What Is a Deposition? A deposition is part of the process of assembling evidence before trial in a lawsuit. It is called by an attorney for one of the parties to a lawsuit and takes place away from the courtroom. There are several reasons to depose you as a witness. A deposition allows attorneys to evaluate how you will do as a trial witness and establishes what your testimony will be.
Jeh6 12 Column Legal Briefs Depositions 101 (pdf)