Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery since 1987 ,In practice since 1985. University clinical appointment.
Areas of medical legal expertise have included Breast Surgery and Breast Implant cases, wound care issues, personal injury, scars and deformity.

Abdominoplasty and other body contouring litigation including brachioplasty, liposuction.
Facial cosmetic surgery problems including complications of blepahoplasty, facelifts,

Some plaintiff work. Mostly defense.

CODE OF ETHICS OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS®

2 The advice involves the use by the member of undue influence, coercion, duress, harassment, intimidation, unwarranted promises of benefits, over-persuasion, overreaching, or pressure for immediate response.
3. The member has been given notice that the individual non-patient does not want to receive communication from the member.
IV. Expert Testimony (11/96)
It is in the public interest that medical expert testimony be readily available, objective and unbiased. Members have an obligation to testify as expert witnesses when appropriate. However, members may not accept compensation contingent upon the outcome of the litigation. Members whose testimony, including testimony as to credentials or qualifications, is false, deceptive, or misleading may be subject to disciplinary action, including expulsion. Further to help limit false, deceptive and/or misleading testimony, members serving as expert witnesses must:
1. Have recent and substantive experience in the area in which they testify, including, without limitation, experience in the relevant subspecialty or the particular procedure performed on the plaintiff;
2. Thoroughly review the medical facts and testify to their content fairly, honestly and impartially,
3. Be familiar with the standards of practice prevailing at the time of the occurrence,
4. Provide evidence-based testimony regarding the standard of care, citing peer-reviewed plastic surgery literature where possible and identifying personal opinion as such;
5. Demonstrate (or be prepared to demonstrate) a causal relationship between an alleged substandard practice and a medical outcome;
6. Neither condemn performance that clearly falls within the standard of care in the community nor endorse or condone performance that clearly falls outside of such standard of care; and
7. Not testify that a maloccurence is malpractice.
V. Conflicts of Interest
A physician’s clinical judgment and practice must not be affected by economic interest in, commitment to, or benefit from professionally related commercial enterprises or other actual or potential conflicts of interest. Disclosure of professionally-related commercial interests and any other interests that may influence clinical decision-making is required in communications to patients, the public, and colleagues. When a physician’s interest conflicts so greatly with the patient’s interest as to be incompatible, the physician should make alternative arrangements for the care of the patient.
In the context of physician ownership interest in a commercial venture, the physician has an obligation to disclose the ownership interest to the patient or referring colleagues prior to utilization;

Background

Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:
A: See CV

Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: See CV

Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: See CV

Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: NO

Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: approximately 100 cases in the last 15 years

Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: Breast Augmentation, Implant Complications, Breast Reduction
Abdominoplasty, Brachioplasty
Burn Injury
Personal Injury; Scars
Blepharoplasty

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 10%

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 90%

Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: approximately 10

Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: one year ago

Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: 3

Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: 3 in court
once before an arbitrator

Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Approximately 15 years

Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Medical exam
Consulting: medical legal opinion
Medical Expert
Case evaluation
Client/patient surgical treatment, reconstruction, revision, correction

Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: $540.00

Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?
A: $540.00

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?
A: 4 hours $3000.00

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?
A: one-half day $5000.00

Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: Travel, parking, copy fees and other out of pocket expenses reimbursable

References

Sheila Alexander
Schmid & Voiles
333 City Blvd West
Orange, California 92868-2924
(714)940 5594
salexander@schmidvoiles.com

Raymond J. McMahon
Bonne Bridges Mueller O'Keefe & Nichols
1750 E. Fourth St
Santa Ana, Ca 92705
(714) 835 1157
bonnebridges.com

Others:
Tuverson, Hillyard
Reback, McAndrews and Kjar

more available on request

Publications