Description
I am a physician (M.D.) who is Board Certified in Anesthesiology, Pain Medicine, and Addiction Medicine. As a consultant in forensic/legal cases, my main area of focus involves the clinical toxicology of prescription medications, recreational drugs and substances of abuse, marijuana/cannabis, and alcohol. My training and education include the interpretation of clinical and forensic toxicology test results in multiple matrices, including blood, urine, serum, hair, and nails. In addition, my training and education include safe opioid prescribing procedures, interpretation of prescribing records, assessment of patient responses to prescribed opioids, and overdose prevention education and practices. Unlike non-physicians who review toxicology test results in forensic cases, as a clinician I am able to read, interpret, and testify on the contents of medical records. I understand that the presence of a positive test result does not necessarily constitute the presence of impairment or observable effects from the substance(s) detected, nor does it indicate a diagnosis of substance use disorder. Impairment includes the physical and behavioral effects of the substance(s) in the context of use and in consideration of other potentially confounding medical conditions. Interpretation of these complex cases requires the consideration of the specifics of each case, supported by generally accepted medical and scientific knowledge. I also have an unusual background in the education of nutritional coaches who work with strength and physiques athletes, and understand legal and illegal supplement use and the limits of coaching practice. I work with attorneys representing both plaintiffs and defendants, in both criminal and civil matters. My focus is on providing an objective, thorough, and detail-oriented review of materials with careful analysis of the findings in order to help attorneys make decisions about how they wish to proceed with their cases. This analytic process forms the basis for any written reports that I may author and, for cases in which I provide a written report, the majority do reach a resolution short of trial testimony. I do provide testimony in cases where it is indicated and agreed upon, and focus on clear explanations that are similar to the process of patient education. I also provide extensive consultation services including assessment of cases prior to filing, attorney question preparation prior to interview or deposition, and cross examination questions at trial.
