Medical Record Review Expert Witnesses

Tobias A. Mattei, MD, is a Neurosurgeon specialized in Brain Surgery and Complex Spine / Deformity Surgery. Besides his work as a neurosurgeon, Dr. Mattei hold the academic title of Adjunct Professor at the Division of Neurosurgery of St. Louis University. He has been an active member of the North American Spine Society, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies, as well as many other international societies. 

Dr. Mattei is a member of the editorial board of The Spine Journal and Deputy Editor of the North American Spine Society Journal, the new open access initiative of the North American Spine Society. He is an active reviewer of several other neurosurgical journals including World Neurosurgery, Clinical Neurology & Neurosurgery, Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, Osteoarthritis & Cartilage, Journal of Engineering in Medicine: Part H, British Journal of Neurosurgery and Neurological Sciences.

As a researcher, Dr. Mattei has published more than 130 original research articles, having been cited more than 1400 times. He holds an unrestricted medical license in the states of Ohio, Missouri, New York, and Maine, and has never been submitted to any sanction or disciplinary action by any medical boards.

Litigation Support: Dr. Mattei provides expert witness services in the field of Spinal Injuries, Spine Surgery, Spinal Care, and Neurosurgery. He has provided expert review services for several scientific funding agencies in the U.S. (including the NIH Panel for Clinical Neurophysiology, Devices, Neuroprosthetics, and Biosensors) as well as abroad (including the Innovation and Technology Commission/ Hong Kong SAR Government and The Brain Tumor Charity - New Ideas Award/UK). 

Dr. Mattei's  litigation support services are available to attorneys for plaintiff and defense and include review of hospital records, medical reports, imaging results, operative reports, patient's evolution, depositions, and trial testimony.

Areas of Expertise:

Lumbar Disc Herniation Cervical Disc Herniation Spinal Stenosis Laminectomy Spinal Fusion Spinal Fracture Spinal Injuries

Kyphoplasty Vertebroplasty Artificial Disc Spinal Cord Injury Spinal Tumors Scoliosis Back pain

John M. Schuberth, DPM, has extensive experience in Complex Foot and Ankle Surgery. Throughout his 40 year career, he has performed over 25,000 surgical cases and over 1,500 ankle replacements. He has published extensively on a wide variety of subject involving foot and ankle surgery (128 publications) and lectured all over the world on Foot and Ankle surgery. Please refer to his most recent CV for details. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Schuberth provides expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defense. His services include medical record review, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed. He has been deposed/testified over 20 times since 2020.

Areas of Expertise:

Ankle Replacement Ankle Arthroplasty Total Ankle Replacement Surgical Complications Revision Surgery

Trauma Osteomyelitis Complex Reconstruction Failed Foot / Ankle Surgery Negligence / Medical Malpractice

Associations:

• Editor in Chief for the Journal of Foot and Surgery for 7 years and Editor in Chief of Foot and Ankle Specialist for 6 years
• Former Chair of Board- American Academy of Foot and Ankle Osteosynthesis
• Former Course Chair-AO Podiatric Course  
• Past President, American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons 1998-1999
• Board of Directors, ACFAS, 1992-2000
• Past Chair; Outcomes Research Committee, ACFAS
• Past Chair; Clinical Research; Research Fellowships, ACFAS        
• Past Chair, Preferred Practice Guidelines; Hallux Valgus
• Past Chair, Preferred Practice Guidelines; Ankle Sprain, Instability
• Former Member Ankle/Reconstructive Rearfoot Surgery Exam Committee
• American  Board Podiatric Surgery    1992-1996
• Former Chair, ABPS Ankle / Rearfoot Reconstructive Surgery. Exam Committee, 1996-2000
• Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, California College of Podiatric Medicine 1985-2003
• Licensing Commissioner, State of California 1986-1998
• Chief Examination Advisor, Board of Medical Quality Assurance 1986-1993
• Associate Faculty, San Francisco Orthopedic Residency Program
• Former Chair, Foot and Ankle Subgroup, National Product Comm-Kaiser
• Former Chair, Local Product Committee, Kaiser San Francisco
• Former Chair, Education Committee-American Academy Foot Ankle Osteosynthesis, 2013-2019
• Nine time awardee of Attending of the Year from several residency programs
• Board Certified American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery (1985, Current)

Shawn A. Hayden MD, PhD, MBA, President and CEO of ONTO Orthopedics, has over 25 years of experience as an Orthopedic Spine, Trauma and Sports Medicine Surgeon in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Dr. Hayden’s focus has always been in providing high-tech, high-quality care to his patients. For this reason, he is constantly training on some of the latest diagnostic and operative technologies. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Hayden assists medical doctors, scientists, lawyers and law firms with civil matters, malpractice cases, business guidance, and idea generation. His services include medical record review, thorough reporting of causation, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Orthopedic Surgery Spine Surgery Sports Medicine and Surgery Endoscopic Surgery Minimally Invasive Surgery Sports Injury Back Injury Neck Injury

Whiplash Sports Concussion Case Valuation Impairment Medical Devices Innovation Understanding EMR Vehicle Injury Evaluation

Dr. Hayden graduated from Harvard College. He received his medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School and his orthopedic training at the Harvard Combined Orthopedics Residency Program. Dr. Hayden is also fellowship trained in orthopedic trauma and spine surgery at The Massachusetts General Hospital and The Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Dr. Hayden is board certified in Orthopedic Surgery. 

Steven M. Simons, MD, FACP, FCCP, is board certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Diseases. Dr. Simons has been awarded the distinction of Fellowship in both of these disciplines, based on his national reputation, quality of care, teaching and publications. He continues to actively teach and is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the UCLA School of Medicine.

Litigation Support - Dr. Simons has over 25 years of experience as an expert witness, representing both defense and plaintiffs. He is proud of the fact that his meticulous case evaluations often disclose critical information that was not appreciated prior to his review. He is an articulate, highly credible witness and has successfully testified in many high profile cases.

Dr. Simons is highly experienced at conducting independent medical evaluations. He is an expert in quantitating the degree of impairment resulting from a variety of exposures and injuries; his reports are exemplary. Dr. Simons approaches the patient in a warm, unbiased manner. Perhaps the best evidence of this is the number of claimants who, following such an evaluation, requested that he become their physician despite the fact that his conclusions were not in their favor.

Areas of Expertise:

Lung Disease Lung Cancer Asthma Pulmonary Fibrosis Lung Cancer Pneumonia Bronchoscopy Mechanical Ventilation

Pleural Effusions Pulmonary Embolism Dyspnea Shortness of Breath Cough COPD Emphysema IMEs

View Dr. Simons' Consulting Profile.

William B. Stetson, MD is an Orthopedic Surgeon who specializes in Sports Medicine with an expertise in Arthroscopic and Reconstructive Surgery of the shoulder, knee, elbow and ankle. He is an Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Stetson spends over 90% of his time in clinical practice and research and has over ten years experience as an expert witness and in reviewing complex medical-legal issues. He is the Team Physician for the USA Men's and Women's Olympic Indoor Volleyball Teams and accompanied both teams to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England. He is a former athlete himself, a two time All-American volleyball player at the University of Southern California (USC). He is also a recipient of the NCAA's prestigious Silver Anniversary Award, given to former NCAA athletes who have gone on to distinguish themselves after graduation. 

Areas of Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialization:

Knee Arthroscopy Shoulder Arthroscopy Rotator Cuff Repair ACL Reconstruction Treatment of Arthritis

Knee Ligament Reconstruction Recurrent Shoulder Dislocation Shoulder Impingement / Bursitis Meniscus Repair and Meniscectomy Elbow Arthroscopy

View Dr. Stetson's Consulting Profile.

Dr. David H. Schaffer, MD, MRO, is Harvard-trained and dual-boarded in Medical Toxicology and Emergency Medicine, serving as the Chief of the Division of Medical Toxicology at Prisma Health–Upstate and faculty at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Greenville, SC. He is also a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO, MROCC).

Dr. Schaffer is regularly consulted for his expertise. Overall case retention is approximately 50/50 for plaintiff vs defendant. His services include medical record review, thorough reporting, deposition, and trial testimony as needed. Please feel free to call (828) 260-3742 or email david@schaffertox.com to walk through your case. No charge/bill time for this. Case highlights or referral available upon request.

Areas of Expertise:

Chemical Exposures Criminal Poisoning Drugs and Drug Testing Intoxication Impaired Driving Heavy Metals - Lead, Arsenic Hair Follicle Test Urine Drug Tests Drug Blood Levels Child Custody Drug Testing Cannabis / Cannabinoids / Marijuana/ THC Cocaine Opiates/ Opioids

Amphetamines including Meth Toxic Gases - carbon monoxide, cyanide, hydrogen sulfide Medication Errors PFAS - “forever chemicals” Drug Interactions Adverse Drug Reactions Pharmacokinetics Occupational or Environmental Exposures Personal Injury Wrongful Death Medical Malpractice Negligence Toxic Tort

Dr. Schaffer has published extensively in the fields of Medical Toxicology and Emergency Medicine. Outside of clinical practice and the occasional courtroom appearance, he has also consulted for major organizations—including SpaceX, Butterfly Network, and governmental entities—on a variety of clinical matters. Dr. Schaffer earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, completed his residency at Harvard, where he served as a Clinical Fellow at Harvard Medical School, and subsequently trained in Medical Toxicology at the University of Virginia.

Credential Highlights:

• Residency Training at Harvard and Massachusetts General/Brigham & Women's Hospitals
• Held appointment at Harvard Medical School as a Clinical Fellow
• Fellowship training at the University of Virginia
• Division Chief of Medical Toxicology at Prisma Health - Upstate, the only Medical Toxicology practice in the State of SC
• Faculty at USC School of Medicine in Greenville, SC and at Clemson University
• Attending Toxicologist for the Palmetto Poison Center in Columbia, SC
• Certified Medical Review Officer (DOT/HHS)
• Board-certified in both Emergency Medicine and Medical Toxicology

Clinton F. Merrill, Jr., MD, has over 35 years of experience in clinical Internal Medicine and 28 years of experience in Medical Oncology and Hematology. Dr. Merrill is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of all solid tumors as well as the full range of hematologic malignancies. He has special expertise in benign hematology including: anemias, low blood cell counts, iron overload disorders, bleeding and clotting disorders. Litigation Support - Dr. Merrill offers expert witness services to counsel representing Plaintiff and Defendant. His services include medical record review, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony. Dr. Merrill takes pride in providing thorough record review, meticulously researched reports reflecting unbiased opinions, and excellent communication skills with the ability to make the complex understandable. Areas of Expertise:

Breast Cancer Colon Cancer Lung Cancer Tumors Leukemias Lymphomas

Myeloma Myeloproliferative Disorders Myelodysplastic Syndromes Benign Hematology Anemia Bleeding and Clotting Disorders

James M. Wheeler, MD, MPH, JD, magna cum laude in Biology / Psychology from Harvard, is an OB/GYN trained at Baylor, with subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology / Infertility at Yale. He is also a graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program at Yale, focusing upon clinical epidemiology and biostatistics and health policy. He also earned his MPH at Yale majoring in Biostatistics, minoring in Maternal/Child Health. He graduated from the University of Houston Law Center with a JD in 2005, and was invited to join the Health Law division there. He has completed ADR training, having completed training programs separately in mediation, and arbitration.

Dr. Wheeler is a former national officer of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and served on several of their health policy committees including the Health Care Commission and the Hysterectomy Committee. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed papers on a wide array of topics in ob/gyn, with a particular emphasis on methodology. He has given over 200 invited lectures to ob/gyns, reproductive endocrinologists, radiologists, midwives, nurses, surgical technologists, law students et al. He sees himself first and foremost as a caregiver, and second to only that, as a teacher.

Dr. Wheeler has consulted in several hundred medicolegal matters for over 20 years, mostly in ob/gyn, but including family practice, internal medicine and several of its subspecialties, general surgery and several of its subspecialties, and dermatology. He has been a testifying expert before the FDA for drugs and devices, and has testified before U.S. Congressional staffers on health policy issues. He reviews for attorneys from both plaintiff and defense bars, as well as insurance companies (e.g. Pro-Assurance), and health plans (e.g. Harvard Community Health Plan). He has helped with Board of Medicine reviews, and constructing/defending class action suits. The combination of his training in medicine, basic and clinical research, clinical epidemiology, biostatistics and law make him a uniquely qualified person to review the complex issues of medicolegal cases.

Dr. Wheeler is a qualified first-reviewer, and a convincing expert during testimony. He has never been excused from a case as insufficiently expert.

Areas of expertise:

Gynecologic surgery Forceps / Vacuum Uses/ Complications Fetal Stress vs. Distress Cesarean vs. Vaginal Birth Shoulder Dystocia Pregnancy induced Hypertension / HELLP Syndrome Hysterectomy: Indications and Complications

Preterm Labor Incompetent Cervix Endometriosis Pelvic Adhesions Leiomyomata Uteri Infertility Advanced Reproductive Technology (IVF)

Jonathan Wiesen, MD received training in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine with a special focus on Medical Ethics.

Dr. Wiesen is currently a Pulmonary and Intensive Care Attending Physician at Community Intensivists where his duties include general clinical care and workflow organization and protocol authorship. He also serves as a Medical Technology Analyst at OurCrowd where he is responsible for the Scientific and financial assessment of medical technology start up companies and provides multi-disciplinary interactions for assessments and investments.

Dr. Wiesen has extensive academic experience with over 75 publications, including first authorship on over a dozen full length manuscripts. He has been honored with the Teaching Excellence Award from the Cleveland Clinic, a non-profit academic medical center, which provides clinical and hospital care and leads in research, education, and health information. He also received the Best Abstract Award, Critical Care session, at the ACCP CHEST annual conference in 2014.

Litigation Support - Dr. Wiesen provides expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant. His services include medical record review, written reports, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Cardio-Pulmonary Hemodynamics Respiratory Physiology End of Life Sepsis / Septic Shock Pneumonia COPD Asthma Life Support

Mechanical Ventilation Smoking Related Diseases Interstitial Lung Disease Pulmonary Hypertension Lung Transplantation Biomedical Ethics Conflict Resolution Triage

Merrill S. Wise, MD, is Board-Certified in Psychiatry and Neurology with special qualifications in Child Neurology, and he is certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine. Involved in the full-time practice of sleep medicine, Dr. Wise has evaluated and managed the full range of Sleep Disorders since 1991.

Dr. Wise evaluates children, adolescents, and adults with the full range of sleep problems and disorders. He is involved with supervision and interpretation of polysomnography (sleep studies), Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests (MWT), and integration of these findings with the clinical history in order to develop a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Because of the population served in Memphis, Dr. Wise evaluates a large number of pilots (FedEx world hub), air traffic controllers, commercial drivers and barge pilots, rail engineers, and shift workers. He is experienced in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), narcolepsy, and other disorders of excessive sleepiness, insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, restless legs syndrome, and parasomnias.  This expertise and experience allows him to analyse and provide valuable opinions on a wide range of sleep-related legal issues.

Litigation Support - Dr. Wise has reviewed a wide variety of cases involving both neurology and sleep medicine for greater than 20 years including report generation, testimony at deposition, and at trial. He has served on numerous national task forces and committees, as well as the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). These experiences have exposed him to the full range of sleep disorders, as well as healthcare systems, best practices and evidence-based standards of care, policies, and the legal aspects of sleep problems and disorders. 

Special Interest and Expertise:  

• Individuals with Excessive Daytime Sleepiness
• Downstream Effects of Sleepiness on
  • Cognitive Function
  • Driving
  • Safety
  • Work
  • Behavioral Regulation

Andrew Wittenberg, MD, MPH, FACEP, is the medical director of his Emergency Department and a practicing Emergency Medicine Physician with over 15 years of experience. He is certified by the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and is a fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).  

Dr. Wittenberg currently works in a tertiary care center in southern California that is a stroke center, trauma center, STEMI-receiving center, and Pediatric Medical Center.  Dr. Wittenberg also has significant experience working in a smaller, single-coverage community emergency department.  Dr. Wittenberg graduated from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his residency at LA County-USC Medical Center. He has been recognized for excellence in teaching with awards from two residency programs. He also a national board examiner for ABEM.   

Litigation Support - Dr. Wittenberg offers expert witness services in medical malpractice cases involving Emergency Medicine. He provides consultation for chart reviews, expert witness depositions, and testimony. Dr. Wittenberg's services are available to both plaintiff and defense attorneys.  

Areas of Expertise:

Trauma Stroke Myocardial Infarction / STEMI /NSTEMI / ACS Pregnancy / Ectopic Pregnancy Sepsis Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Aortic Dissection Endocarditis Cauda Equina Spinal Epidural Abscess Meningitis

Aneurysm Pneumonia Appendicitis Intubation Ischemia Testicular Torsion and Ovarian Torsion Airway Management Fracture  Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Dr. Jeffrey Stone, DO, MPH, FCCWS, specializing in Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, served as Medical and Fellowship Director for the Hyperbaric Medicine Unit at the Institute for Exercise & Environmental Medicine at Texas Health Dallas from 1992- May 2016. Dr. Stone received his medical degree from Western States University and received a Master of Public Health degree from Harvard University. Dr. Stone completed a residency in aerospace medicine at Brooks Air Force Base and a fellowship in hyperbaric medicine and Wound care at the U.S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine. Dr. Stone started visiting nursing facilities in the Dallas Metroplex  in the early 1990's teaching, educating and caring for individuals with chronic wounds. He is one of the first 60 physicians in the U.S. to receive his certification in Wound Care. Dr. Stone currently provides care to patients in acute care, LTAC, long term care facilities SNF and Nursing Home) and outpatient care.

Dr. Stone has been widely published in many medical journals regarding his expertise in Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine. He serves as an Expert Witness for Peer Reviews, Legal Reviews, and Medical Malpractice Cases.

Areas of Expertise: Wound Care and Hyperbaric Oxygen-

• Pressure Sores
• Arterial Ulcers
• Diabetic Foot Wounds
• Acute Traumatic Ischemias
• Decubitus Ulcers
• Non-Healing Wounds, Venous or Arterial or Pressure Related

View Consulting Profile.

Dr. Ariel F. Grajales-Cruz, triple board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Medical Oncology, specializes in multiple myeloma and advanced immunotherapies. An Assistant Member at Moffitt Cancer Center and USF faculty, he offers expert witness testimony, malpractice review, and litigation support. Author of 20+ publications, he lectures worldwide and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French.

Expertise in Myeloma, CAR-T, Immunotherapy & Malpractice Cases.

Mark Molos, MD, is a practicing Gastroenterologist and has performed GI Endoscopy since 1986. He has over 30 years of Expert Witness Experience for both Plaintiff and Defense in the fields of Gastroenterology and GI Endoscopy. He is available for medical record review, deposition, and trial testimony.

Complications of EGD, Colonoscopy and ERCP, Colon Perforation, Gastrointestinal Bleeding, Failure to Diagnose Colon Cancer, Splenic Laceration and Rupture, IBD, Pancreatitis, SBO, Food-born Illness