Standard of Care Expert Witnesses: 115

Clive M. Segil, MD, FACS, FRCS is an internationally renowned Orthopedic Surgeon with 45 years of experience in the management of Musculoskeletal Disorders. He practices orthopedic surgery, treating all orthopedic conditions.

Dr. Segil is on the staff of Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre, St Johns Hospital Medical Centre, Valley Presbyterian Hospital.

He is in active practice in the Los Angeles, with offices in Century City, Encino, Lawndale, Glendale, Lancaster, Pomona. He is a past assistant clinical professor of orthopedics at the University of Southern California School of Medicine and a past Clinical Chief of Orthopedics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Dr. Segil completely understands the forensic system, is comfortable and confident in presentation and trial appearance, and is not intimidated by court proceedings. He has experience in all aspects of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is familiar with the new changes in the Workers' Compensation arena, including using the AMA guidelines, the ACOEM guidelines, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery guidelines for spine problems.

Dr. Segil testifies for defense and plaintiff cases with an unbiased, erudite, understandable, and logical argument to support the facts and evidence. He has provided unbiased, detailed, ratable, and credible reports concerning injured workers and has given an honest opinion as to their condition, causation, prognosis, disability, and apportionment in a precise organized manner.

View Dr. Segil's Consulting Profile.

Sanam Hafeez, PsyD, is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She is a pioneer in neuropsychological assessments, reshaping its clinical model and best practices.

Dr. Hafeez received her doctorate from Hofstra University and completed her post-doctoral work in Neuro-developmental Psychology at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, NY. She is a New York State licensed psychologist and a New York State Certified School Psychologist. She is an expert in trauma, learning problems, ADHD and Autism. Dr. Sanam Hafeez has been recognized through multiple honors, from faculty appointments at Columbia University, CUNY schools, as well as Molloy College. She has authored papers and textbook chapters on trauma.

Litigation Support - Dr. Hafeez has successfully evaluated and testified for several forensic cases, resulting in desirable decisions and multi-million dollar awards. She has testified for immigration cases, those involving trauma and damages, custody, and education. Dr. Hafeez has also consulted and worked on complex matters of wrongful death, sexual assault, matters of national security, and catastrophic injury.

Areas of Expertise:

Neuropsychological Evaluations Civil and Criminal Matters Psychology Malpractice Personal Injury Immigration Issues Child Custody Substance Abuse

PTSD Learning Disabilities Trauma Autism ADHD Mood Disorders Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Lori S. Corley MD, FAAP, is Board Certified in Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. Also certified in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP), she provides comprehensive medical care for infants, children, and adolescents, acting as their primary care physician. 

Employment Experience

• Consultant / Expert Witness for Medical Malpractice cases - Case list available on request (2004-present)
• Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Georgia Health Sciences University /Medical College of Georgia (2002-present)
• Adjunct Professor, MSN Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program, Kennesaw State University (2001-present)

Dr. Corley provides litigation support services to attorneys representing Plaintiff and Defense. She is available to review medical records, give depositions, and trial testimony for cases that include issues of causation, quality control, and standard of care. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Pediatric Medicine - General infections and illnesses (fevers, sore throats, ear infections, etc.) and minor injuries, as well as some diseases (septic shock), emotional stressors in children that may lead to psychiatric or mental health complications, including developmental and anxiety disorders, behavioral problems and functional complications
• Adolescent Medicine - Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), substance abuse, obesity, eating disorders, mental illnesses (ADHD), acne, pregnancy, birth control programs, menstrual disorders, problems with puberty, among many other conditions and disorders

Divya Chander, MD, PhD, is a board-certified Anesthesiologist with a Neuroscience PhD and extensive teaching experience. Dr. Chander trained at Harvard, UCSF, UCSD, and the Salk Institute. She is currently the Chair of Neuroscience and Faculty in Medicine at Singularity University. She is also a Visiting Scholar in the Stanford Department of Medicine, Biomedical Informatics, and was a member of the Stanford Anesthesiology Faculty for 8 years.

Litigation Support - Dr. Chander offers expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defense. Services include medical record review, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Neurosurgical Anesthesia Obstetric Anesthesia General surgical Anesthesia

Awareness Under Anesthesia Difficult Airway Head and Neck / ENT Anesthesia

Background Information - Dr. Chander's postdoctoral training Stanford (Deisseroth/de Lecea Labs) allowed her to use light-activated ion channels inserted in DNA (optogenetics) to study sleep and consciousness switches in brains. In the operating room, she applies EEG technology to understand what human brains and the underlying networks look like when they lose and regain consciousness. Dr. Chander also has a precision medicine initiative focused on understanding genetic variability in responses to anesthetic drugs and brain oscillations. Her goal is to understand neural mechanisms of consciousness, as well as the evolution of human consciousness secondary to human augmentation.

Dr. Chander is working on devices that read and write the brain (brain mapping, neuromodulation) and link to brain machine interfaces for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Dr. Chander also works in the field of space life sciences. A finalist for astronaut selection and an alumnus of the International Space University, she has performed remote simulations of trauma rescues, anesthesia and surgery in Mars analogue settings with physicians in the US, France, and the Concordia base in Antarctica. She has also been involved with a consortium that elaborated a road-map for studying the effect of microgravity and radiation on the nervous system, cardiovascular system, cognition and sleep.

View Dr. Divya Chander's Consulting Profile.

David Friedler, MS, MPH, CNHA, LMHC, Is an expert in wrongful injury, abuse and neglect in health care. His experience is in the regulatory standard of care in Nursing Facilities, Psychiatric and Substance Use Rehabilitation as well as Adult Foster Care. He holds MPH and MS degrees and has worked clinical and administrative roles for four decades. He has extensive experience with survey compliance, Federal and State regulation, JCAHO and CARF accreditation, OSHA compliance and policy and procedure adherence.

Areas of Expertise:

• Long Term Care
• Nursing Homes
• Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation
• Behavioral Health / Psychiatric Care in Drug Treatment Facilities
• Psychiatric care in Nursing Homes, Group Homes

Marwan R. Khalifeh, MD, is widely regarded as being among the most accomplished Washington, DC area Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeons, board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He was educated at top-rated Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Plastic Surgery Program, ranked as the number one hospital year after year by U.S. News and World Report. He started the program as a surgical intern in 2000 and was selected to serve as Chief Resident in the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery program.

Dr. Khalifeh’s achievements and technical skills led to him being selected to serve as an Assistant Professor and Co-Director of the Cosmetic Surgery Education Program at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Plastic Surgery. (Medical degree: Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (2000); General Surgery Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2004); Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Residency: University of Maryland Baltimore (2006)

Litigation Support - Dr. Khalifeh provides expert witness opinions in matters involving Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery Malpractice. His services are available to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant and include medical record review, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Plastic Surgery Medical Malpractice Breast Augmentation / Revision Fat Transfer Facelift Body Lifts

Chin Lift Eyelid Surgery Liposuction / Body Contouring Injectables Fillers Gynecomastia

View DC Cosmetics' Consulting Profile.

Dennis E. Coleman, JD, MPH, has over 40 years of experience in Hospital and Healthcare Management. In 1990, he formed his own hospital administration / healthcare management services consulting firm provide healthcare management services to various healthcare provider clients in a variety of areas, including strategic planning, business development, operations management, sales and marketing, policy & procedure development, and human resources management.

Mr. Coleman's academic background includes a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern University in Los Angeles and a Masters in Public Health degree with a Hospital Administration major and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, both from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Litigation Support - As a hospital administration expert witness consultant, Mr. Coleman is an advocate for applying community standards which are relevant, based upon the time frame, subject matter and administrative practice(s) appropriate to each case. He has consulted and provided case review, expert witness services, and/or strategic litigation preparation services in more than 200 legal matters. He accepts cases on behalf of Plaintiffs or Defendants.

Mr. Coleman is willing to serve as either a work product consultant or a designated expert based upon the particular strategic litigation needs of each case.

Cases Include:

• Medical Staff Credentialing & Clinical Privileging / ELAM
• Negligent Credentialing, Negligent Supervision, Negligent Retention
• Hospital / Physician Relations-MEJIA Ostensible Agency Issues
• Administrative Community Standards
• Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules & Regulations
• Provider-Based Physician Contracting Negotiations & Contract Administration
• Administrative Policies & Procedures
• Hospital Joint Commission Accreditation, Licensing & Regulatory Compliance Issues
• Wrongful Termination / Constructive Discharge / Whistleblower Issues
• Patient rights; Informed Consent
• Patient Safety; Environment of Care
• Governance; Corporate Negligence

View Dennis Coleman's Consulting Profile.

Brian H. Aanestad has over 30 years of Construction and Fleet experience, including Heavy Equipment, Truck, and Trailer Transport. He currently serves as President and Construction Consultant at Inland Valley Engineering, Inc. and as an Expert Witness for Discover Experts.

Mr. Aanestad is a Consultant and Expert witness for matters including Underground Construction and Placement of Underground Utilities. He has decades of experience overseeing the placement of underground utilities, pipelines, and conduit. In addition, he has almost 20 years of experience in the Full-Service Truck Leasing industry, overseeing transportation, logistics, leasing, rental, and maintenance activities. His company was honored for its work on the Scripps Seawater Return Lines at the University of California, San Diego. The complex, $2.5 million project included nearly 4,500 feet of piping.

Litigation Support - Mr. Aanestad provides expert services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant which include on-site review, written reports, depositions, mediation, and trial testimony as needed. Most cases end in mediation or negotiated settlement.

Clients have included such firms as Heffernan & Boortz LLP, Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP, Rutan & Tucker LLP, and Dowling/ Aaron, Chancio Brown LLC., Southern California Edison, Vast Networks (CVIN), City of Kansas City Missouri, and the City of Oceanside.  

Areas of Expertise:

Underground Trenchless Public Utilities Fiber Optics Installation   Engineering Contractor Negligence Feasibility Studies Underground Utility Easements Construction Standard of Care Construction Defects, Delays, Change Orders Construction Dispute Resolution Construction Damages / Cost Analysis Construction Equipment / Pipelines Heavy Trucks and Trailers

Forklifts Cranes Skip Loaders Backhoes Excavators Drilling & Boring Machines Horizontal Directional Drills Hydraulic Moles Truck Leasing, Rental, Maintenance Transportation Logistics DOT / BIT Review

Dr. Phillip R. Devore actively practices dentistry in Las Vegas and he is an expert witness, case planner and evaluator to the legal profession, particularly in regard to professional liability matters. He offers advice on case viability and strategic planning for depositions and trial, and testifies in affidavits, depositions and at trial. In the last 40 years, he has testified hundreds of times in numerous states prevailing in the vast majority of his cases.

Dr. Devore graduated from UCLA in 1980, lectured there part-time for 18 years, and lectured and consulted in over thirty states, attending 1,800 dental offices. He also taught at UNLV School of Dental Medicine as a full-time Associate Professor of Clinical Sciences where he chaired the business classroom courses and was the Director of the Faculty Group Practice  in addition to his other faculty duties.

Areas of Expertise:

• Aesthetic Dentistry
• Cosmetic & Restorative Dentistry
• Dental Care Analysis
• Dental Implants
• Dentistry / Odontology
• General Dentistry

Associations & Memberships

• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• Las Vegas Dentist Member of American Academy of Cosemetic Dentistry
• American Dental Association
• Nevada Dental Association
• Southern Nevada Dental Association
• Academy of General Dentistry
• Pierre Fauchard Fellow

Dr. Theresa A. Schmidt, DPT, is an expert Orthopedic Physical Therapist with 35 years of clinical expertise and over 10 years of academic experience.  As an Approved Provider of continuing education for NY State Boards of Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy, and for the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Inc., (NCBTMB), she updates clinicians internationally on clinical practice guidelines, standards of care, examination and management of injuries, disease, movement impairments and disability.

Litigation Support - Dr. Schmidt offers expert witness services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defense. She is dedicated to providing the latest evidence-based assessment and interventions to support functional outcomes. Dr. Schmidt offers meticulous, objective review of medical records and documentation.  She is an excellent communicator, engaging presenter, and expert orthopedic physical therapist with clinical, academic, and professional speaking experience.

Areas of Expertise:

Physical Therapy Orthopedic Rehabilitation Ergonomics Massage Massage Therapy Manual Therapy Falls Work-related injury Personal Injury

Exercise / Fitness Injury Physical Therapy Malpractice Chronic Pain Soft Tissue Injury Mobilization Allied Health Physiotherapy Physical Therapy Standard of Care Professional Ethics

Educise Education, Health and Wellness with Dr. Schmidt, DPT

Background Experience - Dr. Schmidt has been in private practice physical therapist for over 30 years. She has presented for American Physical, Occupational and Massage Therapy Associations, NASA Inomedic Health, Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Vanderbilt Medical, Wake Forest, private companies and medical centers across the US.

Dr. Schmidt is an approved provider of continuing education by National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork, Inc, NCBTMB, Inc., and New York State Board of Massage Therapy.  She is also a published author in medical journals and has published her research in MOJ Orthopedics, Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and Fascia Research Congress III.

View Dr. Theresa A. Schmidt's Consulting Profile.

Dave Bano has 40 years of hands-on experience across all aspects of Property Casualty Insurance Operations. He is a cross-functional and seasoned senior executive who has led Sales, Claims and Underwriting operations. Mr. Bano possesses a deep understanding of P & C customs, practices, standards and the duty of care. As a retired Chief Claims Officer, a Business Unit President/COO, as well as a Regional/State Executive at Nationwide, he has very broad multi-discipline knowledge and experience.

Litigation Support - Mr. Bano managed all aspects, and coverage lines, within Nationwide Claims including their bad faith/extra-contractual litigation. He also testifies relative to Sales and Agency operations, as well as Underwriting practices. He is a true general manager and expert across the P&C spectrum. 

Areas of Expertise:

Insurance Customs / Standards / Practices Insurance Claims / Sales / Underwriting / Agency Property / Casualty Operations Insurance Bad Faith Insurance Coverage Insurance Exclusions Insurance Denials Extracontractual Automotive Insurance Errors and Omissions (E&O)

Unemployment Insurance (UI) Uninsured Motorist (UIM) Class Actions Homeowner Insurance Commercial Insurance Catastrophe / Disaster Flood Insurance Excess Surplus Insurance Insurance Fraud Insurance Investigation

Background Experience - Mr. Bano began his career as an adjuster trainee and worked through every operating level within Claims, eventually becoming Nationwide's first company-wide Chief Claims Officer. As a hands-on leader with strong experience in P/C general management (sales, agency operations, underwriting) as well as claims, he offers current expertise across any aspect of Property & Casualty insurance. 

As Chief Claims Officer, he was responsible for 8000 employees, all claims operations, across all lines of coverage. He partnered closely with his legal teams and held decision-making authority over all claims-related litigation, including extracontractual and bad faith situations. He led Automobile, Homeowners, Commercial, Agribusiness, Excess & Surplus [Scottsdale Insurance], Environmental, Pet & Veterinary, as well as the National Catastrophe group and the Special Investigations anti-fraud teams.  

As a general manager, Mr. Bano led the hundreds of agents, underwriters and claims staff within the State of Michigan and earlier, within the five-county Philadelphia, PA market. 

Robert A. Ertner, MD, is a Board Certified, fellowship-trained Cardiac Anesthesiologist in full-time clinical practice at a Northern California county hospital that serves as a level 2 trauma center. Dr. Ertner has been a certified Echocardiographer for 15 years. He specializes in Cardiac and Thoracic surgical procedures for which he is fellowship-trained.

Background: Dr. Ertner has previously served as an academic physician teaching residents in both MD and CRNA programs.  He has served as a locum tenens anesthesiologist performing direct care and both supervising and directing CRNAs, and presently provides care to over 700 patients each year. He provides Spinal, Epidural, Regional, and General Anesthesia for patients undergoing cardiovascular and thoracic procedures as well as general, orthopedic, bariatric, urologic, vascular, otorhinolaryngological (ENT), ophthalmologic, gynecologic, and neurologic surgery in both the hospital inpatient and outpatient surgery center settings.   He provides care for obstetric patients in the labor and delivery suites and operating rooms.  Additionally, he provides care for a variety of procedures performed “out-of-department,” such as in the cardiac catheterization suites, the interventional radiology suites, and CT and MRI cases.  

Dr. Ertner maintains licenses in California where his practice is located, as well as in Texas and Georgia, where he trained, and in Missouri and Oregon. He was awarded Diplomat status by the National Board of Echocardiography in 2007.

Litigation Support: Dr. Ertner has been involved in medical-legal work since 2014. He has reviewed cases for attorneys representing both plaintiff and defense. Dr. Ertner has consulted on over 85 cases, including preparation of affidavits, forensic report writing, and providing testimony at deposition and trial. He works with clients to offer both an understanding of the relevant medicine (anatomy, pathophysiology, pharmacology, etc.) and how to think about what information they need to seek going forward as they pursue their cases.

Areas of Expertise:

Anesthesiology Cardiac Anesthesiology Thoracic Anesthesiology Peripheral Nerve Block Epidural Anesthesia Spinal Anesthesia Airway Management

Airway Trauma Intubation Transesophageal Echocardiography Nerve Injury Bronchospasm Laryngospasm Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation

EXPERTISE IN: 1. The pathobiology, clinico-pathologic correlation, and histopathologic diagnosis of: diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, anus, liver, and pancreas. 2. Human neoplasms (cancer) and preneoplastic conditions. 3. Establishing standard of care, causation and cause of death. 

BACKGROUND: 

1. Anatomic Pathology Residency: Washington Univ-Barnes Hospital 1991-94.
2. Oncologic Pathology Fellowship: M.D. Anderson Cancer Center 1994-95.
3. Gastrointestinal and Liver Pathology Fellowship: Harvard-Brigham & Women's Hospital 1995-96.
4. Instructor at Harvard Medical School: 1996-1998.
5. Assistant Professor and Director of Gastrointestinal Pathology Division at UT-Health Science Center-Hermann Hospital, Houston Medical Center: 08/1998 - 12/2000.
6. Staff GI Pathologist and Quality Assurance Director at Caris/Miraca Life Sciences, Dallas TX: 01/2001 - 04/2012.  Dr. Torres was instrumental in creating a unique model of Gastrointestinal Pathology subspecialty-focused laboratory, during his tenure at Caris/Miraca Life Sciences.
7. Staff Pathologist, Anatomic Pathology Division of the North Shore-LIJ Health System, Long Island NY: 05/2012 - 05/2015.
8. Staff Pathologist, Anatomic Pathology Division of Alliance Health Sciences, Dallas TX: 06/2015 - 05/2020.
9. Sole Proprietor of Expert Pathology Consultation Services Laboratory since 01/2020, which provides diagnostic pathology services to hundreds of clinicians of different subspecialties.         

Frederick J. Fisher, JD, is the President of Fisher Consulting Group, Inc., a Professional Liability firm. Since his career began, Mr. Fisher focused on one vision: providing financial security to the client. The result was a successful 40 year career in Specialty Lines Insurance.

Mr. Fisher provides Expert Witness services and Litigation Strategies to attorneys representing Plaintiff and Defense. He testifies regularly as an expert witness in cases dealing with:

• Insurance Broker Standards of Care
• Real Estate Broker Standards of Care
• Third Party Administrator Standards (TPA)
• Claims Handling and Bad Faith
• Wholesale Broker Policies with "gotchya's"

Background Experience:

• For almost 20 years, Mr. Fisher was the Founder of E.L.M. Insurance Brokers, a Wholesale & MGA facility specializing in Professional Liability and Specialty Line Risks. In 1995, he formed what is now known as ELM insurance Brokers, a firm that has acted as an MGA and Wholesale Broker of Professional Liability Insurance and Specialty Lines. From nothing, the firm grew rapidly to a $30 Million dollar facility when sold in 2008
• Mr. Fisher began his career on the service side, as an Independent E&O claims adjuster. In 1982, he bought the Company. In only 4 years, the annual billings increased by 400%
• In 1989, Mr. Fisher became a Founding Member of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS), and was elected to the PLUS Board of Trustees in 1993. After serving in all Officer capacities, he was elected President in 1997. He remains a Special Materials Expert for several RPLU courses and is the Senior Technical Advisor for The Professional Liability Manual, first published by the International Risk Management Institute in 1990

For more information on his Litigation Support Services, Email Frederick Fisher at: fjfisher@fishercg.com

View Frederick Fisher's Consulting Profile.

Michael G. Kaplan has nearly 50 years of experience in the areas of Forensic Accounting, Business Valuation, and Litigation Consulting. Mr. Kaplan is a Forensic Certified Public Accountant who is regularly called upon to testify as a qualified expert witness in federal and state courts. He has participated in approximately 300 trials. Mr. Kaplan has also served as a court appointed expert accounting referee.

Mr. Kaplan has served as a university professor for approximately 24 years (including 18 years at the University of Southern California). He created and taught courses for the National Judicial College, American College of Business Court Judges, National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts, and presented sessions for various Bar Associations, various CPA societies, and other professional organizations. His professional affiliations have included local, regional and national CPA/Advisory firms.

Areas of Expertise:

Forensic Accounting Business Valuation Lost Profits Business Interruption Business Damages Employment Damages Matrimonial Litigation

Personal Injury Damages Intellectual Property Damages Professional Standards Professional Malpractice Fraud - Embezzlement - Misappropriation Partner and Shareholder Disputes

Awards and Honors:

• Circle of Light Award (1998) - National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (first recipient of this award presented annually recognizing one's contributions and performance as an instructor; highest award bestowed upon an instructor in NACVA's educational programs for Business Valuation and Financial Forensics experts.) 
• Magna Cum Laude Award - National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (2017) - Recognizes one's contributions to the fields of Business Valuation and Financial Forensics.