Articles of Interest

If a disabled worker sustains injuries in the workplace, and already had a prior disability, the State of California provides benefits in the form of the Subsequent Injuries Benefits Trust Fund (SIBTF). The SIBTF was created in 1945 by California’s legislature to encourage employers across all industries to hire disabled workers, without worrying about taking full responsibility for their pre-existing disabilities. Qualifying for the California Subsequent Injuries Fund is a complicated process, which is why, only injured workers who’re represented by a qualified attorney apply. Workers’ comp cases dealing with the complex Subsequent Injuries Fund have been increasing. For attorneys representing injured clients, there are various issues that they need to be familiar with before handling such cases. While the core issue in SIBTF cases is whether or not an injured worker [...]

If your employer or an insurance company is disputing the extent or nature of your medical condition or permanent disability, you may need to undergo an independent medical evaluation, commonly referred to as an IME. The final IME report that is prepared by the IME physician who conducts the examination can have a huge impact on the outcome of your injury or permanent disability case, as well as whether you’ll receive a settlement or disability benefits. When it comes to scheduling an IME, it’s important to be prepared. In this guideline, we’ll give you some insights on what to expect during an IME. Understand the IME Basics When there is a dispute about the work-related injuries, medical condition or illness of an individual, an independent medical evaluation may be scheduled to help [...]

During the course of treatment for a work injury, sometimes, a claims representative may decide to request a second opinion from another physician. This is where an independent medical evaluation (IME) comes in. Also referred to as an independent medical examination, an independent medical evaluation is conducted when an injured party requires third-party opinion and documentation, to determine the cause, extent and medical treatment of a work-related or other type of injury where liability is an issue. An IME can be requested by different parties, including insurance companies, lawyers, benefit providers, employers or HR managers. An objective, independent medical evaluation report is provided after the examination is done to confirm or deny any benefits or settlements to the claimant. To understand what is an independent medical examination and IME report, we’re going [...]

When a person gets injured and has broken bones, skeletal-related wounds, fractures and other bone or musculoskeletal conditions, an orthopedic surgeon is generally used to provide professional medical treatment and do surgical procedures. An orthopedic surgeon deals with a wide range of conditions, including sports injuries, back pain, tendon injuries, stiff neck, arthritis hips and knees among others. Accounting for more than 3 million hospitalizations each year, musculoskeletal ailments amount to nearly $245 billion dollars in medical costs annually. In this guide, we’re going to discuss some of the important things you should know about orthopedic expert witnesses, their roles in resolving orthopedic malpractice lawsuits, how their services play a critical role in orthopedic litigation and how to choose the right one for your case. What You Should Know About Orthopedic Expert [...]

In any complex medical-legal case, the testimony of an experienced expert witness is necessary. A medical expert witness is qualified by their own expertise, knowledge and level of experience to give an independent and defensible opinion on a specific medical-legal issue in court. If you’re thinking of how to become a medical expert witness, it’s important to understand the requirements of becoming one, and that comes down to two main categories: The legal requirements for becoming an expert witness The practical requirements of becoming an expert witness Before we discuss expert witness qualifications, we’re going to discuss a few things related to medical expert witnesses, including their roles, who can become an expert witness, qualification requirements, professional conduct issues, where an expert witness's opinion can be applied and questions to consider before [...]

Dr. James M. Fait, MD is a board-certified physician and orthopedic surgeon in the California area and is currently one of the top El Centro orthopedic surgeons for medical legal evaluations. If you are searching for expert witnesses in court for a joint-related issue, Dr. Fait has the necessary credentials and experience to put forward an objective and compelling case. Read more about Dr. James Fait’s education and professional experience to see whether he could be the right physician to help you with your expert witness needs. Professional Qualifications Dr. James Fait’s impressive list of qualifications and awards places him among the top El Centro orthopedic surgeons. To begin with, Dr. Fait studied science, bioengineering, economics, and political science at the University of California from 1988 to 1992. He was awarded the [...]

Dr. Frank Sheridan is a practicing physician, specializing in forensic pathology and neuropathology. He has extensive experience in the administration of a medical examiner's division, supervision of practicing forensic pathologists, the performance of autopsies, medical-legal testifying in criminal and civil courts, regular teaching of medical students and monthly lectures to pathology students at Loma Linda University Medical Center. He currently works as a part-time forensic pathologist at the Sheriff/Coroner’s Office in San Bernardino County and was formerly the Chief Medical Examiner at the same office from July 1, 1991 to June 9, 2017. With his expertise in pathology, he provides independent and objective wrongful death expert witness services in the state of California. As one of the foremost expert witnesses for wrongful death cases in California, Dr. Frank Sheridan has gained a [...]