Surgery: Head Surgery Expert Witnesses

Gary Ciment, PhD, is a Professor in the School of Medicine at Oregon Health & Sciences University, and has taught Human Anatomy and Human Neuroanatomy to medical students, residents and physicians for 25 years.

As an expert witness, he has worked with lawyers to offer clinical insights and to develop strategies for their cases, based on anatomical and neurological principles. Ignorance of these principles is often the root cause of medical and surgical malpractice. As a professional educator with numerous teaching awards, Dr. Ciment is also an expert at communicating complex issues in an easily understood fashion. His services are available to counsel representing both plaintiff and defendant.

Areas of Neurological and Surgical Specialization:

• Anatomy of the Upper and Lower Limb
• Anatomy of the Thorax and Abdomen
• Anatomy of the Pelvis and Perineum (Groin)
• Neuroanatomy of the Brain, Spinal Cord, Peripheral Nerves
• Peripheral Nerve Damage
• Central Nervous System Damage

Over the years, Dr. Ciment has served as a reviewer of NIH and NSF grants, as well as various private research organizations. He has served on the editorial board of several international journals, and has published extensively in the area of neurobiology.

Eugene Strasser, MD, JD , FACS, ACLM, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with 35+ years of experience. Dr. Strasser is a graduate of the the University of Maryland School of Medicine & The Sheppard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University. He trained at the world renowned R. Adam Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland & finished General Surgery training at York Hospital in York, PA. He completed his Plastic Surgery residency at Albany Medical Center in New York and is board certified in Plastic Surgery. Dr. Strasser's work is published in multiple professional journals & magazines and is on staff at several local hospitals. He serves as Chief of Staff at The Outpatient Surgery Center in Coral Springs, Florida.

Areas of Expertise

• Cosmetic Surgery - Face, Eyes, Brow, Nose, Ears, Lips, Neck, Breast, Body, Scalp, Extremities
• Liposuction, Breast-augmentation,lift,reduction, Body Contouring, Abdominoplasty, (Buttock,Arms,Thigh,Body lift), Vaginal Rejuvenation,Dermabrasion/Peels,Injectables
• Reconstructive Surgery - Post Traumatic, Burns, Cancer Removal, Wound Healing, Scars, Ulcers
• Breast Reconstruction

Memberships and Affiliations:

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc.
• American College of Surgeons
• American Medical Association
• Florida Medical Association
• Florida Society of Plastic Surgeons
• American College of Legal Medicine

Steven B. Levine, MD, is an expert in the field of Otolaryngology and specializes in head and neck surgery (ear, nose & throat), including allergy and facial plastic surgery. He is an actively practicing physician and surgeon with 30 years of experience.

Dr. Levine is a Diplomate of the American Board of Otolaryngology and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at Yale University. He is a Past President of the Connecticut Ear, Nose & Throat Society and Past Governor of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Litigation Support - Dr. Levine has experience reviewing records for both plaintiff and defense counsel. His recent cases involve issues of infection, sinus surgery complications, sudden hearing loss and use of steroids, as well as the swallowing of foreign bodies.

Areas of Expertise:

Ear, Nose & Throat Issues Allergy Head and Neck Cancer Head and Neck Surgery Ear Disorders Endoscopic Sinus Surgery ENT Causation

ENT Complications Hearing Loss Hearing / Ear Surgery Laryngology Otology Sleep Apnea Surgery Snoring

View Dr. Levine's Consulting Profile.

Larry Fishman, MD, PA, is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon with more than 22 years of experience. A Mayo Clinic-trained neurosurgeon, specializes in minimally invasive surgery, including carpal tunnel, spinal, and cranial procedures. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Fishman performs CME's and IME's, disability evaluation, permanent impairment rating, future care costs, and determines medical appropriateness of care to date. He performs medical record review, medical malpractice, as well as other medical legal issues. Dr. Fishman's services are available to counsel for both plaintiff and defendant.

Areas of Expertise:

Neurosurgery Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Disability Head & Neck Surgery Hydrocephalus

Spinal Procedures Health / Medical / Disability Insurance Neuroimaging Independent Medical Examinations (IME) Medical Malpractice Medical Record Review

View Dr. Fishman's Consulting Profile.

Dr. Farr Ajir, MD, MBA, FACS, CIME, CPE, is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon with more than 35 years of experience in the treatment of disorders of the Brain, Spine, and Peripheral Nerves. An award-winning physician, he is currently in private practice and a neurosurgeon on staff at Mayo Clinic.

Dr. Ajir is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS),  Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and California Association of Neurological Surgeons. He is a Certified Physician Executive (CPE) with many years of leadership and administrative experience in healthcare delivery.

Litigation Support - As an expert neurosurgeon with decades of experience, Dr. Ajir offers services to attorneys representing plaintiff and defendant. He is certified by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (CIME), performs IMEs, and provides expert reviews and medical-legal opinions. Dr. Ajir holds medical licenses in California, Colorado, Montana, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Washington, Wisconsin, and Utah. 

Areas of Expertise: 

Brain

Brain Abscesses & Infections Brain Concussions Brain Contusions Brain Edema Brain Hemorrhages Brain Injuries Brain Tumors Cerebral Aneurysms Cerebral Vascular Diseases Cranioplasty

Craniotomy Head Traumas Hydrocephalus Microneurosurgery Pituitary Tumors Skull Fractures Stereotactic Neurosurgery Vascular Malformations Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts

Spine

Back Pain & Injuries Back Pain & Injuries Cervical Disc Diseases Cervical & Lumbar Disc Surgeries Cervical & Lumbar Laminectomy Lumbar Disc Diseases Microdiscectomy

Neck Pain & Injuries Spinal Abscesses & Infections Spinal Cord Injuries Spinal Cord Tumors Spinal Stenosis & Spondylosis Spine Fractures Spine Injuries

             

Jeffrey H. Oppenheimer, MD is an actively-practicing board-certified Neurosurgeon with 27 years of experience. He founded and presently practices at Neurosurgery Medical Associates in Coral Springs, Florida. Dr. Oppenheimer is also on the faculty at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, and holds medical licenses in several states.

Dr. Oppenheimer received his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine, where he also obtained an MS with distinction in Physiology and Biophysics. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Neurobiology and Behavior cum laude, from Cornell University. Dr. Oppenheimer completed his residency training at the University of Southern California-Los Angeles County Hospital. He has published numerous journal articles and textbook chapters in the field of neurosurgery. Multilingual, he is fluent in English, German, and Spanish.

Litigation Support - Dr. Oppenheimer is a seasoned expert witness with significant testifying experience. He has provided expert consultation for both plaintiff and defense in a variety of cases, including personal injury, medical malpractice (standard of care and causation), and worker’s compensation (IMEs).

Dr. Oppenheimer has offered litigation support services for 18 years. A seasoned deponent with both trial and deposition experience, he has excellent communication skills and a caring personality. He has testified as an expert in court or before an arbiter 20 times. Dr. Oppenheimer's services include IMEs, medical record review, conferences, and court and pretrial testimony.

Areas of Expertise:

Neurosurgery Spine Surgery Laminectomy Laminoplasty Artificial Disc Replacement Spinal Fusion Total Brain Injury

Brain Tumor Spinal Instrumentation BMP Infuse Bone Graft Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Neurosurgery Wrongful Death Neurosurgery Medical Malpractice

Michael A. Steingart, DO, is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon with a specialty in Pain Management Medicine. He is fellowship trained in the field of Laser Surgery, Endoscopic Surgery, Sports Medicine, and Disability. He has been a general orthopedic surgeon for over 25 years with a busy practice in the Phoenix area.

Dr. Steingart has been performing laser spine surgery since 1999. He also uses laser on other parts of the body, such as, knee, shoulder, wrist, hip and elbow. He has developed techniques to treat various problems and reduce surgical morbidity.

Litigation Support - Dr. Steingart and his staff have over 20 years of medical legal experience. His services include Independent Medical Exams (IMEs), medical record review, depositions, telephone conferences, and expert witness testimony when necessary. His expertise is available to counsel representing both Plaintiff and Defendant.

Areas of Expertise:

Laser Surgery Arthroscopic Surgery Pain Management Sports Medicine Spine Injury Hand, Wrist, Elbow Injury Shoulder, Hip Injury Knee, Ankle, Foot Injury

Joint Pain Impairment Ratings Fractures Slip and Fall Injury Auto Accidents Back Pain and Strains Workman's Compensation Injuries IMEs

Affiliations

• Fellow of the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians
• Fellowship in Sports Medicine from the University of Arizona Medical School
• Fellow of the American Academy of Minimally Invasive Spinal Medicne and Surgery
• Associate Professor of Midwestern University Medical School
• Adjunct Professor of A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine Arizona

View Dr. Steingart's Consulting Profile.