Standard of Care Expert Witnesses: 119

Dr. Yana Puckett, MD, MBA, MPH, MSc, FSSO, is a double board-certified Breast Surgical Oncologist specializing in the diagnosis and surgical management of breast cancer. Fellowship-trained in Complex General Surgical Oncology, she provides expert review of:

Delayed Breast Cancer Diagnosis Lumpectomy Margin Adequacy Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Standards Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy Technique Residual Breast Tissue Retroareolar Tumors Benign Breast Disease

Postoperative Complications: Infection Seroma Nerve Injury Implant Loss Delay in Diagnosis Lymphedema

Dr. Puckett performs both breast cancer surgery and oncoplastic reconstruction, offering a unique dual perspective on surgical decision-making, technique, complication patterns, and causation. She evaluates adherence to national guidelines (NCCN, ASCO, SSO/ASTRO) and key trial data including Z0011, SOUND, and targeted axillary dissection principles.

Her expert services include medical record and imaging review, operative analysis, evaluation of diagnostic timelines, opinions on standard of care, written reports, affidavits, deposition testimony, and trial testimony. She also performs Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) for breast cancer–related disability questions.

Dr. Puckett is known for clear, concise, evidence-based opinions and strong communication with attorneys. She accepts select plaintiff and defense cases nationwide.

Neal C. Buddensiek, MD, DNBPAS, HMDC, CMD, WCC has over 17 years of experience practicing Internal Medicine, and over 11 years of experience practicing as an attending physician in Post Acute Care. 

Dr. Buddensiek is medical consultant for one of the largest Catholic Long-Term Care / Senior Living companies in the United States (26 skilled nursing facilities comprising 2,100+ beds, 28 assisted living facilities comprising 2,100+ units, 5 Midwestern states). He holds active medical licenses in multiple Midwestern states. For 5 years, Dr. Buddensiek has taught Internal Medicine residents and nurse practitioners about nursing home and residential care.

Dr. Buddensiek is an Expert in:

• Long Term Medical Care and Administrative Oversight (8 skilled nursing facility medical directorships; 1000+ resident chart reviews for safety and quality control).
• Assisted Living Medical Care and Administrative Oversight (5 assisted living facility medical directorships; 500+ resident chart reviews for safety and quality control). 
•  Hospice Medical Care and Administrative Oversight (2 hospice agency medical directorships; average daily census 400+ hospice patients, 3 Midwestern states). 

Areas of Expertise:

Skilled Nursing Facility Regulations Assisted Living Regulations Hospice Eligibility Geriatrics Dysphagia/Choking Suicide Motorized Mobility Scooter Collisions

Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Falls Pressure Injury /Ulcer Covid-19 Elopement

Thomas J. Zaydon, MD, FACS,  is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 30 years of experience.. Dr. Zaydon is the founder of The Plastic Surgery Institute of Miami and is a recognized authority on Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. During his tenure, he continues to work in the emergency room, providing surgical evaluations and performing procedures on patients who need traumatic care.

Dr. Zaydon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He has authored numerous articles and chapters on various aspects of plastic surgery. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Zaydon serves as a plastic surgery expert witness on liability cases around the country. He has had the opportunity to work both with defense and plaintiff attorneys. He is a certified expert witness in the field of plastic surgery for the State of Florida. He works for both plaintiff and defense attorneys.

Dr. Zaydon can provide factual synthesis regarding plastic surgery management. As part of his expertise, he navigates medical records and understands procedural terminology. On request, he has prepared numerous comprehensive plastic surgery examinations in conjunction with depositions, trial testimony, and legal documents.

Video: Plastic Surgeon As Expert Witness: How to Choose Your Expert Witness - A Guide for Lawyers

Areas of Expertise:

Plastic Surgery Burn Reconstructive Surgery Breast Augmentation Breast Reduction Facelift Blephroplasty

Nasal Reconstruction Abdominoplasty Body Contouring Burn Patient Workers Compensation Peer Reviews IMEs / EMAs

Vicki Petropoulos, DMD, MS, FACP, holds a B.A. from Smith College, a D.M.D. from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, a Certificate in Prosthodontics as well as a M.S. in Oral Biology for her work in Implant Dentistry from Temple University’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry.

Dr. Vicki Petropoulos is a Board Certified Prosthodontist with over 32 years of experience in Dentistry and Prosthodontics.  She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics, a Fellow of the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics, a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontists and a member of the OKU Honorary Dental Society.  

Dr. Petropoulos has extensive teaching experience in her specialty having been a tenured faculty at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine for 20 years where she was engaged in private practice, and critical research projects. She currently holds the distinction of Emeritus Standing Faculty from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.  She has been widely published with over 33 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals in the areas of prosthodontics, implant dentistry and advanced restorative dentistry.   Additionally, she is a frequent lecturer at international, national and local dental conferences and dental societies.

During her career, Dr. Petropoulos  has received major Prosthodontic awards at both national and local levels in recognition for her excellence in patient care.  She is the recipient of the Charles E. English Award for her novel approach to delivering care for a patient.  In 2012, her treatment and passion for a complex reconstruction was showcased in the prestigious Journal of Prosthodontics’ special edition “Inspirational Cases in Prosthetic Dentistry” for her life changing treatment of a patient using implants which transformed their life.

Areas of Expertise: Dr. Petropoulos is experienced with over 20 years of providing opinion and testimony for the following areas:

Prosthodontic Restorative Dentistry Cosmetic Dentistry Crowns Bridges Fixed Prosthodontics Full Mouth Reconstructions Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics Implant Dentistry

Implant Restorations Tissue Integrated Prosthesis Endodontic Therapy Post and Cores General Dentistry Restorative Dentistry Dental Materials TMJ Disorders

Case Evaluation Screening Report and In Depth Report

Dr. Petropoulos has worked equally doing plaintiff work and defense work. She will review your case and determine its merit based on the applicable standard of care in dentistry and any deviations from those standards.  An opinion will be presented as to occurrence of malpractice / negligence.

She will also provide a comprehensive report which will include the case’s merit and applicable standards of care and deviations if any, and for the likelihood or absence of negligence and dental malpractice.

Marcel O. Ponton, PhD, has over 25 years of experience in the field of Psychology. He specializes in the Neuropsychological Assessment and treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury patients and patients with Psychological Trauma.

Dr. Ponton continues to treat brain injury and trauma survivors in his private practice. He has extensive expertise in the assessment of Spanish-speaking patients. He is a published author, Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at UCLA, and Adjunct Professor of Pastoral Counseling at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Litigation Support - Over the past 22 years he has served as an expert witness, Dr. Ponton has executed hundreds of evaluations and been retained for his expertise over 300 times. He has testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator over 40 times. Dr. Ponton's services include neuropsychological assessments, psychological assessments, report writing, medical records review, consulting, and assessment of children and adults.

Areas of Expertise:

Forensic Neuropsychology Traumatic Brain Injury Brain Injury Rehabilitation Spinal Cord Injury Trauma Malingering Personal Injury

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Psychology Dementia Sanity / Trial Competency Sexual Harassment Sexual Discrimination Handedness

Dwight Owens, MD, Chief Psychiatrist for Peachstate Psychiatric Service Is a Board- Certified Psychiatrist, Forensic trained and Master Certified Independent Medical Examiner. He been practicing medicine for more than 30 years in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care.

Litigation Support - In recent years, Dr. Owens has worked on greater than 50 competency evaluations, more than 50 IME’s, and also served as an expert more than 25 times and has extensive experience in medical record reviews. His services are available to lay persons, law firms and private attorneys, independent medical examiners, hospitals, employers, and criminal justice systems. Dr. Owens has been practicing medicine throughout the state of Georgia and currently holds licenses in both Georgia and New York. 

Areas of Expertise: 

Independent Medical Exams (IMEs) Fitness for Duty DBQ Exams / Nexus Letter for Veterans Medical Record Review Injury Claims / PTSD, MST, Personal Injuries

Second Opinion Evaluations Psychiatric Impairment Exams Criminal Responsibility Exams Testamentary Capacity Competency to Stand Trial

Dr. Owens received his Bachelor’s degree from the prestigious Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He received his medical doctorate from Health Science Center (HSC) at Syracuse in 1994. He then returned to Macon, Georgia where he attended Mercer University’s School of Medicine, and obtained an internship certificate in the area of Family Medicine. In 1998. On completion of his Adult and General Psychiatry training, he attended Emory University in Atlanta Georgia and completed a fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry. (Psychiatry and the Law). In 1999 he became board-certified in Adult and General Psychiatry.

Armond Kotikian, DDS, MD, FACS, is double board certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In the clinic setting, Dr. Kotikian routinely performs IV sedations for complex cases including impacted wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, bone grafting and tumor excisions. He specializes in:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Trauma
• Infections
• Oral Pathology Resection and Reconstruction
• Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients (surgical and non-surgical)
• Craniofacial Anomalies (orthognathic surgery / corrective jaw surgery)

Litigation Support - A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Kotikian has extensive experience as an expert witness in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry. His Dental law and Dentistry services have been requested all over the country. Dr. Kotikian has been an expert witness on over 125 malpractice cases, given depositions on over 65 cases and testified at court over the past six years. His cases have included a wide variety of issues related to the Oral and Maxillofacial region including

• Oral Pathology
• Nerve Injuries
• TMJ Issues
• Oral Trauma
• Oral and Facial Fractures and Lacerations
• Injuries related to Extraction of Teeth
• Injuries related to Dental Implant \ Surgery
• Orthognathic Surgery Complications
• Head and Neck Infections related to Teeth and Salivary Glands

More information at www.oralsurgeryexpertwitness.com

View Dr. Kotikian's Consulting Profile. 

Dr. Peter-Brian Andersson, a Board Certified Neurologist and Associate Professor of Neurology at UCLA, specializes in Traumatic Brain Injury, Multiple Sclerosis, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Memory Disorders, Capacity, and Nursing Home Standard of Care. 

Between 1992 and 1997, Dr. Andersson completed an internal medicine internship and then neurology residency at the University of California, San Francisco where he also served as Chief Resident. He has completed fellowships in multiple sclerosis at UCSF and in neuromuscular disease at Stanford University. He served on the faculty at Stanford University in the neuromuscular division before moving to the Valley in 1999 and has served this community as both an outpatient and inpatient neurologist for over 20 years.

Dr. Andersson has been published in laboratory and clinical neurology. He has been an ad hoc reviewer for the journal Muscle & Nerve. He is the Medical Director of Stratus Neurodiagnostics, the leading outpatient EEG services company in the United States, and has served as a Principal and Co-Investigator for dementia trials at The National Research Institute.Epilepsy 

Litigation Support: Dr. Andersson has extensive experience providing expert testimony. His services include medical record review, IMEs, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed.

Areas of Expertise:

Traumatic Brain Injury Neuromuscular Disease   Multiple Sclerosis Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Capacity Epilepsy

EMG & EEG Neuropathy Myopathy Headaches Dementia / Memory Disorders Nursing Home Standard of Care

Prior to beginning his residency, Dr. Andersson graduated cum laude in medicine from the University of Cape Town in 1986. In 1988, he earned an honors degree in medical biochemistry at the University of Cape Town. Between 1988 and 1991, Dr. Andersson obtained a D. Phil in neuroimmunology at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He was Yamanouchi Junior Research Fellow in Cell Biology at Wolfson 1991-2. Junior Research Fellowships are awarded to the top 2% of graduates at Oxford University.

John D. O'Connor has more than 40 years of experience dealing with complex Attorney Fee Disputes. He is a member of the National Association of Legal Fee Analysis (NALFA) and is recognized as one of the top legal fee experts in the country.

Mr. O’Connor has tried over 70 cases in federal and state venues throughout the country, with highly enviable success in complex, contentious disputes. Retained by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company as trial counsel in key cases, he has achieved a pretrial dismissal in each concluded action. He has held the highest Martindale-Hubbell “AV” rating for over 25 years, and has consistently been named a “SuperLawyer” by his Northern California peers.

A former Federal Prosecutor, Mr. O’Connor was chosen lead outside counsel in certain S&L crisis litigation, defended a California Attorney General in campaign-related litigation, and successfully represented Golden State Warriors basketball Coach Don Nelson in significant contract claims.

Litigation Support - Since the advent in the late 1980’s of adversarial legal auditing, Mr. O’Connor has served extensively as an expert, litigator, and JAMS mediator throughout the country, analyzing audit criticisms, applying community standards, and construing applicable case law. Through written Declaration and oral testimony, he has consulted on hundreds of adversarial legal fee disputes over three decades. Mr. O'Connor's work has been widely lauded by clients, lawyers, courts, and arbitrators.

Areas of Attorney Fee Dispute Expertise:

• Billing Rates / Overbilling
• Litigation Efficiency
• Task Assignment and Staffing
• Prevailing Party Determination
• Litigation Skill

Arnold J. Weil, MD has over 33 years of experience specializing in Non-Surgical Orthopaedics and Pain Management. A Diplomat of the American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Chief Executive Officer of Non-Surgical Orthopaedics, P.C., one of the premier orthopaedic practices in the metro Atlanta area. 

Dr. Weil's practice focuses on conservative, non-surgical care of orthopaedic injuries and pain management, including a variety of interventional injections, therapy and pharmacologic management. He treats patients with back and neck pain and a variety of other orthopaedic conditions and is one of the leading experts on Spine Care and Disability Management.

 

Video: Non-Surgical Orthopaedics, P.C. | The Overview

Litigation Support - Arnold J. Weil, MD provides litigation support services to attorneys representing plaintiffs and defendants. He has maintained an unbiased reputation in the medical and legal community. Dr. Weil's experience includes over 300 depositions, medical-legal reviews, peer reviews, and trial appearances. 

Areas of Expertise:

Back, Neck, Spine Injuries Disability Management Pain Management Interventional Spine Injections Workers' Compensation Injuries

Disc Herniation, Bulge, Rupture Independent Medical Evaluations Peer Review Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cell Injections Life Care Plans

View Dr. Weil's Consulting Profile.

Kent C. Sasse, MD, MPH, FACS, FASCRS, FASMBS, is a Bariatric surgery thought leader.  Performed over 5,000 primary bariatric surgical procedures and 500 revisional bariatric procedures. Medical Director of nationally accredited bariatric surgery center. Award-winning teacher. Widely published scientist. Author of the nine books. Inventor and patent holder of bariatric surgical device. 

Clinical Experience includes: bariatric surgery and endoscopy, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, duodenal switch, reoperative surgery, revisional surgery, hiatal hernia, wound care, Barrett's esophagus, hernia mesh, hernia mesh explantation, endoscopic stenting, leaks, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, and solving complications. Prolific public speaker. University of Nevada School of Medicine faculty. Experienced expert witness at both deposition and trial. www.SasseSurgical.com/books. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Sasse has served as a medico-legal consultant to attorneys involved in complex litigation. He has provided extensive expert reviews of complex cases for the State of Nevada, for independent insurance and disability carriers, and for the United States Air Force. He brings to each and every case a level of experience and unparalleled dedication to preparation, excellent service, and insightful review. His expert testimony has proven highly valuable , serving both defense and plaintiff to reach the truth. 

Dr. Sasse is a sought after speaker and an experienced trial witness, having logged many hours on the witness stand in highly charged cases. He brings a commitment to objectivity and thoroughness to each and every case. 

Areas of Expertise:

Bariatric Surgery Weight Loss Surgery Obesity Gastric Leaks Surgical Complications Weight Loss Medications

Hernia Repair Hernia Mesh Sleeve Gastrectomy Endoscopy Sepsis Gastric Bypass

View Dr. Sasse's Consulting Profile.

Dr. Farr Ajir, MD, MBA, FACS, CIME, is a Board Certified Neurosurgeon with more than 35 years of experience in the treatment of disorders of the Brain and Spine. He is also Certified by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (CIME).

Dr. Ajir has been staff neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic and Kaiser Permanente Healthcare Systems.

He 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 performs Independent Medical Examination, and provides expert reviews and medical-legal opinions. Dr. Ajir holds medical licenses in California, Montana, New York, 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

             

Dr. Tony Nettleman is a Land Surveying Engineer and Attorney who has been practicing for over 20 years. He holds a BS, MS and PhD in geomatics as well as a law degree. He is licensed in multiple states as a Professional Surveyor and is also a licensed attorney. 

Litigation Support - Tony has helped over 100 clients understand their land surveying and/or property dispute issues. He has testified in depositions and trials over a dozen times throughout that period to help judges and juries better understand what's expected of a Professional Land Surveyor. Whether your dispute is in Florida or Texas, New York or California, Tony travels across the country to conduct surveys, help the clients understand the substantive surveying issues, and resolve the surveying matter at hand.

Areas of Expertise:

Easements Land / Water Boundaries Land Title / Deeds Real Property Attorney Standard of Care

Surveyor Negligence Riparian Allocations of Ownership and Use Dock Surveys Unmanned Aerial Systems

Tony Nettleman on Land Surveyor Negligence

Dr. Nettleman has held distinguished professorships at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, University of Florida, Florida Atlantic University, and Troy University. He is currently the Director of the Nettleman Institute of Surveying Engineering Technology, the President of Nettleman Land Consultants, and the President of NLC Test Prep. He is the author of Clark on Surveying, a co-author of Brown’s Boundary Control and Evidence & Procedures for Boundary Location, teaches college courses, and helps hundreds of land surveyors become licensed each year.

Dr. Robert Evans, PhD,  is a Licensed School Psychologist with over 30 years of experience in the behavioral sciences, including completing over 100 Child Custody Evaluations. Dr. Evans serves as a consultant to the medical, legal, and law enforcement community in Florida on Psychological and Educational matters. He consulted with Orange County Public Defender with cases involving arrest and incarceration of children, including Competency Assessments and Insanity Determinations. He has also provided Critical Incident Stress Debriefings to victims of crime in the Central Florida area. 

Litigation Support - Dr. Evans specializes in Parental Alienation cases which are commonly among those classified as High Conflict Divorce cases and he has written a book on Parental Alienation. He provides litigation support to counsel for both Plaintiff and Defense. His services include support with hearing / trial preparations, review of current evaluations, and support during and after the litigation process. 

Dr. Evans has given sworn testimony as a Forensic Psychology expert witness in NY, IL, PA, GA, FL, IA, ID, CO, OH, TX, TN, LA, MA, MD, MO, NC, SC, WA, and OR. 

Areas of Expertise:

• Parental Alienation
• Child Custody Evaluations
• False Allegations of Abuse
• Treatment Considerations for Alienated Children

William A. Muñoz, Esq., is a Civil Trial Attorney, Legal Ethics Expert, and Third-Party Neutral with over 20 years of experience defending attorneys, and other professionals such as architects and engineers, real estate agents/brokers, real estate appraisers, and insurance brokers, as well as defending personal injury, toxic torts, products liability, defamation, wrongful termination / harassment, wage and hour and discrimination claims.

 Mr. Muñoz is currently a member of the California State Bar Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct (“COPRAC”) where the Committee interprets and issues opinions regarding legal ethics and the California Rules of Professional Conduct. Mr. Muñoz also serves as an arbitrator for the State Bar’s Mandatory Fee Arbitration program.

Mr. Muñoz previously served as the Chair for the Legal Malpractice Law Advisory Commission for the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization responsible for preparing and grading the legal malpractice law legal specialization examination as well as assessing the qualifications of potential applicants seeking the legal malpractice specialization designation and recertification.

Legal Malpractice Litigation Support - As a Subject Matter Expert, and with his wealth of experience, Mr. Muñoz is prepared to address the nuances of each case. His services are available to attorneys representing injured parties in the following areas:

Standard of Care Conflicts of Interests

Legal Ethics Reasonableness of Attorney’s Fees

Mr. Muñoz also serves as a Dispute Resolution Conference judge for El Dorado County Superior Court, a judge pro tem for Sacramento County Superior Court’s Settlement Conference Department, and more recently, a mediator for the Third District Court of Appeals Mediation Program. His approach is further informed by the renowned Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law mediation training program and the National Conflict Resolution Center mediation training program.

An expert in his field, Mr. Muñoz has presented locally and nationally on issues of legal malpractice, conflicts of interests and legal ethics and regularly contributes a column in the Association of Defense Counsel for Northern California and Nevada’s Defense Comment entitled “The Lawyer’s Lawyer” addressing issues of legal malpractice avoidance and legal ethics.

View Muñoz Dispute Resolution's Consulting Profile.