Surgery (General) Expert Witnesses: 24

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:

View Dr. Stetson's Consulting Profile.

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:

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. 

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:

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)

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:

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:

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.

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:

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. 

• Thoracic Surgery
• Vascular, Endovascular surgery and Phlebology
• Non-invasive Vascular Testing
• Wound Care

Kent C. Sasse, MD, MPH, FACS, FASMBS, is a Board-certified general surgeon in active practice. UCSF general surgery residency; Lahey Clinic colon and rectal surgery fellowship. Over 20,000 gastrointestinal, colorectal, general, and bariatric procedures. Clinical Associate Professor, University of Nevada School of Medicine. Approximately 50 peer-reviewed publications. Medical Director of nationally accredited bariatric surgery center.

Clinical Experience - Bariatric and metabolic surgery, revisional and reoperative procedures, anastomotic and staple-line leak, failure to rescue, hernia repair and mesh and biologic graft performance, hiatal hernia and fundoplication, advanced endoscopy and stenting, colorectal surgery, pelvic floor and incontinence, sacral neuromodulation, complex wound management. Twenty-plus years as medical director of a nationally accredited bariatric center. Inventor and patent holder, bariatric surgical device. 

Nutrition support - Former medical director of a home infusion pharmacy with clinical oversight of home parenteral and enteral nutrition therapy, vascular access, and patient selection. Member, American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Experience with criteria-based medical necessity review. Reviews the nutrition and gastrointestinal components of life care plans, including indications for enteral versus parenteral support, expected trajectory and adaptation after intestinal resection, access complications, and projected duration of therapy 

Litigation Support - Medical negligence, personal injury, and product liability. Over 100 case reviews for the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners and the U.S. Air Force. 50+ depositions and trial testimonies. Retained by plaintiff and defense in approximately equal measure, and has served as a neutral reviewer. 

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:

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

Spine

MRK Medical Consultants provides Medical-Legal Evaluations to help legal and insurance professionals reach appropriate conclusions about their client's situations. MRK provides a wide array of medical experts that offer objective review and analysis of personal injuries. Each stage of the process—research to review, analysis to opinion—is addressed in a comprehensive manner in order to help legal and insurance professionals reach appropriate conclusions about their client’s situations. MRK's prestigious list of more than forty consultants are active clinicians and surgeons, who are all board-certified or eligible in one or more specialties. MRK provides physician experts to the entire State of California, the Reno/Lake Tahoe area, and Las Vegas, and we travel to many areas of the United States. Physical therapy, registered nurses, physician assistant, and billing review consultants are available services MRK provides. Our office physicians are available for telephone review of the merits of your case before you decide to proceed.  

Edward W. Younger, III, M.D., Medical Director of MRK Medical Consultants, specializes in Orthopedic Surgery. He has extensive experience in total joint replacement, as well as reconstructive surgery of the knee, hip, and shoulder. He was instrumental in bringing computer navigation technology to his hospital. He served on the orthopedic trauma staff at Mercy San Juan Medical Center in Carmichael, California, for more than fifteen years and was instrumental in bringing computer navigation technology to that institution. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Society and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, a member of the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the California Orthopedic Association.

Dr. Michael R. Klein, Jr., M.D., specializes in Orthopedic Surgery and is a founding member and the first Medical Director of Northern California Orthopedic Centers. He was involved with the development of the orthopedic section of the Level II Trauma Center at Mercy San Juan Medical Center. He served as a clinical professor at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center for more than thirty years. He has been a member of the North American Spine Society since 2009 and was awarded the David O. Selby Award in 2020 for his contributions. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and a member of the American Medical Association and the California Medical Association. He retired from the USAF in 1998 after being on active duty during the Vietnam War, and he was activated for Operation Desert Storm in 1991. 

MRK's Areas of Expertise:

Brent Moelleken, MD, FACS is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon practicing in Beverly Hills and Santa Barbara. Double board certified, he received his training at Harvard University, Yale University, UCSF, and UCLA. Dr. Moelleken is one of three specialty-trained surgeons in the world to complete the year-long Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at UCLA. He is an Attending Surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor in the Division of Plastic Surgery at UCLA, where he often performs surgeries and teaches residents. Here, he specializes in patients diagnosed with skin cancers in the facial area who require complex, artful reconstructions. 

Dr. Moelleken has innovated various procedures including LiveFill®, autologous fat-fascial grafts; the USIC® & LUSIC® cheeklifts, short incision cheeklifts; the 360 Facelift®, a comprehensive natural appearing facelift procedure; and the Hybrid Tummy Tuck®, a short incision tummy tuck for fit moms. He believes in publishing the results of his innovations in peer-reviewed journals. Results of Dr. Moelleken’s studies have been published in books, articles, and the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal. Dr. Moelleken provides free surgical services to Veterans at the West Los Angeles Veteran's Hospital through his UCLA affiliation, and has his own charity, the About Face Foundation ™, helping children and victims of violence or crime who might otherwise be unable to afford reconstructive services. Several of his charity patients have been featured in local and national television and print segments.

Litigation Support - Dr. Brent Moelleken provides expert witness support for insurance companies and counsel representing both plaintiff and defendant. His services include medical case review, depositions, and trial testimony when necessary. Dr. Moelleken has trial experience with the following issues:

View Dr. Moelleken's Consulting Profile.

James Apesos, MD, FACS, is Board Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and trained in General Surgery and Hand Surgery, allowing him to deal with most any and all potential medical malpractice situations.

Dr. Apesos has decades of experience operating a busy private plastic surgery practice, training surgeons, managing emergency rooms, and hospital facilities. He has a wide experience dealing with both pediatric and adult surgery from congenital to reconstructive to cosmetic.

Education / Training:

• University of Pennsylvania, BS 
• Georgetown University School of Medicine, MD
• Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, General Surgery Chief Resident
• University of Virginia School of Medicine Chief Resident Plastic Surgery
• Certified Ohio State Police Officer 
• Certified Ohio State Firefighter

Litigation Support - Dr. Apesos is an expert witness for Medical Malpractice cases involving Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, including all cosmetic surgery, pediatric surgery, hand surgery, burn surgery, breast surgery, and cancer surgery. He has special skill in complications of surgery and post-surgery deaths.

Dr. Apesos has been providing services to the legal community for 30 years. He has been retained in 30 cases and been deposed over 25 times. A punctual strategist, he is adept at quickly assessing legal cases, cutting through medical jargon, and determining the merits of each case. Dr. Apesos' services include medical record review, thorough reporting, depositions, and trial testimony as needed for both plaintiff and defendant.

Areas of Expertise:

Dr. Thomas J. Berger was board certified in 1981 as a cardiac surgeon by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and has been involved, as an expert, in over 300 medical malpractice cases. Most of this experience has been since 1998, when his firm, Heart of the Matter Expertise, began to gain recognition, within the legal community, as the premier expert witness service for cases involving cardiac surgery and cardio-thoracic disease.

Areas of Expertise:

• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Cardiology
• Surgery - General
• Thoracic Surgery

Mission Statement

To see that the truth about every case, in which an associate of Heart of the Matter Expertise becomes involved, is uncovered and understood, whether this means assuring justice for a poorly treated patient or protecting the precious reputation of an unfairly accused physician.