"Expert Witness" Depositions / Consultations
In-Office Trauma Case Video Presentations
Video depositions are often done for patients who have had accidents/trauma cases. Part of my professional practice involves the photographic and video documentation of patients with such a history.
In our comprehensive initial evaluation and examination of the patient, documentation of past medical history and records concerning the patients' accident are coordinated with the diagnosis and recommended treatment protocol. Photographic documentation is often done initially and in many cases, a videographic history and progression is done. This is particularly applicable when significant jaw deviation and disk displacement/temporomandibular joint sounds are in evidence.
When a video deposition is necessary in case substantiation and/or requested by the insurance company or the attorney involved in the case, they are done in my Paoli office. This office facility has been designed for maximum education and lecturing videographic recording capabilities in order to demonstrate the particular medical/dental case specifics. In a typical trauma documentation, the preparation is done coordinated from a background medical/dental library of 10,000 clinical slides I have done over the years in dental/temporomandibular orthopedics. A case work- up and applicable educational material for videotaping is correlated for educational background in helping the videotape viewers/ jury to understand the nature of trauma as it involves the head, neck, TMJ area. Anatomic models are coordinated with educational aspects of TMJ orthopedics along with coordinated video tape as applied to the patients' specific case. These in turn are integrated into the deposition video, with applicable color slide material and radiographic documentation. The case history of the patient and diagnosis and treatment is then visually discussed.
All preparatory materials are done prior to the office
deposition. The usual time frame is five hours of in-office preparation prior
to video tape deposition and a four hour block of office time for the scheduled
deposition. This includes a one hour meeting time with the attorney and three
hours of deposition time (including court stenographer and videographer setup)
with curriculum vitae presentation, examination/cross examination, and case
presentations/discussions. The specific fee for the video deposition
professional services will be quoted at the time of final case presentation and
scheduling. All other expert witness/case examiner services are on an hourly
basis per phone consult arrangements.
At office depositions, patient videographic case
documentation is supported with computer-graphic X-Ray imaging, split screen
slides, anatomic head/neck/jaw teaching models, and detailed examination of
causal relationships in assessing case analysis, diagnosis, future
medically/dentally necessary treatment, long-term TMJ/ joint impairment issues,
and prognosis.
Telephone Consultations- Internet Integration
Dr. Stephen Smith is making available telephone consultation times for patients who are unable to visit his Paoli or Osteopathic Medical Center office for personal case evaluation and treatment recommendations. The availability of a pre-arranged telephone consultation to go over questions and potential recommendations for TMJ /temporomandibular disorders and related orofacial pain headache, earache as related to jaw imbalances and myofacial/masticatory pain is a service now available. A definitive diagnosis (related to insurance document submission) cannot be made without seeing the patient in the office, however advice and suggestions related to pain and the TMJ field will be available. Please call the central office number 610- 647-2755 to make arrangements for a consultation time for your own personal case review with Dr. Smith.
Time is blocked out in 15- minute increments. The fee for this service will be quoted at the time of setting up the consult. A faxed or written confirmation will be sent; consults will be charged via a signed acknowledgment for credit card debit with MasterCard, Visa, Discovery Card, or American Express with number of card and date of expiration. The time must be reserved; 24 hours notice must be given if cancellation is anticipated. Consults will usually be done on Monday afternoons or Friday mornings, arranged through the Paoli office. Dr. Smith will integrate phone case consultation with working through his Internet web site for the latest up to the minute developments in education. Web site reference is www.sdsmithdmd.com and the associated links. Please have your online service/computer available at the time of scheduled consultations.
Stephen David Smith, D.M.D.