Frequently Asked Questions - Forensics

No. At this time I only accept cases from attorneys. If you are a litigant interested in obtaining a forensic psychiatric evaluation I would recommend discussing your case with an attorney. The attorney can guide you about whether you need an Independent Medical Examination and, if so, what is the best way to go about scheduling one. If you are already represented by an attorney and would like to schedule an IME with me, please ask the attorney to reach out to me directly to further discuss.

I charge hourly rates that are around the market average. I will also consider rate reductions on a case by case basis, such as when evaluating an indigent defendant. Please contact me directly to discuss my fee schedule. Based on the volume of record review and the questions involved I can also provide an estimate of the total cost for the evaluation.

I have conducted more than 100 Independent Medical Examinations.

Yes. If you are considering having me consult on a case, please contact me and we can discuss whether I might be of assistance.

Typically no. As per the guidelines of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, a forensic examination should include all elements of a full psychiatric assessment. This includes questions about medical history, psychiatric history, substance abuse history, and other standard exam elements. This is essential in order to rule out or rule in competing explanations, and omitting portions of the exam falls below the relevant standard for forensic evaluation. If you believe unique circumstances exist that should limit the scope of a psychiatric IME please contact me to discuss the specifics.

In some cases a litigant claims mental health damages or otherwise claims a mental health condition relevant to the proceeding, but the attorney refuses to allow the opposing expert to examine the individual, or would like to impose strict restrictions on the scope of the examination. Under such circumstances a frank discussion about the reason a full exam is required is a good first step. If the attorney will not agree to allow for an appropriate IME, then a motion to compel an examination may be a reasonable next step. I can provide a declaration in support of such a motion if needed. If the court determines that certain restrictions should be imposed on the examination (or if both sets of attorneys agree that such limitations are needed due to the particulars of the case) then I would typically proceed with a limited examination and offer opinions along with an explanation of any relevant limitations of the opinion given the inability to perform a full exam.