Podiatry Expert Witnesses
The insight attorneys need on matters involving the feet
Podiatry is a medical specialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions related to the feet, ankles, and lower legs. Podiatrists are medical professionals trained to treat various foot and ankle problems using medication, orthotics, physical therapy, and surgery.
Podiatrists in the United States must complete a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree and a three-year residency in podiatric medicine and surgery. Board Certification in podiatry is handled by the American Board of Podiatric Medicine. Podiatrists may also pursue a fellowship in a specialized area of podiatry, such as sports medicine, diabetic foot care, or foot and ankle surgery.
Some of the conditions that podiatrists diagnose and treat include:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Heel pain
- Achilles tendonitis
- Bunions
- Corns and calluses
- Ingrown toenails
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Flat feet
- Hammertoes
- Neuromas
- Morton's neuroma
- Stress fractures
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Ankle sprains
- Gout
The role of a podiatrist as an expert witness
Podiatrists can be valuable expert witnesses in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases involving injuries to the feet, ankles, and lower legs. For example, a Board-Certified podiatrist can provide opinions on the cause of a foot or ankle injury, including whether a specific incident caused the injury or was the result of a pre-existing condition. They can also help establish the nature and extent of a client’s foot injuries and the impact of those injuries on mobility and quality of life, as well as any potential complications.
In addition, podiatrists may be defendants in medical malpractice cases involving surgical errors and other forms of negligence. An experienced podiatrist can explain the standard of care and opine whether the defendant met or breached that standard. A podiatry expert witness can also help to establish whether negligence was the cause of a client’s foot injury or complication and what the long-term prognosis may be.
The best in podiatry to assist the legal community
Legal matters involving foot injuries and podiatry malpractice can be complex, and having the right expert witness makes a dramatic difference. The Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants network includes highly qualified podiatrists who are available for both consultation and trial testimony. Contact us today for a free case summary review.