Trauma Surgery Expert Witnesses
Key insights for attorneys on cases involving emergency surgical procedures
Trauma surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on treating patients who have sustained traumatic injuries such as gunshot wounds, blunt force trauma, and stab wounds, usually in an emergency setting. Trauma surgeons perform a wide variety of procedures, including:
- Controlling bleeding
- Repairing damaged organs
- Reconstructing injured limbs
- Removing foreign objects (such as bullets)
In the United States, trauma surgeons must complete a medical degree (MD or DO), followed by a five-year residency program in general surgery. After residency, trauma surgeons must complete an additional one- to two-year fellowship in trauma surgery. Trauma surgeons can be Board Certified in Surgical Critical Care by the American Board of Surgery (ABS).
Many patients who receive trauma surgery have multiple injuries involving different organ systems. Trauma surgeons work closely with physicians in numerous other specialties, including emergency medicine, critical care medicine, and specialties focusing on various individual parts of the body, to quickly react to complex medical crises and stabilize patients.
The role of a trauma surgeon as an expert witness
Because of the nature of their work, trauma surgeons see many patients who are injured in car accidents, falls, and other incidents caused by negligence. In a personal injury case, a trauma surgeon can provide an expert medical opinion on the nature, extent, and severity of a plaintiff’s injuries. They can also offer an informed opinion on causation to help the attorney establish negligence.
In medical malpractice cases involving emergency room and critical care malpractice, trauma surgeons can be invaluable expert witnesses as well. For instance, in cases where an emergency room doctor or other medical provider failed to properly diagnose a medical emergency, a trauma surgeon can opine on whether prompt surgical intervention could have led to a better outcome for the patient.
Talk to a member of our team today
Legal matters involving trauma surgery are often complex and have high stakes. Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants has been working with premier personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys since 1986, and we take pride in offering comprehensive support and insight from start to finish. Our network includes highly qualified, Board-Certified trauma surgeons who are prepared to provide objective, compelling testimony in depositions and at trial. Contact us today for a free case summary review.