CASES I HANDLE

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Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & Cognitive-Communication Disorders

An attorney retained me to evaluate an individual who sustained a traumatic brain injury following a serious accident. Despite relatively unremarkable findings on portions of the medical record, concerns persisted regarding communication effectiveness, executive functioning, memory, attention, and the individual's ability to participate meaningfully in daily activities. A comprehensive forensic speech-language pathology evaluation identified significant cognitive-communication deficits impacting functional independence and communication reliability. Findings provided objective evidence regarding the real-world consequences of the injury and informed legal decision-making.

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Communication Reliability, Aphasia & Litigation Capacity

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I was retained to assess communication functioning in an individual with significant neurological impairment following a catastrophic injury. Medical documentation contained conflicting descriptions of the individual's communication abilities. Through formal and informal assessment, I evaluated expressive language, receptive language, speech intelligibility, and overall communication reliability. The evaluation identified substantial barriers to effective communication that were not fully reflected in portions of the medical record. Findings assisted legal counsel in understanding the individual's ability to communicate information accurately and consistently.

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Decision-Making Capacity & Functional Communication

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Attorneys and healthcare professionals frequently encounter situations where questions arise regarding an individual's ability to understand information, communicate choices, and participate in important decisions. In these matters, I evaluate the communication and cognitive-linguistic factors that may affect decision-making. My assessments focus on comprehension, reasoning, memory, executive functioning, and the ability to express preferences consistently. Findings help clarify whether communication impairments may be influencing an individual's functional decision-making abilities.

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Dysphagia, Nursing Home & Medical Negligence Cases

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Swallowing disorders can have significant medical, functional, and legal implications. I provide record reviews and forensic analysis in cases involving aspiration risk, dysphagia management, feeding recommendations, communication impairments, and standards of care within healthcare settings. My evaluations examine documentation, clinical decision-making, and the impact of communication and swallowing impairments on patient safety, quality of life, and healthcare outcomes. Findings assist attorneys in understanding speech-language pathology issues relevant to medical negligence and long-term care litigation.