Thoracic Surgery Expert Witnesses
The insight attorneys need on surgical errors and malpractice
Thoracic surgery is the field of medicine that focuses on the surgical treatment of organs and diseases within the thorax (chest), including the lungs, chest wall, and diaphragm. Thoracic surgeons perform a wide range of procedures, including lung surgery, esophageal surgery, mediastinal surgery, chest wall surgery, and vascular surgery of the chest.
Thoracic surgeons in the United States must complete a medical degree (MD or DO), a five-year residency in general surgery, and a two- to three-year fellowship in thoracic surgery. Board Certification in thoracic surgery is administered by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS). Thoracic surgeons may also sub-specialize in:
- Cardiothoracic Surgery:
- Thoracic Oncology
- Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery
- Pediatric Thoracic Surgery
- Interventional Pulmonology
Thoracic surgery malpractice may involve performing the wrong surgical procedure, leaving surgical instruments inside the patient’s body, damaging nearby nerves, organs, or tissues, or failing to monitor the patient’s vital signs during surgery. Like all types of surgery, the risk to the patient in the event of malpractice is high.
The role of the thoracic surgeon as an expert witness
In medical malpractice matters involving surgical errors and other negligence by a thoracic surgeon, a Board-Certified specialist in thoracic surgery can explain the applicable standards of care and offer an opinion on whether the defendant met or breached those standards. They can also provide an opinion on the causal relationship between malpractice and injury and the long-term implications for the patient’s health.
Thoracic surgeons can also be valuable expert witnesses in cases involving delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of a disease affecting the thorax. They can explain whether prompt surgical intervention could have led to a better outcome and opine on the effects of misdiagnosis on the patient.
In personal injury matters involving injuries to the chest, lungs, or esophagus, a thoracic surgeon can offer their opinion on the cause and extent of the injury. They can also explain the cost of thoracic surgery to treat those injuries, the prognosis, and the long-term implications for the plaintiff.
Contact Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants today
In high-stakes litigation involving thoracic injuries and diseases, the right medical expert witness can make a dramatic difference. Rieback Medical-Legal Consultants has been working with America’s leading personal injury and medical malpractice lawyers for decades.
Our network includes Board-Certified thoracic surgeons who are available for consultation, depositions, and trial testimony. We will work as an integral part of your team from start to finish. Contact us today for a free case summary review.