Medicolegal Forensic Services
Council on Forensic Sciences
Dr. Hopkins is Board Certified by the American Board of Forensic
Professionals as a Forensic Chiropractor. He is the current
Secretary
of the Council on Forensic Sciences. The Council on Forensic
Sciences (CFS) is a not-for-profit organization which holds Council
status within the American Chiropractic Association. The CFS
provides graduate and postdoctoral needs-based educational
activities in forensic sciences for forensic examiners.
The ACA Council on Forensic Sciences offers education in forensic
sciences for those interested in the field of forensics (application
of medical facts to legal issues and/or proceedings). This includes
such topics as disability determination systems or programs,
impairment rating systems, independent medical examinations (IMEs),
functional (work) capacity and physical assessment (Federal)
systems, return to work and fitness for duty (DOT) assessment, fraud
and abuse investigation, compliance issues, post payment audits,
ethics issues, documentation formulation, informed consent and/or
expert witness activities.
Exceptional Documentation
“If it isn’t written down, it didn’t happen.” This often heard
phrase tells the story. Documentation of patient care in medicolegal cases requires the highest level of detail and accuracy. All
patient encounters are recorded with dictated notes by the
physicians using state of the art computer programs to capture the
true events as they happened. The patient file reads like a
compelling story detailing the circumstances of the patient. Often
these files are reviewed many months or years after the fact. It is
crucial that the documentation is complete and can bring the patient
alive from the black and white letters printed on the page.
Expert Testimony
Dr. Hopkins has been qualified as an “Expert” in Hillsborough,
Pinellas and Sarasota Counties in legal cases requiring expert
opinion. His years of experience in this arena have made him
comfortable in depositions, mediations and trial testimony. His
appearance and demeanor have been complimented by counselors as well
as judges.
Second Opinions
No doctor can see all the world’s patients. Although the colleges
are improving the educational programs every year, nothing can
substitute for years of experience interacting with thousands of
patients on a daily basis. Dr. Hopkins enjoys the challenge of
difficult cases. Often small but very important clues are overlooked
in today’s busy world. Careful consideration of all the facts from a
fresh perspective often reveals new information that can
dramatically change the outcome of a case.
Forensic Analysis / Record Review
In cases involving legal or contractual liability, concerns over the
appropriateness of patient care can become an issue. Dr. Hopkins has
reviewed files for years allowing him to render an opinion regarding
the appropriateness and or medical necessity of care, diagnosis,
causation, prognosis, maximum medical improvement, impairment,
occupational restrictions.
Independent Examination
Dr. Hopkins will evaluate a patient for documentation purposes for
third parties.
Medical Malpractice
Dr. Hopkins is available for consultation as an expert witness in
cases regarding medical malpractice.
Certified Legal Videography
Dr. Hopkins is a Certified Video Courtroom Specialist and a member
of the Board of Advisors of the American Guild of Legal
Videographers. It is not uncommon for a patient to attend a
compulsory examination by a physician hired by the insurance
carrier. Dr. Hopkins will attend these compulsory examinations for
the purpose of video recording the event. After the exam, a forensic
analysis of the video and a comparative analysis of the report by
the CME physician is completed. This can be very helpful in
documenting and validating the need for ongoing treatment.
Click here to view our
Personal Injury Treatment Protocol Brochure.
For a FREE no obligation consultation or for more information please
contact
Hopkins Clinic at 727-544-3330 today.
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