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.
More Information: Chiropractic Expert Witness
