Speech-Language Pathology Expert Witnesses

The SEAK Expert Witness Directory contains a comprehensive list of speech-language pathology expert witnesses who testify, consult and provide litigation support on speech-language pathology and related issues. Speech-language pathology expert witnesses and consultants on this page may form expert opinions, draft expert witness reports, and provide expert witness testimony at deposition and trial. The issues and subjects these speech-language pathology expert witnesses testify regarding may include: Aspiration, Aspiration Pneumonia, Choking, Dysphagia, Swallowing, Swallowing Disorders, Tbi, Aphasia, Asphyxiation, Choke, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, Anoxia, Aspiration Precautions, and Dehydration.

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Valerie Knafelc

Plaintiff Life Care Planner and Defense Reviews

Denver, Colorado
Life Care Planning, Speech-Language Pathology - Pediatrics, Spinal Cord Injury, Autism ASD, Amputations, Glioblastoma, Geriatrics, Hypoxic Injury, Dysphagia- PEG, Decubitus Ulcer, Augmentative Comm, Medical Mal Practice, Neuroplasticity, Aphasia, Cognitive Disorder, IEP Needs, Head Injury, Developmental Delay, CVA, Hypoxic-Ischemic HIE, ABA -behavioral TX
Life Care Options provides plans and reviews based on a consistent methodology in accordance to the published Standards of Practice. My background as a speech language pathologist coupled with experience working with children from early intervention (birth) through high school transition provides a unique background to opine on all pediatric cases. As an owner of a rehabilitation clinic, I have experience working with all ages in a variety of facilities to include, hospitals, outpatient clinics, nursing homes, and home health. I hold specific certification in facial electrical stimulation (FES). As an adjunct professor, I have had the privilege of educating the next generation of therapists in keeping with the most up to date research. Please refer to my CV for further information.
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Kristy Easley, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS, CLCP

CLCP Expert Specializing in TBI

IMS Legal Strategies

Pensacola, Florida
Life Care Planning, Speech-Language Pathology - Certified Life Care Planner, CLCP, Life Care Planning, Life Care Plan Analysis, Life Care Plan Review, Cost Estimate, Speech-Language Pathology, Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, Long-Term Care, Medical, Expert Witness, Plaintiff, Defense, Federal, State
Kristy Easley is a Certified Life Care Planner with a background in medical speech-language pathology. She has over 20 years of experience in rehabilitation with a focus on acquired and traumatic brain injury. She graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2001 with a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and became a certified brain injury specialist in 2013. She has experience serving as a treating clinician in inpatient residential and outpatient brain injury rehabilitation, skilled nursing rehabilitation, and in pediatric home health and outpatient settings. She is a co-facilitator of the East Texas Brain Injury Support Group. She is a board member of the Texas Brain Injury Alliance and Head Up TBI East Texas. She is a member of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals.
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Elizabeth M McKinney

Forensic Speech Pathologist and Expert Witness

Forensic SLP Consulting Services, LLC

Melbourne, Florida
Speech-Language Pathology, Geriatrics - Dysphagia, Choking, Aspiration Pneumonia, Weight Loss, Dehydration, Malnutriiton, Dementia, Stroke/ CVA, TBI, Developmental Disabilities, Cognitive Impairments, Communication Disorders, Parkinson's Disease, SLP, Neurogenic Disorders, Swallowing Disorders
As a forensic speech-language pathologist with 18 years of experience, I specialize in legal consulting and expert witnessing services for both plaintiff and defense medical malpractice and nursing home neglect cases nationwide. My expertise is in cases involving dysphagia, choking, aspiration, weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, developmental disabilities, dementia, and neurogenic disorders such as stroke, TBI, and Parkinson’s disease. As a graduate of the University of Florida, I received my BA in communication sciences and disorders and gerontology in 2006, and a MA in speech-language pathology in 2008. I hold additional certifications in dysphagia management and Parkinson's Disease and am a Certified Dementia Provider (CDP). With a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), I am qualified to opine on legal cases nationwide. I’m committed to evidence-based practices and maintaining the standard of care in speech-langua...
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Karen M Sheffler, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S

Speech-Language Pathologist / Dysphagia & Choking

SwallowStudy & Associates, LLC; SwallowStudy.com

Boston, Massachusetts
Speech-Language Pathology, Geriatrics - swallowing, swallowing disorders, dysphagia, oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, oropharyngeal dysphagia, vocal cords, vocal folds, larynx, aspiration, aspiration pneumonia, aspiration precautions, safety, stroke, choke, choking, asphyxiation, hypoxia, anoxia
I am a medical Speech-Language Pathologist and a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders/Dysphagia (BCS-S). I achieved this BCS-S specialty certification in 2012. I have been a certified, licensed and practicing SLP since 1996, with licensure in Massachusetts from 1998 to current. I have enjoyed working as a dysphagia expert witness in litigation since 2016. I have reviewed over 60 cases, equally covering defendants and plaintiffs. I started SwallowStudy & Associates, LLC in January 2024 and now have an associate who is also a board certified specialist in swallowing and swallowing disorders: George Barnes, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S. Please see his listing as well. We both take cases nationally. I have worked with the adult and geriatric populations, specializing in dysphagia evaluation and management in long-term care, rehabilitation centers, and acute care with inpatients and outpatients. I have also been invited to nursing conferences to speak for nursing and ...
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Megan M Hamilton, MS CCC-SLP

Forensic Medical Speech Language Pathologist

Lios Manhe LLC

Ironwood, Michigan
Speech-Language Pathology, Long Term Care - Choking Death or Injury, Dysphagia/Swallowing, Dehydration, Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Stroke/CVA, Standards of Care, Neuro-Degenerative Diseases, TBI, Oral Phase Dysphagia, Pharyngeal Phase Dysphagia, Esophageal Phase Dysphagia, Nursing Home Injury, Pneumonia
Drawing on over three decades of experience in direct care provision and senior management and seven years expert witnessing and consultation, Ms. Hamilton serves as Chief Operating Officer at Lios Manhe LLC Expert Witnesses. Lios Manhe (pronounced LIZ manee) provides services to plaintiffs and defendants across the US in medical Speech Language Pathology. Ms. Hamilton served as clinical director for national rehabilitation providers in long term care, sub-acute care and a pediatric clinic. She has been an instructor in the areas of cognition, dysphagia/swallowing, end of life nutrition, and Medicare regulatory compliance. She has served at the regional, division and national level as Vice President, Corporate Trainer and Clinical Director. Ms. Hamilton has presented at conferences for the American Occupational Therapy Association and local Speech Language Hearing Associations as an employee of national Rehab companies. Ms. Hamilton holds certification from the American S...
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Barbara R Schwartz-Thorne, M.A., CCC-SLP

Expert in Cognitive-Linguistic Eval & Treatment

Speech Therapy Associates Inc

Las Vegas, Nevada
Speech-Language Pathology - Licensed in AZ CA UT OR NM GA SC NC MA and NV, Speech Therapy for Brain Injury Victims, Traumatic Brain Injury, Speech-Language Evaluations for Legal Cases, Speech Therapy Stroke, Communication Disorder Specialist, Cognitive-Communication Therapy for TBI
Licensed in AZ, CA, UT, OR, NM, GA, SC, NC, MA, and NV. Expert in the treatment of Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injuries; MVA, slip and fall, industrial accidents, bicycle, and motorcycle accidents. Cognitive-Linguistic Assessment and Treatment available. Cognitive-Linguistic Therapy is provided by a Speech-Language Pathologist who has expertise in treating acquired head injury, referred to as head trauma, concussion, and/or TBI/ABI. Cognitive Therapy focuses on the 10 main skill sets of cognition also known as executive functions: attention, focus, problem-solving, planning, organizing, time management, processing speed, language comprehension and expression, cognitive flexibility in addition to emotional regulation. When an individual suffers a brain injury all/some of these areas may be impaired. In addition, speech-language impairments due to a TBI/ABI may include stuttering, oral motor sequencing difficulties resulting in impaired word production, difficulty retrieving nam...
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GEORGE BARNES

Dysphagia Expert Witness | Choking & Nursing Home

SwallowStudy & Associates, LLC

Maplewood, New Jersey
Speech-Language Pathology, Nursing Homes - swallowing, swallowing disorder, dysphagia, aspiration, pneumonia, choking, asphyxiation, medically complex, frail, elderly, geriatric, physical medicine, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, slp, medical complexity, oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, choke
George Barnes, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, is a Board Certified Specialist in Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders (BCS-S) providing medical expert witness services for legal cases involving choking and dysphagia. Specializing in nursing home litigation and medical malpractice, he offers clinical authority on the standard of care for high-risk populations. George has been a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP) with the American Speech-Language & Hearing Association (ASHA) since 2013 and is a seven-time recipient of the ASHA ACE award for excellence in continuing education. George maintains an active clinical practice, dedicating over 50% of his time to direct patient care and the performance of instrumental evaluations, including Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) and Modified Barium Swallow Studies (MBSS). This consistent clinical immersion ensures his expert testimony regarding aspiration pneumonia, choking prevention, and medical complexity is rooted in the cont...
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CASEY LEWIS, MS, CCC-SLP, BCS-S, CNT, CLC, NTMTC

THE ONLY BOARD-CERTIFIED SWALLOW STUDY COMPANY TX

TEXSCOPE LLC

KAUFMAN, Texas
Speech-Language Pathology - SWALLOWING, SWALLOWING DISORDERS, INFANT, NICU, ICU, ASPIRATION, VOCAL FOLDS, SWALLOW STUDY, FEES, HYPOXIA, ANOXIA, CHOKE, STROKE, INTUBATION, DYSPHAGIA, ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA, ASPHYIXATION, MOTHER/BABY, BREASTFEEDING, BOTTLE FEEDING
Casey Lewis is a medical Speech-Language Pathologist, Board Certified Specialist- Swallowing & Swallowing Disorders, Certified Neonatal Therapist, Certified Lactation Counselor, & Endoscopist. She owns and operates TexScope LLC, a Texas based mobile swallowing diagnostic company that specializes in Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing. TexScope partners with critical access hospitals, acute care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, skilled nursing facilities and private practices, serving as their swallowing diagnostic expert. She is a respected expert in the field of Speech-Language Pathology and specializes in swallowing disorders across the lifespan. She is an active expert witness and is a sought-out speaker and educator both in the US and across the world. She is the creator of NICU Oral Feeding Algorithm, which aids medical teams in clinically navigating oral feeding decision-making within the NICU space. Casey has been an invited speaker at 14 universitie...
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Kristy Easley, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS, CLCP

CLCP Expert Specializing in TBI

IMS Legal Strategies

Texas
Life Care Planning, Speech-Language Pathology - Certified Life Care Planner, CLCP, Life Care Planning, Life Care Plan Analysis, Life Care Plan Review, Cost Estimate, Speech-Language Pathology, Traumatic Brain Injury, TBI, Long-Term Care, Medical, Expert Witness, Plaintiff, Defense, Federal, State
Kristy Easley is a Certified Life Care Planner with a background in medical speech-language pathology. She has over 20 years of experience in rehabilitation with a focus on acquired and traumatic brain injury. She graduated from Our Lady of the Lake University in 2001 with a master’s degree in speech-language pathology and became a certified brain injury specialist in 2013. She has experience serving as a treating clinician in inpatient residential and outpatient brain injury rehabilitation, skilled nursing rehabilitation, and in pediatric home health and outpatient settings. She is a co-facilitator of the East Texas Brain Injury Support Group. She is a board member of the Texas Brain Injury Alliance and Head Up TBI East Texas. She is a member of the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals.
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Kristine Carlson

Speech-Language Pathologist -- ADULT SWALLOWING

Charlottesville, Virginia
Speech-Language Pathology - dysphagia, aphasia, cognitive-linguistic deficits, swallowing, swallowing disorders, stroke, aspiration, aspiration pneumonia, choking, swallow strategies, aspiration precautions, tracheostomy, brain injury, TBI, asphyxia, hospice
Kristine Carlson is an ASHA-certified and Virginia-licensed medical Speech-Language Pathologist currently working in the acute care setting at University of Virginia with over 20 years of experience. Over the course of her career, she has also worked in the skilled nursing, sub-acute, long-term acute care, acute rehab, and outpatient settings with adults 18+ with primary focus on dysphagia, aphasia, cognitive-linguistic disorders, and dysarthria. As an acute care speech-language pathologist in an academic medical center, Kristine conducts comprehensive swallowing evaluations on medically complex patients patients to determine the safety of PO intake while minimizing aspiration risk. She possesses strong clinical decision-making skills with critically ill patients with a myriad of diagnoses including but not limited to lung/heat/lung transplant, stroke, TBI, acute respiratory failure. Her expertise also extends to patients with speech, language, or cognitive deficits. She has wo...
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Elizabeth P Turner

Speech-Language Pathologist- Swallowing Expert

UVA Medical Center

Charlottesville, Virginia
Speech-Language Pathology, Geriatrics - swallowing, dysphagia, choking, feeding, traumatic brain injury, geriatrics, aspiration, tracheostomy, aspiration pneumonia, hospice, stroke, aphasia, intubation, communication, airway, nursing home, rehabilitation, communication, asphyxiation, larynx
Elizabeth Turner is a highly respected and experienced Speech-Language Pathologist with over 16 years of clinical expertise in acute care, critical care, and instrumental swallowing assessment. Currently serving as a Level IV Clinician at the University of Virginia Medical Center, one of the nation's top academic hospitals, Ms. Turner brings unmatched depth in the evaluation and management of complex swallowing, communication, and cognitive-linguistic disorders. Her clinical focus includes extensive work with critically ill populations, including tracheostomized and ventilator-dependent patients, post-extubation dysphagia, head and neck cancer, neurogenic swallowing disorders, and patients recovering from lung transplant and COVID-19-related respiratory failure. Ms. Turner is certified in both MBSImP and FEES, and has completed thousands of instrumental swallow evaluations throughout her career. She also has expertise in aphasia, cognitive-lingusitic deficits, stroke, and brain inj...
You can also find Speech-Language Pathology Expert Witnesses in:
Colorado, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Texas, and Virginia