Speech-Language Pathologist- Swallowing Expert

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

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 injury recovery. In addition to her clinical work, Ms. Turner is a published author in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, with peer-reviewed research on post-extubation dysphagia in COVID-19 patients—an area of growing litigation and inquiry. She is a recognized speaker at national and state-level conferences, including ASHA and SHAV, and has trained healthcare providers across disciplines in evidence-based dysphagia management. Ms. Turner’s qualifications as an expert witness include: Deep familiarity with standards of care in acute care speech pathology Extensive experience documenting, interpreting, and defending diagnostic findings Strong interdisciplinary collaboration with physicians, radiologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and legal teams Proven ability to educate professionals and juries in understandable, concise terms Licensure in Virginia and longstanding CCC-SLP certification through ASHA Her expertise spans both adult and pediatric populations, with specific training in NICU, tracheostomy, and medically complex cases. With a reputation for clinical precision, critical thinking, and clear communication, Ms. Turner is an ideal expert witness for cases involving dysphagia, aspiration, communication disorders, delayed diagnosis, tracheostomy complications, standards of care, and adverse outcomes in medically fragile patients. She is available for plaintiff and defense work and offers services including case evaluation, report writing, deposition, and trial testimony.