Orthopedic Expert Witness and Medical-Legal Consulting
Clear, evidence-based opinions in knee, shoulder, sports injury, and general orthopedic cases.
Rajeev Pandarinath, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon - Knee, Shoulder, and Sports Medicine
Why Retain Dr. Pandarinath?
Active, full-time orthopedic clinical practice
High Surgical volume in knee and shoulder arthroscopy and sports medicine
Experience with complex ligament injuries (ACL, multi-ligament), cartilage procedures, rotator cuff pathology, and post-traumatic conditions
Familiar with both community and tertiary-care standards of care
Comfortable explaining complex concepts in plain language to attorneys, judges, and juries
Provides thorough written reports with clear reasoning and defensible conclusions
Dr. Pandarinath is not a “hired gun.” He accepts cases only when the facts and medicine align with his opinion, and he will tell you early if they do not.
Areas of Orthopedic Expertise
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Knee
ACL and multi-ligament injuries
Meniscal tears and meniscus surgery
Chondral and osteochondral lesions
Knee arthroscopy (meniscectomy, chondroplasty, cartilage procedures)
Post-traumatic arthritis and post-surgical complications
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Shoulder
Rotator cuff tears and impingement
Labral tears and instability
Shoulder arthroscopy
Postoperative stiffness, infection, or failure
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Sports and Trauma
Sports-related injuries in adolescent and adult athletes
Return-to-sport and return-to-work timelines
Fractures and post-traumatic conditions
Non-operative vs operative decision making
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Common medico-legal issues
Standard of care opinions
Causation analysis
Extent and permanency of injury
Appropriateness of surgery/timing of surgery
Disability and functional impairment opinions
Services Offered
Independent Medical Record Review
Comprehensive review of medical records, imaging, and operative reports
Written opinion letters addressing standard of care, causation and damages
Consulting & Case Screening
Early case review to assess medical merit
Assistance with case theory from an orthopedic standpoint
Help with framing appropriate medical questions for other experts
Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs)
In-person orthopedic examinations
Detailed IME reports with clear findings and opinions
Depositions and Trial Testimony
Clear, professional testimony for plaintiff or defense
Focus on educating the trier of fact with objective, medically sound explanations
Approach & Philosophy
Attorneys retain Dr. Pandarinath when they want straightforward, defensive medical opinions rather than advocacy.
Key Principles:
Evidence-based: Opinions grounded in current orthopedic literature and accepted practice patterns.
Within true expertise: Cases are accepted only when they are squarely within his clinical scope (knee, shoulder, sports injuries, related trauma).
Early candor: If the records do not support the theory of the case, he will tell you early to avoid wasted time and cost.
Clear communication: Reports and testimony are written and delivered in a language that non-physicians can understand.
Typical Case Workflow
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Attorney or paralegal contacts the office with a brief description of the case.
Conflicts check and determination of whether the case falls within Dr. Pandarinath’s scope.
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Limited record review or brief call to assess whether a full review is likely to be helpful.
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Execution of an engagement agreement
Initial retainer to cover record review and preliminary options
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Comprehensive review of records, imaging, and relevant materials.
Written opinion letter or detailed report, as requested.
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Preparation call with counsel
Deposition and, if necessary, trial testimony
Fee Structure
Dr. Pandarinath’s expert witness and med-legal services are billed on an hourly basis, with separate structures for record review, IMEs, depositions, and trial testimony.
A current fee schedule is available upon request and will be provided along with a written engagement agreement before any work begins. All expert work is performed under a retainer with clear billing terms. Travel time, if required, is billed at a standard hourly rate.
Geographic & Case Scope
Active orthopedic practice in the Washington DC, metropolitan area
Available for cases nationwide, subject to jurisdictional and licensure requirements
Experience with both plaintiff and defense work
Contact Us
For med-legal and expert witness inquiries, please use the form or contact:
drpandarinath@gmail.com
Please include the case caption (if available), jurisdiction, brief description of the injuries, and whether you represent plaintiff or defense. Do not send confidential or privileged documents until a conflict check is completed and engagement is agreed upon.