11041 Santa Monica Boulevard #719, Los Angeles, CA 90025-3523
(310) 444-7960 • Toll-Free 1-888-661-3593 • Fax (310) 444-7912 • E-mail:
experts@mlegal.com
Memorandum for Attorneys
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Panel
Experts*
MedicoLegal Consultants has signed agreements with experts nationwide in nearly all the medical and paramedical specialties. We refer to these individuals as panel experts. The agreements allow us to present their credentials (usually a CV or profile and fee schedule) to an attorney, law firm or other person or agency contemplating hiring a medical or scientific expert. The agreements specify that all billing and payments will be from our office. We are entitled to retain a certain percentage of their fees for case review and consultation, for deposition and trial testimony or for other services performed for our client in connection with a case. Direct hiring or payment of a panel expert by the attorney or other client is specifically prohibited.
Charges vary according to specialty but most panel experts require a 2-4 hour minimum retainer. We also require an administrative fee of $100, payable in advance along with the expert retainer. On receipt of payment, we will fax or e-mail the client a copy of one or more expert’s CV and fee schedule. If the client does not wish to use our expert, we will refund the retainer fee if notified within 3 business days of our confirmation of payment. The administrative fee is not refundable.
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Non-Panel Experts*
Sometimes we do not have a panel expert that
is suitable geographically or is immediately available or is free of conflicts;
or the client requires someone with very special knowledge, credentials,
clinical or research experience. In this case we will undertake a search for a
non-panel expert. Using non-panel experts allows us more flexibility in fees and
location. We maintain a large database of independent experts in the medical,
paramedical and scientific fields and can provide an appropriate person in a
short time. Our search fee for a non-panel expert or IME physician is $250-$500,
depending on the specialty, and payable in advance. If time is of the essence or
the requirements for the expert unusually rigorous, we may charge a higher fee.
Your firm’s check should be sent to MedicoLegal Consultants at our Los Angeles
mailing address. We are unable to release CVs, fee schedules or contact
information on an expert until the deposit is received. This is necessary since
many clients have ignored our statements after a referral has been made. If time is of the
essence, a check by messenger, express mail or
overnight delivery service is suggested. Sorry, credit cards or your client’s
checks are not accepted.
You are free to contract with and pay a non-panel or IME expert directly.
Payment of our search fee satisfies the obligation to us.
We do offer a refund
less an administrative fee ($50) for cancellations before referral or if we are unable to find a suitable expert.
No contract for non-panel expert services is
available from us and we do not guarantee the authenticity or accuracy of
information provided by the expert. Checking of credentials, possible
credibility problems or conflicts of interest is up to you. As we often refer
more than one expert we would appreciate learning which one will be used.
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Preliminary Review
We also offer a preliminary review
of medical records by our medical-legal panel to determine if there is a basis
for further legal action. Our usual fee is
$850 for a review and report unless the records are very short or unusually
long. This fee is usually one-third to one-half of a typical expert fee but must
be paid before we can review the records and release the report. If there
is evidence of negligence or other basis for legal action, we will refer an
appropriate expert consultant without additional charge.
* Please Note: All experts (panel and
non-panel) we refer are independent in that their opinions are their own. We
cannot guarantee a favorable opinion or that the expert will testify in your
case. Thank you for contacting us. We look forward to serving your needs for
medical and scientific experts.