Civil Forensic Neuropsychology and Expert Witness Services in Greater Los Angeles and Ventura Counties

Dr. Selina Mangassarian provides forensic neuropsychological evaluations and expert testimony in personal injury, employment, elder law, and other civil matters throughout Greater Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, and across Southern California. She is retained by both plaintiff and defense for impartial, data-driven evaluations. In personal injury cases, a neuropsychological evaluation is often the only objective evidence of cognitive damages. Brain imaging shows structure; neuropsychological testing shows function.

Dr. Mangassarian has considerable experience in forensic neuropsychological and psychological evaluations in the med-legal arena, including Independent Medical Evaluations (IME). She serves as an expert witness for attorneys across a variety of legal settings, and is retained by Plaintiff and Defense for her impartial evaluations.

CFNA, Inc. utilizes a systematic approach of analyzing information obtained through multiple data sources to clarify a claimant’s diagnoses, credibility, the cause(s) of the presenting symptoms, treatment(s) warranted, prognosis, and damages associated with claims.

A neuropsychological evaluation is indicated when impairment in cognitive, behavioral, and/or emotional functioning is suspected. While neuroimaging is essential to understanding the structural integrity of the brain, only neuropsychological assessment allows for an examination of the brain’s functionality (e.g., cognitive abilities). The evaluation includes a clinical interview, a review of relevant clinical/medical, and psychosocial records, and the administration of objective, standardized cognitive and personality/behavioral measures via paper-pencil or computer tests. Due to the complexity of some forensic cases, the evaluation may require significantly more time to complete.

The assessment may be the only objective evidence of damages, by presenting quantifiable data of current functioning and how it compares to previous functioning, prior to brain injury and/or disease. Neuropsychological testing can identify symptom and cognitive performance validity. Neuropsychological assessment can be used to reveal or diagnose brain dysfunction when no structural brain abnormalities can be seen. When structural brain abnormalities have been found, neuropsychological assessment determines what functions may be impaired because of the structural defects. It can also reveal the severity of these impairments.

Forensic services include but are not limited to:

• Case consultation
• Record review
• Analysis of opposition experts’ methods and opinions
• Psychodiagnostic and neuropsychological testing
  • Symptom/Performance Validity
  • Cognitive functioning (e.g., Intelligence, Memory, Executive Functioning)
  • Social-emotional functioning (e.g., Objective Personality Testing)
  • Academic functioning
• Research relevant to issues at hand
• Advising attorneys preparing to depose opposition experts
• Expert testimony concerning:
  • Credibility (e.g., Symptom validity, Symptom/Performance Validity)
  • Diagnoses
  • Treatment
  • Causation
  • Prognosis
  • Damages

Common Personal Injury Case Types:

• Motor vehicle, trucking, and pedestrian accidents
• Slip-and-fall and premises liability injuries
• Workplace and construction accidents
• Assault, abuse, or other traumatic events
• Sports and recreational injuries
• Medical malpractice, including surgical or anesthesia complications and oxygen deprivation
• Toxic or environmental exposures (e.g., carbon monoxide, solvents, mold)
• Electrical injuries and near-drowning

Common Employment Case Types:

• Fitness for duty
• Vocational accommodations
• Hostile work environment
• Wrongful termination
• Discrimination
• Pre-employment psychological screening, including POST peace officer evaluations.
• Professional licensing and impaired-professional evaluations (medical board, bar, nursing)

Common Elder Law Case Types:

• Testamentary capacity (will and trust contests)
• Contractual capacity (real estate transactions, contracts, marriage)
• Elder financial abuse