Wayne Bennett, DC of Cogent Chiropractic Witness provides experienced, objective chiropractic expert witness services for attorneys handling malpractice, personal injury, and standard of care cases. With over 30 years of clinical experience and a background in regulatory leadership, we deliver clear, evidence-based opinions, thorough case reviews, and reliable testimony to support your legal strategy. Available for remote case review and testimony. Serving attorneys nationwide.

Chiropractic Standard of Care

✅ Clinical Decision Making
✅ Red Flags
✅ Reasonableness

Clinical Documentation Integrity

✅ Adequacy
✅ Internal integrity
✅ Regulatory context

Medical Necessity / Utilization Review

✅ Necessity
✅ Guideline Integrity
✅ Rationale

Niche / Specialized Expertise

✅ Trauma-Informed Care
✅ Telehealth Standards
✅ Reimbursement Policy Analysis
✅ Mechanically Readable File (MRF) Review

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FAQs

What types of cases do you evaluate as a chiropractic expert witness?

I provide expert analysis in cases involving chiropractic standard of care, causation, and medical necessity, with particular focus on neuromusculoskeletal conditions.

Typical engagements include:

Disputes involving medical necessity and utilization review
Regulatory or board-related matters involving chiropractic care
Motor vehicle collision and personal injury cases
Independent medical evaluations and peer review
Allegations of overutilization, under-treatment, or documentation deficiencies

I also provide expert witness consultation in the following niche/specialized areas:

Disputes involving Trauma-Informed Care
Evidence-Based clinical decision making
Telehealth Documentation and Practice disputes
Reimbursement and Policy Analysis
Mechanical Readable Files (MRF) Review

My work is informed by active clinical practice, prior service as Chairman of a state chiropractic regulatory board, and ongoing involvement in clinical guideline and reimbursement frameworks.

Do you work for plaintiffs or defense attorneys?

I am retained by both plaintiff and defense counsel. My role is not advocacy—it is objective, evidence-based analysis.

Each case is evaluated against:

Established clinical guidelines
Mechanism of injury and clinical correlation
Documentation standards
Reasonable utilization parameters
Local jurisdictional considerations

If the records do not support the position of the retaining party, that is clearly communicated. Maintaining independence and credibility is essential to producing opinions that withstand scrutiny.

What is your process for reviewing a case?

My process is structured to be efficient, defensible, and aligned with litigation timelines:

Preliminary Case Screening
A focused initial review to determine whether the case warrants full analysis
Comprehensive Record Review
Detailed evaluation of all available clinical records, imaging, billing patterns, and timelines
Written Opinion (if requested)
Clear, well-supported reports suitable for deposition and trial
Deposition and Testimony
Available as needed, with preparation tailored to the legal strategy

Turnaround time is typically 7–14 days, depending on complexity and record volume.

What distinguishes your qualifications from other chiropractic expert witnesses?

In addition to over 30 years of active clinical practice, my background includes:

Board certification in chiropractic consulting, orthopedics, and utilization review
Former Chairman of a state chiropractic regulatory board
Direct involvement in policy, reimbursement, and guideline development
Participation in a clinically integrated network (CIN) with outcomes tracking and MRF (Mechanically Readable File) analysis
Experience analyzing payer behavior, including third-party administrator (TPA) models
Trauma-Informed Care training and regulatory experience
Telehealth regulation and policy formulation

This allows me to evaluate cases not only from a clinical standpoint, but also within the broader context of documentation standards, utilization management, and payer systems—issues that are frequently central to litigation.

How are your fees structured?

Fees are structured to be transparent, predictable, and consistent with industry standards:

Initial Case Screening: Typically 1.5 hours (prepaid)
Record Review & Consultation: $350/hour
Report Preparation: Billed hourly or as a flat fee depending on scope and complexity
Deposition Testimony: $600/hour (3-hour minimum; prepaid)
Trial Testimony: $700/hour (half-day minimums apply)

A retainer is required prior to full case review and is applied toward billed services.

Expedited Services
Requests requiring accelerated turnaround may be accommodated at 1.5× standard rates, depending on availability.

Travel Time and Expenses
When travel is required, time spent in transit is billed at a reduced rate of $100/hour. Reasonable and customary travel expenses—including airfare, lodging, ground transportation, and meals—are billed at cost.

Scheduling and Cancellations
Reasonable notice is required for deposition and trial cancellations. Reserved time may be billed if adequate notice is not provided.

Where appropriate, I work with counsel to identify efficient early case assessment strategies to help manage litigation costs while maintaining a high standard of clinical and evidentiary review.

Have you testified or been qualified as an expert witness?

I have had limited formal testimony experience to date, as my professional focus has been primarily in clinical practice, regulatory service, and healthcare policy.

As a former Chairman of a state chiropractic regulatory board, I have extensive experience evaluating clinical care, documentation, and standard-of-care issues in high-stakes settings. I also have experience in testimony and legislative engagement in both state and national level healthcare policy-making settings. That work required the same level of analytical rigor, objectivity, and defensibility expected in a legal environment.

I accept expert witness engagements selectively, with an emphasis on cases where my background in clinical practice, utilization review, and regulatory oversight provides meaningful value.

This approach allows me to remain current, objective, and grounded in real-world practice, rather than functioning as a full-time expert witness.