Ophthalmology Case ConsultingMalpractice · Personal injury · Workers comp · Civil Litigation

Expert review to bring your case into sharper focus

Board-certified ophthalmologist providing independent expert opinions and testimony on standard of care, causation, and visual impairment for plaintiff and defense counsel involved in complex litigation.

David Leach, MD, FACS, board-certified ophthalmology expert witness
David Leach, MD, FACSBoard-certified ophthalmologistExperienced expert witness
26+
Years in practice
10+
Deposition & trial testimony
48hr
Initial merit screen
70/30
Plaintiff / defense

My approach

Practice shapes perspective

The principles guiding my expert work are the same ones guiding my daily patient care: close attention to the facts, thoughtful evaluation of the evidence, and careful application of sound judgment.

Scope of review

Real-world experience

My independent opinions are grounded in active clinical practice and peer-reviewed literature and span the full range of ophthalmic litigation.

/ 01 · MALPRACTICE

Diagnostic delay & vision loss

Retinal detachment, wet macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, endophthalmitis, temporal ("Giant Cell") arteritis, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION/AION), glaucoma, and claims of failure to diagnose and treat.

/ 02 · MALPRACTICE

Surgical & treatment complications

Adverse outcomes following blepharoplasty, intravitreal injection and laser; claims of secondary glaucoma, dry eye, IOL dislocation, and medication or steroid-induced toxicity.

/ 03 · MALPRACTICE

Cataract & refractive surgery

Posterior capsule rupture, dropped nucleus, postoperative infection, IOL power and selection errors, LASIK and PRK outcomes, informed-consent disputes.

/ 04 · INJURY

Trauma & accident-related vision loss

Open-globe and orbital injury, chemical burns, surgical fires, and vision loss from assault, auto accidents, workplace hazards and suspected or alleged triage failures.

/ 05 · CAUSATION

Causation vs. pre-existing

Whether the incident caused the visual deficit, or whether the findings reflect prior, degenerative or unrelated disease.

/ 06 · DAMAGES

Impairment & disability rating

Permanent visual impairment and disability ratings, functional vision loss, and input on future treatment and life-care needs.

/ 07 · CIVIL

Product liability & toxic exposure

Ocular injury from devices, drugs, chemicals, and workplace or environmental exposures, with mechanism and causation analysis.

/ 08 · ALL MATTERS

Records review & IME

Independent medical exams, record review, and merit screening for plaintiff, defense, and insurance counsel.

/ 09 · ALL MATTERS

Testimony & reports

Signed reports, affidavits, deposition, and trial testimony that explain ophthalmic care and outcomes in terms a lay jury can easily understand.

How an engagement works

A clear path from first call to testimony

STEP 01

Conflict check

A short call to confirm no conflict exists and to verify the case fits my area of expertise before any records change hands.

STEP 02

Merit screen

An initial review of key records followed by a candid verbal opinion on whether the standard of care was met.

STEP 03

Written opinion

A signed report or affidavit setting out the basis for each opinion in plain, defensible terms.

STEP 04

Deposition & trial

Clear, composed testimony that explains ophthalmic care to a lay jury without overstating the science.

Qualifications

Qualified, credible, and courtroom-ready

  • Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology, Active Fellow
  • Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
  • Managing Partner & surgeon, active clinical ophthalmology practice
  • Clinical Instructor, University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology
  • Medical Director, Ambulatory Surgery Center
  • President, North Idaho Medical Society
  • Trustee, Idaho Medical Association Executive Board
  • Co-Chair, Idaho Committee for Hippocratic Medicine
  • Peer-reviewed publications, invited CME lectures & grand rounds
  • Active medical licensure — Idaho & Washington

What counsel can expect

  • An honest opinion grounded in the medical record, regardless of which side it favors
  • Reports that separate fact, standard of care, and causation
  • Familiarity with deposition and cross-examination
  • Timelines that respect court and discovery deadlines

Retained across the docket

Independent — not an advocate for either party

I take both plaintiff and defense engagements across malpractice, personal injury, and civil matters, because credibility on the stand comes from integrity and consistency in the process, not from taking sides. Every review is held to the same standard regardless of who retains me.

Plaintiff counsel Defense counsel Personal injury Civil litigation Workers' compensation Insurance / IME Pre-suit screening

Common questions

What counsel asks first

A brief primer for attorneys weighing whether an ophthalmology expert review fits their case.

What does an ophthalmology expert witness do?

Reviews the medical record in eye-injury and vision-loss cases and offers an independent opinion on whether the standard of care was met, whether the care caused the visual deficit, and the extent of any permanent impairment, delivered as a written report and, when needed, deposition and trial testimony a lay jury can follow.

When should I retain an expert?

Early, ideally before suit is filed, so the merits can be screened before significant cost is incurred. An early independent review confirms whether the standard of care was breached, whether causation is defensible, and whether the case is worth pursuing or defending.

Do you take plaintiff and defense cases?

Both, across malpractice, personal injury, and civil matters. Every review is held to the same standard regardless of who retains me, because credibility on the stand comes from consistency, not from taking sides.

What types of eye cases do you review?

Diagnostic delay and vision loss, cataract and refractive surgery complications, retinal detachment, glaucoma, surgical and treatment complications, ocular trauma, causation versus pre-existing disease, impairment and disability rating, and product-liability or toxic-exposure eye injury.

What will I receive?

A candid verbal opinion after the initial merit screen, followed as needed by signed reports, affidavits, and deposition or trial testimony grounded in the medical record.

How do we start?

A short conflict-check call at no cost, then a review of key records and a straightforward opinion on where the case stands.

No obligation

Discuss then decide.

Tell me about your case and where it stands. We'll see if I'm the right fit, run a conflict check at no cost to you, then talk through next steps together.