Med-legal · Pain Medicine & PM&R

Expert witness. QME. IME. Opinions that hold up.

Dr. Raj Desai provides independent medical-legal evaluations as a double board-certified physiatrist and pain physician who still treats patients every week. His reports are built on the record, the examination and the AMA Guides, and are written to be defended at deposition.

01 · Services
01

Expert witness

Causation, standard of care, future medical needs and life care opinions in pain medicine and PM&R, with deposition and trial testimony.

Personal injury · civil litigation
02

QME / AME

California Qualified Medical Evaluator exams and reports: causation, MMI, impairment rating under the AMA Guides, apportionment and future medical care.

California workers’ compensation
03

Independent medical exams

Objective in-person IMEs with a focused history, full musculoskeletal and neurological exam, and a clear written opinion.

Carriers · TPAs · employers · attorneys
04

Record review

Records-only reviews, supplemental reports and rebuttals, including interventional procedure and neuromodulation necessity.

All parties
Case types
Spine injury Chronic pain Complex regional pain syndrome Neuropathy Joint injury Motor vehicle Workplace injury Spinal cord stimulator & implants
02 · Approach

From referral to testimony

01
Conflict check & intake Availability, conflicts and the fee agreement are confirmed within one business day.
02
Record review Every record is read and summarized, and gaps are flagged early so missing records can be requested.
03
Evaluation In-person examinations, where required, at offices in the Los Angeles area and on the Central Coast.
04
Report Reasoned, cited opinions on causation, impairment and apportionment, written to withstand cross-examination.
05
Testimony Deposition and trial testimony, with preparation time scheduled in advance.
03 · Qualifications
Board certification Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation; Pain Medicine
Evaluator status California Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME)
Fellowship Pain Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
Residency PM&R, Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital — Chief Resident
Internship Internal Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Clinical practice Medical Director, Performance Sports & Spine, with an active interventional pain practice
Publications Peer-reviewed research and textbook chapters in pain medicine and PM&R
04 · Case inquiries

Retain Dr. Desai

Attorneys, adjusters and case managers: send the basics and our med-legal coordinator will confirm availability, conflicts and fees within one business day.

Please don't send medical records or other protected health information through this form. We'll provide a secure upload link once the case is accepted. Panel QME assignments are made through the DWC Medical Unit.

Email the office

Send your inquiry to office@performancesportsandspine.com. Include your name, firm, the type of matter and any deadline. Please do not send patient records by email. You'll hear back within two business days.

Email the office