Forensic & Litigation Support

Medical Speech-Language Pathology Expert Witness

Objective analysis, evidence-based reports, and credible testimony for medical malpractice litigation.

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|  Forensic SLP: Brooke Richardson

Brooke Richardson, MS, CCC-SLP, is a medical speech-language pathologist with clinical experience in adult acute care and ICU settings since 2009. Her work in continuing education for medical SLPs, paired with an emphasis on understanding a patient's complete medical picture during evaluation and treatment, has shaped her comprehensive approach to case review. She speaks and mentors internationally on respiratory muscle training and medical speech-language pathology practice.

Brooke is certified by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ASHA). She earned her Master of Science in Medical Speech-Language Pathology (MedSLP) from the #3-ranked SLP program at The University of Washington.
Tap to view Brooke's curriculum vitae.
Forensic SLP expert witness Brooke Richardson
  • Acute care & intensive care unit (ICU)
  • Adult & geriatric
  • Aphasia
  • Aspiration
  • Brain injury
  • Cardiac and cardiothoracic surgery
  • Choking
  • Cognitive-communication impairments
  • Delirium
  • Dementia
  • Dysarthria and communication
  • Dysphagia
  • General medical complexity
  • ICU / intensive care unit
  • Laryngeal / vocal cord impairments, such as paralysis
  • Long-term acute care hospital (LTAC / LTACH)
  • Neck & spine surgery   
  • Neurological disease (ALS, Parkinson's, myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barre, etc)
  • Oncology & cancer
  • Prolonged intubation
  • Post-surgical including cardiac, cardiothoracic, abdominal/gut, neurosurgery/spine, ACDF
  • Pulmonary and lung disease (COPD, weakness, general breathing problems, etc)
  • Rare diseases and disorders
  • Rehabilitation
  • Renal & kidney
  • Respiratory muscle weakness & training
  • Sepsis and prolonged critical illness
  • Skilled nursing facility (SNF)
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Subacute rehabilitation
  • Stroke
  • Swallowing & swallowing disorders
  • Tracheostomy & ventilator
  • Trauma (general)
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Retained for a case involving a diagnosis that is not listed here? There are too many medical conditions to list on one website. Email to inquire.

  • Acute care & intensive care unit speech pathology
  • Best practice in speech pathology
  • Comprehensive chart & case review
  • Effective communication
  • Forensic speech-language pathologist
  • Hospital speech pathology
  • Patient, family, and care partner education & training
  • Professional speaking engagements
  • Speech-language pathologist expert witness
  • Standard of care in speech pathology
  • Written & verbal communication

Comprehensive medical record review

Detailed review of medical and therapy records, with meticulous timeline analysis.

Evidence-based literature research

Critical review of the latest peer-reviewed clinical studies, institutional consensus guidelines, and up-to-date research to establish objective benchmarks for the Standard of Care.

Impartial case viability assessment

Cross-referencing case facts against medical evidence to provide an objective determination on whether a breach occurred and directly caused the alleged damages.

Expert report preparation

Highly structured, legally articulate formal written reports detailing qualifications, clinical methodologies, and evidence-supported final opinions.

Deposition and trial testimony

Delivering clear, authoritative, and scientifically sound testimony capable of educating a jury and withstanding cross-examination.

Brooke's services are available to both plaintiff and defense counsel. Findings are based on the clinical record, applicable standard of care, and current best evidence. This can include an opinion that the standard of care was met, or that a case does not support a claim of breach. Case review and interpretation is based on the facts of the case and applicable standard of care, independent of which side has retained her. 

Inquiries & Contact

To discuss a case or for additional information, please send an email.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

A medical SLP expert witness reviews clinical records and offers a professional opinion on the standard of care provided by a speech-language pathologist. Medical SLP expert witnesses are typically retained in cases involving dysphagia, aspiration/choking, airway/tracheostomy.

Speech-language pathologists are trained specifically in swallowing, airway safety, and communication function, areas that fall outside the scope of most physician or nursing experts. When a case involves aspiration/choking, dysphagia management, or communication deficits following a medical event, an SLP can speak directly to the applicable standard of care in a way a general medical expert typically cannot.

Case review spans a wide range of adults with medical complexities across a wide range of healthcare settings. Brooke's expertise positions her best to address care in acute care and ICU; long-term acute care (LTACH); skilled nursing (SNF) and subacute rehab; acute rehabilitation; home health; long-term care; and outpatient settings.

Medical cases are complex and often multifactorial. Populations may include neurologic, cardiac, respiratory, and other medically complex adult populations with dysphagia, aspiration, and communication disorders. See the list of populations above under Areas of Clinical Expertise.

Both. Objective case review and professional analysis is conducted based on the clinical record, independent of which side has retained Brooke.

Records review, analysis, and written reports are the core service. Deposition and trial testimony are available as cases require.

No; Brooke can be retained by attorneys only. However, you may provide Brooke's contact information and/or a link to this website to your plaintiff attorney.

Yes. Findings follow the facts of the clinical record and current best evidence rather than the outcome either side is hoping for. A review may support a claim, may not support it, or may identify that certain elements are supported while others aren't.

No; Brooke can be retained by attorneys only. However, you may provide Brooke's contact information and/or a link to this website to your defense attorney.

It begins with an initial inquiry and conflict check. This is followed by a scope of work agreement, then records review. A written report follows if the case calls for one.

A standardized fee schedule applies regardless of which side retains the expert. Rates are shared directly with inquiring attorneys.

Availability varies depending on clinical work and other active professional engagements. Please email to inquire. If you have a specific timeframe in mind, please include that information in your email.

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