Neuropsychological Evaluations in Personal Injury Cases

When a case turns on whether a person has a neurocognitive disorder, how likely it is attributable to the incident, how severe it is, and what it means for the person’s life and work, a forensic neuropsychological evaluation gives decision makers objective data. The same questions apply to psychological conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression. Dr. Jonathan Gross, Psy.D., provides forensic neuropsychological evaluations of adults in personal injury cases for plaintiff and defense counsel across Florida.

Dr. Gross is a fellowship-trained neuropsychologist. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship in the brain injury program at Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital and spent ten years evaluating and treating veterans with traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder through the VA community care network.

• Is a neurocognitive disorder present, and how severe is it?
• How likely is it that the neuropsychological symptoms are attributable to the incident?
• To what extent are the neuropsychological symptoms related to other factors, such as pain, sleep problems, medication, mood, or a condition that existed before the incident?
• Are psychological conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety or depression present, how severe are they, and how likely is it that they are attributable to the incident?
• Are the reported symptoms and the test performance valid?
• How do the findings affect work, daily functioning and future care?
• Was a prior neuropsychological evaluation sound, including test selection, norms, validity testing and interpretation?

Motor vehicle collisions, falls and premises liability, workplace injuries and assaults, from concussion to moderate and severe brain injury.

Mild traumatic brain injury cases are often the most contested. When complaints persist after a concussion, the evaluation weighs every factor that may explain them, including the nature and course of the injury, chronic pain, sleep, depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress and symptom validity, against the testing and the full record. The report explains which factors the data support.

• Review of medical, school, employment and prior testing records
• A detailed interview covering history before and after the incident
• Standardized testing of attention, memory, language, processing speed, executive functioning and motor skills
• Embedded and stand-alone measures of symptom and performance validity
• Assessment of behavioral functioning, including psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety and posttraumatic stress
• A written report that answers the referral questions in plain language

Dr. Gross testifies at deposition, trial and hearings, and explains technical findings in clear, plain language. As a consulting expert, he reviews opposing neuropsychological reports and test data, identifies strengths and weaknesses in testing and interpretation, and helps counsel prepare for depositions and cross-examination.

Dr. Gross’s primary office is in Jacksonville, Florida. Evaluations can also be scheduled in Tampa, Orlando, Miami, Tallahassee and other Florida cities, closer to the examinee, counsel and the court. See all evaluation locations.

Call (904) 437-5176 or email admin@bhnorthflorida.com. Download the fee schedule and retention agreement or Dr. Gross’s CV.