David A. Fetter, M.D. davidmd@fetter.com dfetter@expertorthopedic.com Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon Actively Practicing (IL) 847.599.9500 (WI) 262.697.9500 2626 Washington Street Waukegan, Illinois 60085 Other Locations Rockford, Illinois and Madison, Wisconsin Frequently Asked Questions Are you still an active clinician? Yes, I continue to be an active clinician, including performing orthopedic surgery, as I have practiced since 1978. When were you first retained to testify as an expert? In 1997, I was selected as an Orthopedic Consultant by the Office of the Inspector General, Bureau of Medical Quality Assurance, for the State of Illinois. What are the most common cases on which you are consulted? I am frequently consulted on issues of causation. I have been involved as an expert on a variety of orthopedic cases — cases included indications for procedures performed, and standard of care. The causation cases have frequently involved auto and work related claims. I interpret the orthopedic scientific literature, and make a clear distinction between exacerbation, aggravation, and causation, of injury and disease. Do you conduct Independent Medical Evaluations? Yes. My opinion is unbiased, and objective, as relates to causation, impairment, and disability. I make a clear distinction the difference between Impairment and Disability. Have you ever been disqualified as an Expert? Faced a Daubet challenge? Neither. Do you perform peer review? Yes. I am a consultant to multiple nationwide peer review companies. A complete list of peer review companies I provide Independent Orthopedic consultative services is available upon request. What is your experience with personal injury cases? I have been in orthopedic surgery continuous private practice since completing my fellowship in 1978. I have now treated over 125,000 patients. Many of these patients were involved in either auto or other injury cases, including workers compensation. I have been requested on an increasing basis, to opine on causation in complex orthopedic cases. Are you generally an expert witness for the plaintiff or for the defense? I have been retained for both plaintiff and the defense and attempt to assist both sides in understanding the orthopedic key issues. What special honors have you received in orthopedic surgery? I was selected a Fellow in Orthopedic Surgery at a Harvard Medical School Affiliated Hospital. I have been elected to Fellowship in the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, and the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians. I have been elected to membership in The Mid-America Orthopedic Association, and the Illinois Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. I received a lifetime board certification by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and an additional lifetime certification in Impairment and Disability Rating by the American Academy of Disability Evaluating Physicians. I was selected to contribute to the (second) 2014 edition of the "AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Disease and Injury Causation". I am currently a teaching faculty menber of AADEP, in regard to Orthopedic Causation, and of the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (sixth edition).