This case involves a dispute over an estate held by an elderly man who suffered from severe back pain. He had been taking analgesics for several months when he made the decision to amend his estate to exclude his daughter. The excluded daughter alleged that the analgesics altered her father’s mental state and interfered with his ability to make rational decisions. An expert in pain management was sought to review the medications the man was taking when he amended his estate and determine what, if any, effect they may have had on his decision-making capacity.
Question(s) For Expert Witness
1. What analgesic medications and dosages are typically implicated in reducing an adult's capacity?
Expert Witness Response E-088816
I am in the full-time clinical practice of pain management and still practice anesthesiology. I have current board certifications in emergency medicine, anesthesiology, and have dual recognized board certifications in pain management. My credentials also include two past clinical faculty positions, current teaching of pain management techniques for an international society, and lecturing. I am an experienced expert witness, and I perform high-quality record reviews and reports. The appropriate medications for a patient depend on the pain management needs, circumstances, effects, and tolerance. The medication regimen is specific to each patient. There is not a typical dose or combination that universally causes altered mental capacity. It is well within my area of expertise to evaluate this case for the appropriateness of medications. I would also anticipate forming opinions on whether it was more likely than not to have a significant negative effect on her mental capacity. It seems unlikely that a medication regimen would have a significant impact on someone in regards to altering their estate planning.
About the author
Victoria Negron
Victoria Negron has extensive experience in journalism and thought leadership in the legal space, with a background crafting content, whitepapers, webinars, and current event articles pertaining to the role of expert witnesses in complex litigation matters. She is a skilled professional specializing in B2B product marketing and content marketing. Currently, she serves as an Enterprise Product Marketing Manager at Postman, and previously held the position of Technical Product Marketing Manager at Palantir Technologies, where she developed her skills in launch strategies, go-to-market strategy, and competitive analysis.
Her expertise in content marketing was further refined during her tenure at the Expert Institute, where she progressed from a Marketing Writer to Senior Content Marketing Manager, and eventually to Associate Director of Content & Product Marketing. In these roles, she honed her abilities in digital marketing, SEO, content strategy, and thought leadership.
Educationally, Victoria holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature, Art, and Hispanic Studies from Hamilton College. Her diverse educational background and professional experience have equipped her with a robust skill set in product marketing, content development, and strategic marketing initiatives.
