Addiction Medicine and the Law: How to Become an Expert Witness
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Register
- Non-Member - $39
- Regular Member - $29
- Retired - $29
- Early Career Physician - $29
- Resident - $19
- Student - $19
- Associate - $19
- ASAM Staff - Free!
- International Member - $29
- Emeritus Member - $29
- Provisional Member - $29
- Fellow Member - $29
- Honorary Member - $29
- CRT Member - $29
Addiction Medicine and the Law: How to Become an Expert Witness
Recorded: Thursday, April 24, 2025 to Sunday, April 27, 2025
On-Demand Session
Overview
This 75-minute on-demand session from the ASAM 56th Annual Conference addresses the process of becoming expert witnesses in the areas of Addiction Medicine/Psychiatry, Medical Toxicology, and Pain and Addiction, from defining types of legal cases and expert roles as cases go through the legal system to developing practical skills such as settting your scope of work and payment rates, creating expert reports, approaching depositions and court testimony - including common pitfalls to avoid.
An expert witness is a professional with specialized knowledge, skills, or experience who provides expert opinions in legal proceedings to help judges and juries understand complex issues that are relevant to the case. Participants will learn about getting started as an expert witness, setting payment rates, types of legal cases, advertising your services, creating an expert report, depositions, court testimony, and common pitfalls to avoid. Panel members will discuss cases to demonstrate the role of the Addiction Medicine expert witness.
The target audience for this Introductory level session includes physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, other clinicians, researchers, residents, fellows, students, and counselors.
This session addresses the following ACGME Competencies:Professionalism, Systems-based Practice.
This session addresses the following IPEC Competencies: Roles and Responsibilities, Interprofessional Communication.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion, learners will be able to:
- Discuss legal issues in Addiction Medicine practice, including impact on professionals, patients, families, and the court system.
- Identify the qualifications of an Addiction Medicine expert witness and contributions to the U.S. legal system.
- Recognize different settings where a practicing Addiction Medicine professional can participate in legal case work as a form of professional development.
Registration Rates
| Rate Description | Rate |
| ASAM Member | $29 |
| Non-Member | $39 |
| Associate Member | $19 |
| Resident Member* | $19 |
| Student Member* | $19 |
*Residents, Fellows-in-training, Interns, and Students must join ASAM to receive a discounted registration rate. Click here to become an ASAM member. National and Chapter membership dues apply. There is no charge for Students to become a Member, but verification of student status is required.
Membership Question? Call ASAM at 1.301.656.3920, email us, or view the ASAM website for more information.
Refunds & Cancellations
All ASAM eLearning Center refund requests must be made in writing to education@asam.org within 90 days of purchase. Those requesting refunds for courses that are in progress will receive partial refunds or e-Learning Center credit. Automatic full refunds will be made for any course with a live-course component that has been cancelled.
Registration Open: 05/26/2025 - 04/26/2028
User Access Closed: 05/26/2028
Course Instructions
- Click on the Contents tab to watch the on-demand recording.
- Click Complete Post Test to answer multiple choice questions. Participants will have 10 attempts to pass and must answer 4 out of 5 questions correctly.
- Click Complete Evaluation to provide valuable activity feedback. Scroll down on all questions as there may be answer options that expand past the size of the window.
- Click the button Claim Medical Credits in the box titled Claim Credits & Certificate. Choose the type of credit and click submit. Click the button View/Print Certificate to save or print your certificate. You can view/print your certificate at any time by visiting the ASAM eLearning Center, clicking Dashboard, and clicking Transcript/Achievements.
- For Pharmacists ONLY: Complete the task entitled "Enter Pharmacist CPE Monitor Information (Pharmacists Only)". Pharmacists must claim credit and provide their eProfile ID and Birthdate via the Pharmacist CPE Monitor Information survey within 30 days of completing the activity. ASAM will not report CPE Credits claimed 30+ days after activity completion to ACPE. ASAM will not report CPE Credits without accurate and complete information. Courses offering CPE Credit will indicate the amount of credit available for pharmacists on the Credits & Disclosure Tab.
Need Assistance?
For assistance logging in, accessing activities, claiming credit, or for other questions or concerns, please check the FAQ page or e-mail Education@ASAM.org
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Michael F. Weaver
MD, DFASAM
Michael Weaver, MD, DFASAM is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Medical Director of the Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addiction (CNRA) at the McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). He received his M.D. degree from Northeast Ohio Medical University, and completed Residency in Internal Medicine and a Clinical Research Fellowship in Addiction Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System, and he is Board-certified in Internal Medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine and certified in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Preventive Medicine. Dr. Weaver is the Sub-Board Chair for Addiction Medicine on the American Board of Preventive Medicine, and also serves as the Chair of the Examination Committee for certification in Addiction Medicine. He has been a member of ASAM for over 20 years and has been a member of the Publications Council and the Annual Conference Program Planning Committee. He is currently involved in patient care, medical education, and research. Dr. Weaver sees patients in the Innovations Addiction Treatment Clinic at the Texas Medical Center in Houston.
He has extensive experience teaching about addiction to medical students, residents, and community professionals at all levels. He has been involved in multiple research projects, and currently is collaborating with other researchers in the CNRA on studies involving cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, and electronic cigarettes. Dr. Weaver has multiple publications in the field of addiction medicine, including the book "Addiction Treatment" published by Carlat Publishing in 2017.
Kelly Clark, MD, MBA, DLFAPA, DFASAM
President
Addiction Crisis Solutions
Board certified in both addiction medicine and psychiatry, Kelly J. Clark, MD, MBA, is a past president of ASAM and the leader of the ASAM Forensic Medicine Special Interest Group. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Clark has worked broadly throughout the behavioral health care sector including as a payer, in pharma,and in multisttae medical groups. Currently she is working in three major areas: forensic (medico-legal) work; assisting organizations with their quality care and growth; and continuing her volunteer portfolio focused around innovation, quality, policy and payment reform.
Dr. Clark has served as expert for the largest medical criminal fraud case brought by the US DOJ (US v. Perez (Rural Hospital case)), and the largest medical criminal fraud case brought against a single doctor (US v. Michael Ligotti), as well as multiple other criminal cases for prosecution and defense. In civil cases, she has worked both plaintiff and defense sides of cases involving malpractice, wrongful death, and wasteful and abusive billing practices. Her most recent trial appearance was as witness for Cigna against Biohealth Labs et al, where a jury awarded $7.6M return payments to Cigna.
Timothy J. Wiegand
MD, FACMT, FAACT, DFASAM
Timothy J. Wiegand, MD, FACMT, FAACT, DFASAM, specializes in Medical Toxicology and Addiction Medicine. He is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Director of the Toxicology/Addiction Consult Service at Strong Memorial Hospital and the University of Rochester Medical Center. He is Program Director for the URMC Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program, based out of the Department of Emergency Medicine and core faculty for their Emergency Medicine residency. Dr. Wiegand is also Medical Director for Huther Doyle, an addiction services provider in Rochester, New York.
In addition to ED, hospital, and clinic work treating intoxication, withdrawal, and assisting with pain management for patients maintained on Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Dr. Wiegand is involved with education and research in toxicology and addiction and he lectures locally, nationally, and internationally. Dr. Wiegand serves on the ASAM Board of Directors as Vice President; he is President of NYSAM and he is completing a second term on the Board of the American College of Medical Toxicology.
Dr. Wiegand serves in a volunteer capacity for many local, state, and national committees. He has been awarded the Charlotte Hegedus Award from the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence for professionals who have consistently demonstrated high level of cooperative work with individuals or groups with substance use disorders for at least five years. Dr. Wiegand is the 2022 awardee of the American Society of Addiction Medicine Annual Award. This award is given to an individual for outstanding contributions to the growth and vitality of ASAM, for thoughtful leadership in the field, and for a deep understanding of the art and science of Addiction Medicine.” And “for expanding the frontiers of the field of Addiction Medicine and broadening our understanding of the addictive process, through research and innovation.” He was also awarded the 2022 ACMT Service Award.
Accreditation & Credit Designation Statements
Joint Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, the American Society of Addiction Medicine is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Physicians
The American Society of Addiction Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Nurses
This activity awards 1.25 Nursing contact hours.
PAs
ASAM has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1.25 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.25 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 05/06/2028. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Pharmacists
This activity will offer 1.25 pharmacy contact hours (.125 CEUs). Pharmacists will be asked to provide identifying information (e-Profile ID and DOB in MMDD format) in order to receive credit and allow reporting to CPE Monitor. (UAN: JA0000141-0000-25-021-H01)
Note for pharmacists: Not all courses offer CPE Credit. For courses that do offer CPE Credit, pharmacists must claim credit and provide their eProfile ID and Birthdate via the Pharmacist CPE Monitor Information survey within 30 days of completing the activity.
ASAM will not report CPE Credits claimed 30+ days after activity completion to ACPE. ASAM will not report CPE Credits without accurate and complete information.
Social Workers
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, ASAM is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. Social workers completing this course receive 1.25 general continuing education credits.
IPCE Credit
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 1.25 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
California Association for Drug/Alcohol Educators (CAADE)
This educational program is approved by CAADE: #CP40 999 1225.
California Association of DUI Treatment Centers (CADTP)
This educational program is approved by CADTP: #205.
California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP)
This educational program is approved by CCAPP: #OS-20-330-1224.
Other Professions - Continuing Education Credits (CEUs)
Upon completion of the activity and online evaluation, all other participants may request a certificate of participation. Participants may submit this certificate of participation to their professional organization/institute as documentation for completing this accredited continuing activity.
Maintenance of Certification (MOC) or Continuing Certification Programs (CCP)
This activity is designed to meet the requirements for MOC/CCP for several primary physician boards and for state licensing CME requirements. MOC Credit is only reported and designated for ABA, ABIM, ABP and ABS. By completing the online credit claim and evaluation, the learner permits ASAM to report credits to the appropriate Board. Learn more.
American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.25 Medical Knowledge MOC points and patient safety MOC credit in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
This activity offers up to 1.25 CME credits, of which 1.25 credits contribute the patient safety CME component of the American Board of Anesthesiology’s redesigned Maintenance of Certification in AnesthesiologyTM (MOCA®) program, known as MOCA 2.0®. Please consult the ABA website, www.theABA.org, for a list of all MOCA 2.0 requirements.
Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology® and MOCA® are registered certification marks of the American Board of Anesthesiology®
American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 1.25 Medical Knowledge MOC points and patient safety MOC credit in the American Board of Internal Medicine's (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.
American Board of Pediatrics (ABP)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn up to 1.25 MOC points in the American Board of Pediatrics’ (ABP) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABP MOC credit.
American Board of Preventive Medicine (ABPM)
This activity has been designed to satisfy the Lifelong Professional Development requirements of The American Board of Preventive Medicine’s Continuing Certification (CCP) requirements. These credits are not reported directly to ABPM. Please save your certificate for your records.
American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN)
This activity has been designed to satisfy the CME requirements of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology’s Continuing Certification (CC) requirements. These credits are not reported directly to ABPN. Please save your certificate for your records.
American Board of Surgery (ABS)
Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery’s Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider's responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC)
The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada will recognize activities registered for CME for MOC as meeting the requirements for Royal College MOC Program Section 3 (Self-Assessment Programs) credits. Visit CME that Counts for Royal College MOC for more information.
Disclosure Information
In accordance with the disclosure policies of ASAM and Joint Accreditation, the effort is made to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all accredited continuing education activities. These policies include identifying and mitigating all relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies for those involved in the creation and dissemination of accredited continuing education. Click here to view the full disclosure listing.
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