My story
Built at the Intersection of Medicine and Law
I'm David J. Carlson, MD, FACS — a board-certified general surgeon with years of experience managing complex surgical cases and trauma. Crossroads Medical Legal Consulting was founded to give attorneys a physician partner who understands both the complexity of medicine and the demands of litigation.
My mission
Clarity Where It Matters Most
The medical issues at the heart of litigation are often the most consequential — and the most difficult to communicate. Crossroads was founded on the conviction that attorneys deserve a physician partner who can bridge that gap: someone who understands the medicine at the deepest level, knows how the legal process works, and is committed to delivering the clarity that moves cases forward.
I work alongside legal teams as an invested partner, not an outside vendor. My approach is methodical, transparent, and always focused on the specific needs of your matter. Whether you need a thorough record review, a defensible expert opinion, or ongoing consultation through trial, I bring the same standard of clinical precision and professional integrity to every engagement.
Physician-Level Expertise
As a licensed physician, I bring the full scope of medical training and diagnostic authority — the standard courts and opposing counsel expect.
Legal Clarity
I translate complex medical findings into language that is clear, precise, and ready for legal strategy and presentation.
Collaborative Partnership
I work with your team, not around it — maintaining open communication and adapting to the evolving needs of your matter.
Professional Integrity
My opinions are objective, defensible, and grounded in the facts of the case — never shaped by the desired outcome.
Credentials & expertise
The Clinical Foundation Behind Every Engagement
Crossroads Medical Legal Consulting is led by David J. Carlson, MD, FACS — a board-certified general surgeon with years of experience managing complex surgical cases and trauma. That clinical background is the foundation of every engagement.
In complex litigation, courts and opposing counsel expect medical opinions to come from a physician. While nurse practitioners and physician assistants play an important role in patient care, they are generally not qualified to render the kind of medical opinions that carry weight in legal proceedings. Working with a physician ensures your expert testimony meets the standard the courtroom demands.
I have supported attorneys in personal injury, medical malpractice, and workers' compensation matters — providing both the analytical depth of a thorough clinical review and the communication skills required for deposition and trial.
Practice areas
- Personal injury and trauma
- Medical malpractice and standard of care
- Workers' compensation
- Pharmaceutical and product liability
Let's Work Together
If you have a matter that requires a physician's clinical insight, I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss how Crossroads can support your legal team.