For physicians
How to Become a Plastic Surgery Expert Witness
Attorneys need practicing plastic surgery physicians to review records and testify on standard of care. Here's what the work pays, what qualifies you, and how to get your first case.
2026 benchmark ranges. Full plastic surgery fee breakdown
Do you qualify?
- Active, unrestricted medical license
- Board certification in plastic surgery (or subspecialty)
- Recent clinical practice, typically within the last 3 to 5 years
- A current CV showing your training, appointments, and publications
- No requirement for prior testimony. First-time experts are welcome
How it works on Retain
01
Apply in two steps
Basic details plus your CV. The application takes under five minutes.
02
Get verified
Our team reviews your license, certification, and CV within 5 to 7 business days.
03
Set your fees
You control your rates. Plastic Surgery experts typically charge $500–$750/hr for review and $600–$850/hr for deposition.
04
Accept only cases you want
Law firms request you through Retain. You see the case type and jurisdiction before committing, and you keep 100% of your fees.
Common questions
How much do plastic surgery expert witnesses make?
Plastic Surgery expert witnesses typically earn $500–$750 per hour for record review, $600–$850 per hour for deposition testimony, and $6,000–$9,000 per day at trial. Even a few cases per year adds meaningful income without leaving practice.
Do I need testimony experience to start?
No. Most cases settle before trial, and record review is the bulk of the work. Attorneys regularly seek first-time experts with strong clinical credentials.
How much time does expert work take?
A typical case review takes 5 to 15 hours spread over weeks, on your schedule. You choose how many cases to accept.
Does it cost anything to join Retain?
No. Joining is free, you set your own fees, and you keep all of them. Retain charges law firms for the search, not experts.
Ready to put your plastic surgery expertise to work?
Free to join. Five-minute application. You set the fees.
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