Sanjay Adhia, MD

Clinical and Forensic Psychiatrist

Expert Witness

Medico-Legal Consultant

Additional qualifications in Brain Injury Medicine, Neuropsychiatry and Psychopharmacology 

Dr. Adhia is among fewer than a dozen Forensic Psychiatrists in the U.S. who hold Board Certification in the 3 disciplines: Brain Injury Medicine (BIM,) Forensic Psychiatry and Psychiatry.

Board-Certification. Dr. Adhia is Board Certified in Forensic Psychiatry, Brain Injury Medicine and Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He holds subspecialty certifications described below.

Dr. Adhia evaluates as an Expert Witness, private Forensic Consultant to attorneys, and has an active practice as a Clinical Psychiatrist.

Clinical Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatry and Patient Care. 

Brain Injuries, Stroke and Spinal Cord Injuries.  TIRR Memorial Hermann. Dr. Adhia treats patients with neuropsychiatric complications of brain injuries and stroke at renowned TIRR Memorial Hermann, a hospital and research leader.

Psychiatric Treatment.  Dr. Adhia treats psychiatric patients at Avenue 360, a Houston clinic that provides health care to underserved populations such as HIV positive, LGBQT and homeless patients.

Previously, he served as Medical Director at PACE, a private psychiatric care clinic. Prior to PACE, Dr. Adhia treated inmates in Texas corrections facilities including capital offenders in maximum security and death row inmates.

Credentials, Education and Qualifications. 

Specialty Credentials. Dr. Adhia is a certified Medical Review Officer (MRO) qualified to evaluate and interpret drug testing, toxicology and laboratory results. He also holds a Buprenorphine Waiver from the HHS to treat opioid addiction.

Governor Appointment. Dr. Adhia is an appointed and senate-confirmed member of the State of Texas Governor’s Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments. 

Academic.  Dr. Adhia is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). 

Volunteer.  Dr. Adhia volunteers with Physicians for Human Rights – Asylum Network (forensic evaluations in human trafficking cases,) and Daya Houston, a clinic treating South Asian survivors of sexual and domestic abuse.

Education. Dr. Adhia completed his Fellowship in Forensic Psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University in 2014 (one of fewer than 30 programs in the U.S.), and residency in Psychiatry at the University of Kansas Medical Center and University of Texas Health and Sciences Center.

Recently in the News:

Astroworld Concert Results in 10 Deaths

“Astroworld Festival tragedy death toll rises to 10: ‘This was a blood bath'” ABC Houston, Astroworld Tragedy

“…a Houston music festival turned deadly, questions have emerged about who should be held accountable.” CNN reports

Astroworld Victims Barti Shahani and Mirza Danish Baig

Pakistani-American Mirza Danish Baig and 1st generation Indian-American Barti Shahani were among 10 who died in the Astroworld tragedy in November 2021. Shahani’s mother  shares her grief with news reporters. The culturally diverse Houston crowd, and 100s of lawsuits filed, may spotlight how cultures experience grief, loss and fear differently. Houston coverage of Astroworld’s latest victims

$21M Verdict Against Philip Morris Upheld

“Massachusetts’ top court on Wednesday ruled that the 1990s settlement between states and major tobacco companies did not bar the wife of a deceased smoker from recovering $10 million in punitive damages from Altria Group’s Philip Morris USA Inc unit.”  Read more from Reuters News

Lawsuit Filed in Florida Building Collapse That Killed 98

New claims in collapse of Champlain Towers, a “Construction of a luxury building next door triggered the collapse of an already fragile Florida condominium that killed 98 people in June, according to a new lawsuit filed 11/16/21 on behalf of Champlain Towers South victims and family members.” ABC news reports

Astroworld Concert Results in 10 Deaths

“Astroworld Festival tragedy death toll rises to 10: ‘This was a blood bath'” ABC Houston, Astroworld Tragedy

“…a Houston music festival turned deadly, questions have emerged about who should be held accountable.” CNN reports

DR. ADHIA’S PRACTICE

TOPICS FOR LAWYERS

Emotional Distress Damages

An emotionally traumatic experience can impact psychiatric health or mental illness, including PTSD. Malingering is always a consideration. Read more about trauma. Read more about emotional distress, depression and other mood disorders.

Brain Injuries and Dementia

TBI, Concussion and Dementia are Brain Injury Medicine medical-legal issues. discussed are CTST, NGRI, Culpability, Vulnerability to Fraud. More about Brain Injuries. Degenerative diseases include Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. More about Understanding Dementia and Medical-Legal Implications.

Medical Malpractice

Dr. Adhia discusses medical malpractice in allegations of negligence, standard of care, and failure to follow protocol. Medical-Malpractice Case Studies. and medical malpractice assessment.

Competency

Competency or Capacity assessment is relevant in allegations of Undue Influence, Contractual and Testamentary Capacity. This can be evaluated before or after death. Dr. Adhia considers all relevant medical diagnoses.  Read more.

Drug or Alcohol Factors

Addiction or use of drugs, willing or unwilling, can factor in DUI, Probate, Criminal cases. Read more.

Mood Disorder vs. Personality Disorder: Legal Implications

Mood Disorders include Depression and Bipolar Disorder. Personality Disorders are different. PTSD is neither! Some or all may follow an experience, or can influence behavior. Dr. Adhia delves deeper. Read More.

Crime

Psychiatric culpability in the commission of a crime, CTST, Restoration, discussed by an Expert Witness in criminal and corrections cases. Read more.

Fitness for Duty & Occupational Health

Emotional health and job performance assessment by a Forensic Psychiatrist is discussed. Read more.

Occupational

Military

Civil Litigation

Criminal

Correctional

Services

w
Independent Medical Examinations
i
Review medical and legal records
Written Reports
Expert findings and medico-legal opinion

Testimony

g

The Future:

  • Prognosis
  • Treatment Planning
  • Restoration

Is it Possible To Be “Made Whole?”

Legal Consultant

  • Case assessment, psychiatric factors.
  • Decode opinions by other experts.
  • Mitigation.
  • Assist attorneys to get the most out of a deposition.

More…

What Our Clients Say

Arturo Corsa, Esq.

“…Dr. Adhia was an excellent witness for our defense. A qualified expert, he traveled to Georgia from Texas on short notice and provided critical testimony regarding date rape drug effects and surreptitious methods of delivery in an involuntary intoxication case in Superior Court. The prosecution couldn’t touch him; but they will probably need him in the future.”

Arturo Corsa, Esq.
Corsa Law Center

Lee Burkstein, JD

"Dr. Adhia served as an expert witness in a difficult and complex Medical Board case. Dr. Adhia was quick on the draw, conscientious, and most importantly, authoritative and reliable."

Lee Burkstein, JD
Burkstein Legal Services

Jesse S. White, Esq.

“My client's will contest case involved a multi-million dollar estate. Dr. Adhia was retained as an expert forensic psychiatrist. His work was exemplary, and I would recommend him without hesitation to anyone seeking a highly qualified psychiatric expert.”

Jesse S. White, Esq.
Law Offices of Jesse S. White

Shiva Gill, Esq.

“Dr. Adhia worked with me on two cases involving immigration clients with mental incapacity… the court gave significant weight to his evaluation. I look forward to working with Dr. Adhia again.”

Shiva Gill, Esq.
Ms. Gill has had the honor of arguing before the Texas Supreme Court

Jim James, Esq.

“Even the prosecutor was impressed with the report. It was so thorough in fact that we reached an agreement that prevented the need for a trial.”

Jim James, Esq.
James & Reynolds, Attorneys at Law
{"video_yurl":"true"}

OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM

Clinical Practice

    • TIRR Memorial Hermann treating patients with spinal cord and brain injuries as a Psychiatrist and Brain Injury Medicine physician
    • Avenue 360 Health & Wellness, an FQHC clinic treating the Homeless, LGBTQ, Substance Use Disorders, those with HIV

Faculty Appointments / Teaching Experience

    • University of Texas Health and Science Center, Department of Psychiatry, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry (2019)
    • University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
    • University of Texas Health and Science Center, Lecturer in Forensic Psychiatry topics, Department of Psychiatry, mentor to residents in Forensic Psychiatry.

Government Service

Governor’s Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments, Appointed since 2019.

Educator

Dr. Adhia teaches and mentors residents about Forensic Psychiatry.

University of Texas Health-Science Center Sanjay Adhia MD Forensic Psychiatrist

Physicians for Human Rights Asylum Network

Dr. Adhia volunteers with PHR. He conducts forensic evaluations of victims of traumatic violence, kidnapping, rape, assault and human trafficking.

PHR

sad-depressed-moody-Dr-Adhia

Review of Medical and Legal Records

DUI-Liquor-Behavior-Alcohol-Brain-Head.

Knowledge Base

Dr. Adhia’s Experience & Expertise

Seeing-emotions-and-people-clearly

Forensic IME Independent Medical Examination (IME)

Pills-Medication.

Consulting to Attorneys

(Non-Disclosed expert)

Announcements

Texas Governor Appoints Dr. Adhia for Second Term

Dr. Adhia has been reappointed by Governor Abbott to serve a second term on the Texas Advisory Committee to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on Offenders with Medical or Mental  Health Impairments. He has served in this capacity since 2019. April 2021.

Dr. Adhia joins renowned TIRR Memorial Hermann Rehabilitation and Research hospital

Dr. Adhia joins TIRR Memorial Hermann to treat patients with brain injuries, stroke, and spinal injuries as a Psychiatrist and Brain Injury Medicine physician. November 2019-Current.

Dr. Adhia partners with Avenue 360 Health & Wellness

Dr. Adhia joins Avenue 360 Health & Wellness as a clinical Psychiatrist providing addiction medicine treatment to homeless, HIV and other disenfranchised populations. 30 years of treatment by former Houston Area Community Services and Bering Omega. February 2020.

Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Texas

Dr. Adhia is Appointed to Faculty as Assistant Professor of Psychiatry for the University of Texas, working with students at teaching hospital, TIRR Memorial Hermann, where he is also a clinical psychiatrist.
November 2019-Current

Houston Chronicle Heidi Broussard Baby Abduction case, Interview with Dr. Adhia

The Heidi Broussard Baby Kidnapping case caught national attention. Houston Chronicle’s Hannah Dellinger interviews Dr. Adhia about the case. January 2020.

IF YOU ARE AN ATTORNEY

Dr. Adhia welcomes inquiry from attorneys for plaintiff, defense or other party. Call to discuss your case and psychiatric factors in claims, damages, and liability.

Call (832) 746-5905