Medical Expert's Conflict Of Interest

Dr. Jack W. Snyder was a physician, a licensed attorney and a full time senior official at the National Institute of Health (NIH). He also served as a medical expert witness in many criminal and civil cases across the United States, particularly as a witness for the defense of asbestos manufacturers. When he began working with the NIH, an ethics employee instructed him to stop doing this outside work as an expert witness, but he disregarded this for years.

Snyder got caught during a 2007 deposition with former Baron & Budd attorney Troy Chandler in an asbestos case concerning a welder who developed mesothelioma in the course of his work. During his sworn testimony, Snyder lied to downplay his role at the NIH and the corresponding conflicts of interest. He also lied by stating that available medical and scientific literature did not support a causal connection to cancer in even the most extreme cases of asbestos exposure.

Chandler wrote letters to Snyder’s boss at the NIH and to the Office of Inspector General to look into Snyder’s side work as a legal consultant. The U.S. Attorney’s office got involved as well, launching an investigation that ended with Snyder being convicted of making false statements on NIH financial disclosure forms.

Excerpted from mestheliomanews.com.