Contact this IME Doctor
- Company: Irvine Plastic Surgery Center
- Phone: (949) 278-6493
- Cell: (949) 278-6493
- Website: altmanmd.com
Other Locations: Santa Ana, California; San Juan Capistrano, California
Specialty 1: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Keywords/Search Terms: Donald I. Altman, M.D., M.B.A., M.L.S., is a board-certified plastic surgeon with 33+ years of private practice in Irvine, California. Now practicing part-time, he also serves as an Independent Medical Examiner (IME) and Expert Witness in plastic surgery. Dr. Altman is known for clear communication, objectivity, and detailed reporting. His expertise includes burn injuries, scalds, scars, cosmetic surgery complications, and dog bites. Based in Southern California.
Medical School: University of Illinois School of Medicine
License(s): California
Years in Practice: 33
Experience:- 30 years performing IMEs
- 20 IMEs performed
- Deposed/Testified 4 times
IME Certification: Certified American Board of Plastic Surgery; American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surger
IME Training: Board Certification and Clinical Experience
Additional Information
Donald I. Altman, M.D., M.B.A., M.L.S., is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than three decades of private practice experience in Irvine, California. He is certified in both Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. After a five-year medical leave during which he gained the unique perspective of being a patient himself, Dr. Altman has returned to part-time practice, focusing on Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) and Expert Witness work. Dr. Altman’s 71 out of 71 five-star Yelp reviews reflect not only his technical skill but also his unique ability to communicate complex medical issues. Extensive experience evaluating cosmetic surgery outcomes, scarring, burns, and revision needs. Impeccable malpractice history: zero settlements or payments in 33 years of practice. Recent IME Experience Scald Injury IME (San Diego County, Sept. 2025) – Defense-retained to examine and report on burn injury from a hot liquid spill at a drive-through restaurant. Recent SELECTED EXPERT WITNESS ENGAGEMENTS (PLASTIC SURGERY) Stingl v. Berman (Cal. Ct. App., 4th Dist., Div. 3, 2023) – Defense Expert. Authored plastic surgery standard-of-care declaration (Dec. 2021). Trial court granted summary judgment; affirmed on appeal. Confidential California Medical Board Administrative Matter (June 2025) – Defense Expert. Retained in defense of the respondent cosmetic surgeon in an administrative proceeding. Case resolved favorably. High-Profile Civil Defense Case (Los Angeles Superior Court, Sept. 2025) – Defense Expert. Retained as rebuttal/impeachment plastic surgery expert witness; not called to testify at trial. The case concluded with a favorable verdict in the defense's favor.