DEC of Texas

D.E.C.

Of Texas

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361-857-6157

D.E.C.

Of Texas

D.E.C.

Of Texas

Home

About

Services

How We Work

Our Specialists

Testimonials

FAQs

361-857-6157

D.E.C.

Of Texas

Objective medical insight for claim resolution.

Board-certified medical evaluations for complex claims. We combine ODG guidelines with clinical expertise to deliver defensible, evidence-based results.

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Founded over 33 years ago by Dr. Charles W. Kennedy Jr., DEC was established to bring surgical-grade precision to the medical-legal field.

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The DEC Approach

Reliable expertise for every stage of the claim.

DEC specializes in forensic medical evaluations that stand up to the highest legal and insurance scrutiny. From Independent Medical Evaluations to complex expert testimony, our board-certified team delivers the objective clarity needed to close cases with absolute confidence. Our center is designed, equipped, and staffed to produce the most accurate and cost-effective impairment evaluation reports in the industry.

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Explore our comprehensive evaluation service offerings

A tiered framework of medical-legal evaluations driven by evidence-based guidelines and specialized clinical expertise.

Workers' Compensation & Independent Medical Evaluations

Comprehensive medical-legal evaluations for Texas and out-of-state claims. We provide objective IMEs and certified MMI/IR assessments driven by ODG guidelines and evidence-based clinical data.

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Specialized Case Evaluations

Complex Legal Referrals

Workers' Compensation & Independent Medical Evaluations

Comprehensive medical-legal evaluations for Texas and out-of-state claims. We provide objective IMEs and certified MMI/IR assessments driven by ODG guidelines and evidence-based clinical data.

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Specialized Case Evaluations

Complex Legal Referrals

Workers' Compensation & Independent Medical Evaluations

Comprehensive medical-legal evaluations for Texas and out-of-state claims. We provide objective IMEs and certified MMI/IR assessments driven by ODG guidelines and evidence-based clinical data.

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Specialized Case Evaluations

Complex Legal Referrals

The standard for clinical objectivity and defensible results.

With over three decades of experience, DEC bridges the gap between complex medical data and definitive case resolution. Our process is built on a foundation of specialty expertise and a commitment to the highest industry standards.

30+

Years of Excellence

Serving the medical-legal community with a proven track record of reliable evaluations since 1997.

Board-Certified Experts

Access a multi-disciplinary panel of specialists covering Orthopedics, Neurology, Pain Medicine & Rehabilitation, Occupational Medicine, and more.

100%

Evidence-Based Focused

Every report is strictly cross-referenced with ODG Guidelines and the latest AMA Guides for maximum defensibility.

Our Specialist Network

Our Network of Medical Experts

DEC of Texas provides access to a premier panel of Board-Certified physicians and specialists. From Independent Medical Examinations (IMEs) to complex Impairment Ratings, our experts deliver objective, evidence-based evaluations across Texas and beyond.

Orthopaedic Surgeons

Pain Medicine & Rehab

Adult Neurology

Occupational Medicine

Chiropractors

Charles W. Kennedy Jr., MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Impairment Ratings: Specialized in AMA Guides 3rd, 3rd Revised, 5th, and 6th Editions.

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Experienced in Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, Second Opinions, Return to Work, Fit for Duty, and Out-of-State cases.
Federal Casework: Expert in Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act.
Disability & Liability: Reviews for Short-Term/Long-Term Disability, Auto liability, and comprehensive Peer Reviews.

Locations:

Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

Mark W. Richardson, MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Comprehensive evaluations for Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, and Out-of-State cases, including Second Opinions, Return to Work, and Fit for Duty assessments.

Federal Casework: Expert handling of Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act claims.
Disability & Liability: Qualified evaluations for Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, as well as Auto and Liability cases.
Medical Reviews: Conducts detailed Peer Reviews to ensure clinical accuracy and objective medical evidence.

Locations:

Dallas

Frank A. Luckay, MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Comprehensive evaluations including Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, Return to Work, Fit for Duty, Second Opinions, and Out-of-State cases.

Federal Casework: Specialized expertise in Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act.
Disability Evaluations: Experienced in assessing both Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) claims.
Medical Reviews: Thorough Peer Reviews regarding surgical necessity and clinical documentation.

Locations:

Corpus Christi

Dawn M. Grosser, MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Specialized Focus: Fellowship-trained expertise in Foot and Ankle pathology and surgical necessity.

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Comprehensive evaluations for Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, and Out-of-State cases, including Return to Work and Fit for Duty.
Federal Casework: Expert handling of Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act claims.
Disability & Liability: Evaluations for Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD), as well as Auto and Liability cases.
Peer Reviews: Thorough clinical reviews focused on musculoskeletal injuries and treatment plans.
Clinical Note: Dr. Grosser provides expert opinions exclusively for the upper and lower extremities; she does not opine on the spine.

Locations:

Dallas

Orthopaedic Surgeons

Pain Medicine & Rehab

Adult Neurology

Occupational Medicine

Chiropractors

Charles W. Kennedy Jr., MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Impairment Ratings: Specialized in AMA Guides 3rd, 3rd Revised, 5th, and 6th Editions.

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Experienced in Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, Second Opinions, Return to Work, Fit for Duty, and Out-of-State cases.
Federal Casework: Expert in Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act.
Disability & Liability: Reviews for Short-Term/Long-Term Disability, Auto liability, and comprehensive Peer Reviews.

Locations:

Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

Mark W. Richardson, MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Comprehensive evaluations for Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, and Out-of-State cases, including Second Opinions, Return to Work, and Fit for Duty assessments.

Federal Casework: Expert handling of Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act claims.
Disability & Liability: Qualified evaluations for Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, as well as Auto and Liability cases.
Medical Reviews: Conducts detailed Peer Reviews to ensure clinical accuracy and objective medical evidence.

Locations:

Dallas

Frank A. Luckay, MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Comprehensive evaluations including Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, Return to Work, Fit for Duty, Second Opinions, and Out-of-State cases.

Federal Casework: Specialized expertise in Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act.
Disability Evaluations: Experienced in assessing both Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) claims.
Medical Reviews: Thorough Peer Reviews regarding surgical necessity and clinical documentation.

Locations:

Corpus Christi

Dawn M. Grosser, MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Specialized Focus: Fellowship-trained expertise in Foot and Ankle pathology and surgical necessity.

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Comprehensive evaluations for Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, and Out-of-State cases, including Return to Work and Fit for Duty.
Federal Casework: Expert handling of Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act claims.
Disability & Liability: Evaluations for Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD), as well as Auto and Liability cases.
Peer Reviews: Thorough clinical reviews focused on musculoskeletal injuries and treatment plans.
Clinical Note: Dr. Grosser provides expert opinions exclusively for the upper and lower extremities; she does not opine on the spine.

Locations:

Dallas

Orthopaedic Surgeons

Pain Medicine & Rehab

Adult Neurology

Occupational Medicine

Chiropractors

Charles W. Kennedy Jr., MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Impairment Ratings: Specialized in AMA Guides 3rd, 3rd Revised, 5th, and 6th Editions.

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Experienced in Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, Second Opinions, Return to Work, Fit for Duty, and Out-of-State cases.
Federal Casework: Expert in Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act.
Disability & Liability: Reviews for Short-Term/Long-Term Disability, Auto liability, and comprehensive Peer Reviews.

Locations:

Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

Mark W. Richardson, MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Comprehensive evaluations for Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, and Out-of-State cases, including Second Opinions, Return to Work, and Fit for Duty assessments.

Federal Casework: Expert handling of Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act claims.
Disability & Liability: Qualified evaluations for Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, as well as Auto and Liability cases.
Medical Reviews: Conducts detailed Peer Reviews to ensure clinical accuracy and objective medical evidence.

Locations:

Dallas

Frank A. Luckay, MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Comprehensive evaluations including Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, Return to Work, Fit for Duty, Second Opinions, and Out-of-State cases.

Federal Casework: Specialized expertise in Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act.
Disability Evaluations: Experienced in assessing both Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) claims.
Medical Reviews: Thorough Peer Reviews regarding surgical necessity and clinical documentation.

Locations:

Corpus Christi

Dawn M. Grosser, MD

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Expertise:

Specialized Focus: Fellowship-trained expertise in Foot and Ankle pathology and surgical necessity.

Independent Medical Exams (IME): Comprehensive evaluations for Non-Subscriber, Industrial/Occupational, and Out-of-State cases, including Return to Work and Fit for Duty.
Federal Casework: Expert handling of Defense Base Act (DBA), Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA), and Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Act claims.
Disability & Liability: Evaluations for Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD), as well as Auto and Liability cases.
Peer Reviews: Thorough clinical reviews focused on musculoskeletal injuries and treatment plans.
Clinical Note: Dr. Grosser provides expert opinions exclusively for the upper and lower extremities; she does not opine on the spine.

Locations:

Dallas

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Ready to secure an objective evaluation?

Put our over 30 years of specialized expertise to work for your case. Whether you require a workers' compensation evaluation or a comprehensive panel of board-certified specialists, DEC provides the clinical clarity needed for definitive resolution.

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Our Areas of Expertise

Multidisciplinary expertise across the region.

Our network is comprised of elite, board-certified specialists and certified evaluators. We maintain a deep bench of clinical experts to ensure every case is matched with the appropriate medical authority and geographic requirement.

Long-term disability
Short-term disability
Permanent Partial disability
Defense Base Act
Federal Employee Compensation Act
Jones Act
Longshore & Harbor Workers' Act
Expert Testimony
Fitness for Duty
Independent Medical Examinations
Agreed Medical Examinations
AME/QME Specialist Consults
Electrodiagnostic Studies
Qualified Medical Examinations
Second Opinion Consults
MMI & IR Examindations
Out of State Workers' Compensation
Auto, Personal, and General Liability
Second Surgical Opinions
Pre-placement Evaluations
Department of Labor Claims
Pssychological Testing

Board-Certified Physicians

Our senior medical panel consists of eight board-certified physicians specializing in Orthopedic Surgery, PM&R, Neurology, and Occupational Medicine. This multidisciplinary team focuses on high-level IMEs and complex clinical reviews, providing the specialty-specific insight required for definitive medical-legal outcomes.

Certified Evaluation Specialists

Our team of four certified chiropractors specializes in MMI and IR Texas Workers’ Comp Evaluations under the AMA 4th Edition guidelines. These experts provide the precision and technical accuracy necessary for defensible impairment ratings, ensuring strict compliance with all state-mandated certification requirements.

Extensive Geographic Coverage

We provide a critical link between specialized medical expertise and the regions that need it most, covering over 50 Texas counties and numerous rural municipalities. Our logistical reach ensures that high-quality, objective evaluations are accessible to claimants in both major metropolitan hubs and underserved rural areas.

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Decades of specialized authority.

Established in 1992, DEC provides the Insurance, Legal, and Business communities with comprehensive evaluations. Our medical panel consists of board-certified physicians specifically trained by the International Academy of Independent Medical Evaluators (IAIME). Every DEC physician is prepared to provide expert testimony to support their stated medical findings and clinical opinions.

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A legacy of clinical objectivity.

Founded over 33 years ago by Dr. Charles W. Kennedy Jr., DEC was established to bring surgical-grade precision to the medical-legal field. As a board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon and a Fellow of the AAOS, Dr. Kennedy transitioned from a distinguished 30+ year surgical practice to become a definitive voice in disability evaluation. His influence on the industry is foundational; as the Senior Medical Editor of the Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) since 2002 and a pioneer of the DDE training program, he has spent decades shaping the evidence-based standards used across the country. Today, that same commitment to rigorous, defensible, and unbiased clinical data remains the cornerstone of every evaluation DEC performs.

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Trusted by the industry's leading firms

See why top-tier insurance carriers and law firms rely on DEC for clinical objectivity and case-winning clarity.

"DEC of Texas has been a pleasure to work with. Scheduling Independent Medical Exams is always easy and efficient, and their team is responsive and professional throughout the process. Their reports are consistently thorough, clear, and objective, which is extremely valuable. The convenience of their multiple locations across Texas makes coordination simple and flexible. We highly recommend DEC of Texas for IME services."
"DEC of Texas has been a pleasure to work with. Scheduling Independent Medical Exams is always easy and efficient, and their team is responsive and professional throughout the process. Their reports are consistently thorough, clear, and objective, which is extremely valuable. The convenience of their multiple locations across Texas makes coordination simple and flexible. We highly recommend DEC of Texas for IME services."
Seth Pordy
Scheduling Team Lead, JurisSolutions Inc.
"We confidently refer to DEC of Texas for Texas Workers Compensation MMI & IR examinations. They are able to schedule appointments quickly and deliver clear, evidence-based reports in a timely manner. Their thorough, unbiased reports help all parties reach medically appropriate decisions while minimizing delays and unnecessary disputes."
"We confidently refer to DEC of Texas for Texas Workers Compensation MMI & IR examinations. They are able to schedule appointments quickly and deliver clear, evidence-based reports in a timely manner. Their thorough, unbiased reports help all parties reach medically appropriate decisions while minimizing delays and unnecessary disputes."
Courtney Longoria
Alliance Health Resources Mobile Division
"DEC of Texas has been a pleasure to work with. Scheduling Independent Medical Exams is always easy and efficient, and their team is responsive and professional throughout the process. Their reports are consistently thorough, clear, and objective, which is extremely valuable. The convenience of their multiple locations across Texas makes coordination simple and flexible. We highly recommend DEC of Texas for IME services."
"DEC of Texas has been a pleasure to work with. Scheduling Independent Medical Exams is always easy and efficient, and their team is responsive and professional throughout the process. Their reports are consistently thorough, clear, and objective, which is extremely valuable. The convenience of their multiple locations across Texas makes coordination simple and flexible. We highly recommend DEC of Texas for IME services."
Seth Pordy
Scheduling Team Lead, JurisSolutions Inc.
"We confidently refer to DEC of Texas for Texas Workers Compensation MMI & IR examinations. They are able to schedule appointments quickly and deliver clear, evidence-based reports in a timely manner. Their thorough, unbiased reports help all parties reach medically appropriate decisions while minimizing delays and unnecessary disputes."
"We confidently refer to DEC of Texas for Texas Workers Compensation MMI & IR examinations. They are able to schedule appointments quickly and deliver clear, evidence-based reports in a timely manner. Their thorough, unbiased reports help all parties reach medically appropriate decisions while minimizing delays and unnecessary disputes."
Courtney Longoria
Alliance Health Resources Mobile Division

Common questions regarding our process

Refer a Case

What is the typical turnaround time for a final report?

Which evidence-based guidelines do your physicians follow?

Does DEC handle out-of-state or multi-jurisdictional claims?

How do I refer a new case to DEC?

Can DEC specialists provide expert testimony for litigation?

What medical specialties are included in your network?

What is the typical turnaround time for a final report?

Which evidence-based guidelines do your physicians follow?

Does DEC handle out-of-state or multi-jurisdictional claims?

How do I refer a new case to DEC?

Can DEC specialists provide expert testimony for litigation?

What medical specialties are included in your network?

What is the typical turnaround time for a final report?

Which evidence-based guidelines do your physicians follow?

Does DEC handle out-of-state or multi-jurisdictional claims?

How do I refer a new case to DEC?

Can DEC specialists provide expert testimony for litigation?

What medical specialties are included in your network?

Secure the clinical evidence your case deserves

Experience the difference that over 30 years of objective, evidence-based expertise can make. Partner with DEC for defensible evaluations and definitive claim resolutions.

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D.E.C.

Of Texas

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Phone: 361-857-6157

Fax: 361-857-6974

Email: reception@decoftexas.com