Mayotte M. Jones v. Metro West, Inc.

In this case, on behalf of the defense, Dr. Bursztajn performed a forensic psychiatric evaluation of the plaintiff's claim of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity-induced impairment. In its favorable ruling, the court cited Dr. Bursztajn's expert report critiquing the diagnostic reasoning relied upon by the plaintiff's treating physician. Dr. Bursztajn's nuanced approach to diagnostic evaluation was held up as a model. In MCS cases, malingering, misattribution, and sick role motivation for symptom presentation need to be ruled out prior to settling on an MCS diagnosis in the context of litigation.