Working with solicitors
What is a medico-legal occupational therapy report?
A medico-legal occupational therapy report is an independent expert report — written by an HCPC-registered OT — that quantifies the functional impact of an injury, illness, or disability on someone’s daily life. It’s commissioned by solicitors in personal-injury or clinical-negligence claims, by insurers, or by the Court of Protection, and is used to support compensation and rehabilitation funding.
What goes into the report
A typical medico-legal OT report covers:
- The person's background, lifestyle, and pre-injury function
- A detailed assessment of current function across all key areas of daily living
- The impact on work, education, hobbies, family roles, and social life
- An opinion on causation — whether the impact is attributable to the index event
- Recommendations for rehabilitation, equipment, and adaptations
- A costed care and case-management plan for the future
- Prognosis — what recovery is realistic, and over what timeframe
Choosing an expert OT
A good medico-legal OT will:
- Be HCPC registered and clinically experienced in the relevant area (neuro, orthopaedic, paediatric, etc.)
- Have completed expert-witness training (Bond Solon, Cardiff Law School, or equivalent)
- Comply with Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules and the relevant practice direction
- Have professional indemnity insurance that covers medico-legal work
- Be willing to take instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors
What it costs
Medico-legal OT reports are charged at higher hourly rates than clinical work, typically £180–£300/hour plus VAT, with a full report usually costing £2,500–£6,000 depending on complexity and the number of witnesses interviewed. Joint statements and court attendance are charged separately.
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