Expert assessments to support legal cases involving birth-related complications.
Defining the true functional impact and associated cost of any physical, cognitive and/or psychological injury.
Welcome to
Independent OT Medico Legal
Independent OT Medico Legal (formerly Independent OT Services) was founded in 1984 and has a solid reputation for providing quality medico legal reports. We pride ourselves on consistently meeting specific requirements of the brief and producing quality, timely and comprehensive reports.
Independent OT Medico Legal employs experienced Occupational Therapists who conduct thorough, objective medico legal examinations of both children and adults.
Our Medico Legal Process
At Independent OT Medico Legal we have two occupational therapists attend for all independent medical examinations. All therapists are trauma informed, compassionate and objective. There is no additional cost for this service, though we’ve found that it improves the peer review process, improves the speed of delivery for the report, and results in a more robust report.
We are mindful that the thought of the assessment process, and having a second person attend, is often daunting for our clients. However, all have appreciated our method of practice following completion of the assessment. Having two therapists attend also reduces the number of questions required following the consultation, as there are two people taking notes and making observations. We’ve found that this aspect is very much appreciated by the people we assess.
Our primary objective is to provide a comprehensive report with regard given to minimising as much of the negative impact and stress on the person being assessed.
Our main services
We offer medico legal reports considering the functional impact and associated costs of any physical, cognitive and/or psychological injury as a result of:
Assessments to support legal cases involving traumatic brain injuries and related conditions.
Dust Disease Medico Legal Reports (Asbestosis, Mesothelioma, Silicosis)
Medico legal reports for dust diseases, including asbestos-related conditions like mesothelioma and silicosis.
Detailed evaluations to support claims involving substandard medical care or treatment.
Comprehensive evaluations to assist in legal claims related to injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents.
What to Expect From an Independent OT Medico Legal Assessment
Prior to the assessment, we will have reviewed all medical evidence provided including hospital discharge summaries, and relevant medical records and reports from medical specialists (including treating doctors, psychiatrists, occupational physicians, rehabilitation consultants, allied health practitioners etc). Prior to the assessment we will have completed an analysis of this medical evidence to determine a timeline of events from the time the injury was sustained to the time of our OT assessment.
Typically an Independent OT Medico Legal assessment takes between 2-3 hours to complete and will likely involve a combination of interview (lots of questions), paper-based assessments and clinical observations of physical and cognitive abilities. We welcome a support person to be present with the individual being assessed to assist them to feel more comfortable. We often find that a support person who knows the individual well can also provide valuable insights into the impact of the injury sustained, and perhaps provide examples of how this effects day-to-day function.
During the assessment we will obtain a full history from the injured party and confirm that the timeline of events that we have prepared from analysis of the medical documentation is correct and complete. If the individual has any other health conditions or medical issues that are not related to the compensation claim, this will be explored during the various assessments to ensure that any care or equipment recommended relates only to the relevant medical conditions.
We will ask questions to determine what support (if any) has been provided by the individual’s family as a result of the injury and any associated functional limitations. Information provided by the individual and/ or their support person will be examined in conjunction with our own observations and paper based assessments to determine the extent of past gratuitous care that may be considered in a compensation claim. Any past gratuitous care is discussed in detail in the medico legal report and linked with medical evidence provided to ensure our assessments are justified.
We will request information regarding any treatments or rehabilitation services that have been undertaken, and the impact that these have had on the injured individual’s ability to function in day-to-day life. We may ask for contact details for any treating allied health or medical practitioners in order to discuss any future treatment options with them.
Once the consultation has been conducted, the report writing commences. As we analyse and evaluate all the information gathered, there may be some additional questions in the following weeks if there are any details that require further clarification.
Typically our medico legal reports are ready for release within 6 weeks of the assessment date.
Why Choose Independent OT Medico Legal?
All our Occupational Therapy staff have extensive experience in their area of clinical specialty and are committed to ongoing professional development in order to maintain currency of knowledge regarding various conditions, treatments, products and equipment.
We have extensive expertise and specialised knowledge across a range of clinical fields including:
- Physical diagnoses including (though not limited to) spinal injuries; brain injuries; amputees; burns; multi-trauma; neurological conditions including cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorder, multiple sclerosis, stroke, functional neurological disorder; vision and hearing impairments; dust diseases including mesothelioma and silicosis; and chronic pain conditions.
- Psychological diagnoses including anxiety, depression, personality disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder. Many clients with physical impairments also experience psychological impairments and so assessment of both physical and psychological impairments is common.
If compensation claims or NDIA Appeals are not settled prior, we will give expert evidence in court or at a tribunal hearing. Our report and witness testimony can play a crucial role in assisting the court to understand the functional impact of health condition so that an informed decision can be made.
Our clients’ experience with our services
In relation to Ms Thompson, the only feedback I can give is all positive. Ms Thompson answered the questions asked of her directly and always with the focus being to assist the Tribunal, which is of course the primary duty of the expert. Ms Thompson was clear, fulsome and sufficiently succinct in her answers that her evidence I expect will be of great assistance to the Tribunal in determining what is the correct and preferable decision. It was a pleasure working with Ms Thompson
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“I had a serious accident at my workplace, falling from height which rendered me quadriplegic (C-5/6 complete).
Being a worker’s compensation case I had many different entities seeking reports including various doctors of specialised fields, lawyers, physiotherapists, OT’s and even a psychiatrist. I found this to be a very taxing and laborious experience but one necessary for the final outcome of receiving adequate compensation and moving on in my life.
Rebecca Thompson from Independent OT services visited me in 2020 to undertake an Occupational Therapy report which would contribute to my compensation claim. The assessment process was quite smooth, I wasn’t rushed or harangued into answering questions like in other interviews, Rebecca was kind and empathetic of my situation. I believe it only took 2-3 hours for Rebecca to get all the necessary information and write an extremely detailed report that encompassed my injury and catalogued in great detail my needs in the present and future. The worker’s compensation process is very long and drawn out but by the end of 2023 the process had ended and I was compensated handsomely.
Would most definitely recommend Rebecca Thompson and Independent OT Services!”
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Rebecca Thompson was instrumental in helping me gain access to the NDIS.
She was non judgmental and made me feel very comfortable with her gentle assessment of my physical issues in regards to my application. She did not overtax my limited abilities while testing me in order to gain the information she required.
I was so very happy with the outcome and believe that without her help I would still be fighting for it.
I would most happily recommend Rebecca to anyone who requires a gentle, kind and empathetic OT assessor.
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Applying for NDIS support was one of the hardest applications I’ve ever done. I was on my last appeal and desperate to get some funding to help pay for much needed medical treatments and supplies. I suffer permanent multiple medical conditions, chronic musculoskeletal pain, chronic fatigue, mental health issues, lymphodema and others which make it impossible for me to work and therefore have the income to pay for the medical treatments I need to give me a better quality of life and prevent my conditions from deteriorating.
Without Rebecca’s patience and thoroughness to get all my complex medical conditions in the correct format and how they affect my ability to function in her report I would not have been approved.
Rebecca was compassionate, kind and I appreciated her patience to get all the relevant information needed.
I can’t thank Rebecca enough for her assistance. I’m am so grateful to have been approved and now getting the support I desperately needed.
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“After suffering a spinal cord injury, my legal team engaged Rebecca Thompson to prepare an OT report as part of my personal injury claim. Rebecca engaged with me over several sessions in order to deeply understand my situation and to prepare a report that I feel accurately reflected the impact the injury had had on my life and my likely future OT related needs as a result of the injury. Rebecca was both sensitive and understanding during the process and worked to understand the unique aspects of my injury and prepare a tailored and detailed report that reflected my situation. I would not hesitate to recommend Rebecca to future clients.”
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My assessment by Rebecca Thompson was requested by my lawyer and was required as a result of my motor vehicle accident I sustained on 29th January 2017 which resulted in multiple serious life threatening bodily injuries also including an above knee amputation of my left leg.
Rebecca visited me at home and her presence and demeanour during the interview was very friendly, helpful and informative.
I have no hesitation in recommending Rebecca or Independent OT Services to anyone who may require what they are able to provide and offer.
Rebecca, I thank you for your service and effort to help me with my unfortunate situation.
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Our lawyers engaged Rebecca Thompson of Independent OT Services on our behalf in connection with a medical negligence claim we are pursuing.
To begin with Rebecca met us at home and began to document a very comprehensive report which identified, quantified and costed Susan’s health journey over the preceding four years in terms of care and equipment costs.
Rebecca’s report also included estimates of future care and equipment costs.
Rebecca’s empathy and understanding of these issues reassured us greatly and made the process a good deal easier.
At all times Rebecca led us diligently through the process and demonstrated honesty, integrity, compassion, commitment and professionalism.
Ultimately Rebecca’s report ran to approximately ninety pages which summarised Susan’s health experiences in a complete, logical and chronological manner and which has provided our lawyers with a detailed, concise and accurate account of Susan’s experiences and the impact of Susan’s injuries.
In conclusion, we would highly recommend Rebecca’s services to any prospective client.
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Rebecca was appointed by the NDIA to write a report about my health issues. Questions and discussions were relevant to my coping skills, management of my daily hygiene, self-management and where I required assistance both in a personal capacity and in the home. Obviously some questions and discussions were a little invasive, and I was pleased that those areas were managed with care and sensitivity. During the parts that were difficult to talk about, Rebecca was patient and respectful of my thoughts and feelings. My husband was welcome in the meeting, he had questions too, and these were answered during the meeting.
The meeting was quite long, and this had been discussed prior to the day, so we were aware that it would be tiring and a bit emotional. My initial concerns about the day were allayed by Rebecca’s calm approach to each discussion point, her patience in listening to my views and explanations, and gentle prompting for more information when it was required.
I have no doubt that Rebecca’s report is accurate and contains vital valuable information about my health issues. It is presented with the same level of professionalism showed to me in person.
I would recommend Rebecca for further involvement in my case, or for further reporting if it becomes necessary. I believe she earned the trust and confidence that I have in her, and that her primary interest is in presenting details accurately and honestly.
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I want to thank Independent OT Services for the assessment report they provide for my friend Jill in her case with the NDIS.
I applied for NDIS funding on her behalf so she could get the help she needed to manage her life. Unfortunately her application with the NDIS was rejected. We had no option but to appeal her case through (AAT). Eventually the NDIS lawyer requested that an occupational therapist do a thorough assessment of Jill’s disability and engaged Rebecca Thompson. We were contacted by Independent OT services to arrange a time to come out and do an assessment of Jill.
Both Rebecca and Paula were very respectful and kind towards Jill during their assessment and interview of her. They showed a lot of understanding & patience towards Jill which put her at ease. In the end they provided an extensive report to the NDIS detailing every aspect of Jill’s illness and how her disability impacted her everyday life and functionality.The assessment that Independent OT Services done of Jill’s case was done objectively & impartially and conducted with great care & understanding – as it always should be.
I hope that anyone out there contemplating appealing an NDIS case not to be intimidated by the process of appeal through the AAT as both Jill and I found the whole process relatively straight forward, but it would be advised to get a good advocate that knows the process to help you and you can always rely on Independent OT Services for a professional & honest assessment of your disability or illness to support your case.
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This was for back surgery anterior and posterior minimally invasive L4 to, S1 fusion. Unfortunately during the excision of discs, my dura and sacra roots were severed. I woke in pain with numbness to my left leg, buttocks and vulva area. It was soon clear that I had sustained major injuries which left me incontinent both bladder and bowel. It has been a continuous struggle for me since that day, and have spent many days in hospital.
I employed the services of Maurice Blackburn to act on my behalf, and they engaged Rebecca Thompson.
When I first met Rebecca she made me feel very comfortable during the assessment process and I was able to talk with her with ease.
On reading her report I could not believe the detail that was included and would recommend her services to other people in a similar situation.
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Our Medico Legal Professionals
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes we work with both defendant and plaintiff lawyers. At Independent OT Medico Legal, we view our role as being to provide an independent and objective assessment of the functional impact of a condition on the claimant, and to compile an unbiased report to help the court to make an informed decision.
We request that all relevant medical records be made available, along with a letter of instruction which outlines any specific questions that are to be addressed in the report. Relevant medical documentation may include hospital discharge summaries, surgical reports, specialist medical reports and GP records if relevant. Generally we require records from the time of injury onwards, unless there are co-morbid conditions or other reasons as to why medical history preceding the date of injury may be relevant.
Typically an Independent OT Medico Legal assessment takes between 2-3 hours to complete and will likely involve a combination of interview (lots of questions), paper-based assessments and clinical observations of physical and cognitive abilities. We welcome a support person to be present with the individual being assessed to assist them feel more comfortable. We often find that a support person who knows the individual well can also provide valuable insights into the impact of the injury sustained, and perhaps provide examples of how this effects day-to-day function.
We do offer video consultations in some circumstances. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the type of injury to be assessed, and the ability of the claimant to communicate via that forum.
Some medico legal assessments cannot be effectively or safely undertaken via videoconference such as when there is a significant psychological injury and therefore this forum is not offered for those assessments.
When assessing people with spinal cord injuries, amputations or those who are wheelchair bound for other reasons, in-home assessments are preferred as there are often environmental barriers that prevent easy access in a wheelchair, and these are difficult to accurately assess via videolink. The physical ability of a wheelchair bound person is also often difficult to fully assess without an in-person assessment.
Once the consultation has been conducted, the report writing commences. As we analyse and evaluate all the information gathered, there may be some additional questions in the following weeks if there are any details that require further clarification.
Typically our medico legal reports are ready for release within the following time frames:
- Motor vehicle, workers compensation, medical negligence: 6 weeks from the assessment date.
- NDIA Appeal: 2-3 weeks from the assessment date.
- Mesothelioma: 1 week from the assessment date.
The final report will only be released to the legal party who instructed Independent OT Medico Legal to write the report. The report will be peer reviewed by a member of our clinical team to ensure accuracy, though no other members of the team will have access to the report. All documentation and records are securely stored.
Yes.
Should the nature of injury or relevant symptoms change due to progression of the disorder, surgical intervention, or other condition we can provide an updated medico legal report or supplementary report. This would comment on the physical/ cognitive/ environmental changes applicable since the time of the initial report, and determine any change to recommended future equipment or services, as well as address any specific questions posed in the letter of instruction.
Should the matter be proceeding to trial, then an updated medico legal report is recommended to ensure that the information regarding the claimant’s level of function is current, and that the costs of future assistive equipment and care needs are up to date.
No. An Independent OT Medico Legal report will be the same regardless of the avenue of compensation.
No. We do not diagnose, nor prescribe medications or surgeries that may be applicable for a claimant as this is outside the scope of occupational therapy. This will require independent medical examination or other expert medical opinions.
Schedule an appointment with our expert Occupational Therapists for specialised care and expertise!
