As well as damage to the vehicle, motor vehicle accidents can result in a vast range of injuries for the driver or passenger(s) of the vehicle.
When a personal injury claim has been lodged, a number of medico legal assessments will be requested as part of the evidence gathering process in order to assess the extent of a claimant’s injuries.
How Does an Occupational Therapy Medico Legal Report Differ from Other Medical Reports
An occupational therapy medico legal report may be requested as part of legal proceedings to assist with determining the functional impact of the claimant’s injuries; that is how the injury impacts the person’s ability to engage in daily personal care, domestic, work and leisure activities.
Injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident can be complex and may involve physical injuries, brain injuries, and psychological injuries or a combination of all three.
When examining the evidence, the injured person’s past medical history is considered in order to determine whether there were any pre-existing impairments prior to the motor vehicle accident, and to quantify how that previous impairment impacted the claimant’s function prior to the motor vehicle accident.
Following our independent assessment of the claimant’s current level of performance, any change in functional ability will be highlighted in order to explain how the injuries sustained in the motor vehicle accident continue to impact the claimant.
The reports from previous independent medical examinations will also be reviewed, along with any relevant allied health or rehabilitation reports in order to determine whether any further treatment or rehabilitation services may be beneficial in reducing the functional impact of the injury(s) sustained.
Where it is considered likely that a permanent impairment will persist for the injured person, the cost of any care and assistive equipment is included, along with discussion regarding any past gratuitous support that may be relevant since the time of the accident.
Why Trust Independent OT Medico Legal ?
Independent OT Medico Legal has been providing detailed reports for either defendant or plaintiff lawyers since 1984.
All our occupational therapists have a minimum of 10 years clinical experience and have proven excellence in undertaking comprehensive assessments which assist to determine the functional impact of the injury on all aspects of day-to-day life for the injured person.
All evidence gathered through a detailed review of medical information, and our own comprehensive assessment process, is critically analysed and the results and opinion then documented in a comprehensive and well justified report.
In all instances, whether we are engaged by the plaintiff or defendant lawyer, our aim is to provide impartial and well balanced medico legals reports to assist with the finalisation of personal injury claims.
Common Injuries Addressed in Our Motor Vehicle Accident Reports
A report from Independent OT Medico Legal is usually requested for someone who has sustained a significant injury which may include one or more of the following:
Amputation
- Traumatic amputation of any part of the body as the result of a motor vehicle accident can have a significant impact on the injured person’s ability to function.
- The functional impact of an amputation will vary greatly depending on the body part that is affected and the various scenarios surrounding the amputation and subsequent wound healing of the stump. For example; one person who has sustained a lower limb amputation may be able to learn to mobilise with use of a prosthetic limb, however, for another person this might not be an option due to issues associated with wound healing or sensitivity of the stump. In this situation, the injured person may require a wheelchair for all mobility.
- For upper limb amputations, prosthetics may also be an option though the individual circumstances of each injured person are considered when formulating an opinion as to what technology or rehabilitation options may be relevant.
- For some people who have sustained an amputation, chronic or neuropathic pain can also be an issue, and in some instances this severe and intractable pain (or the medication used to treat the pain) can have an impact on cognition.
Musculoskeletal Injury
- Examples of severe musculoskeletal injuries may include fractures of bones in multiple areas of the body, or extensive comminuted fractures of the bone(s) of one or more limbs. Comminuted fractures (where a bone is broken into at least three pieces) can result in severe impairment of the damaged limb, with ongoing pain and reduced strength being an issue, particularly where wound healing issues or other complications are present. This can result in a significant limitation for the injured person in functional activities of daily living.
Other common injuries sustained in motor vehicle accident are discussed on other pages:
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we provide impartial medico legal reports for both plaintiff and defendant lawyers. Whether we are engaged by a plaintiff or a defendant lawyer, our goal is to deliver well-balanced, unbiased reports to assist in the resolution of personal injury claims.
The process typically takes 6 weeks, from the assessment to the delivery of the final report. The timeline may vary depending on the complexity of injuries and the availability of required medical records.
We understand the importance of accessibility, so we offer video consultations where appropriate. This ensures that claimants can access our services even if attending in person is not feasible.
Yes, we specialise in comprehensive assessments and can evaluate multiple injuries, including physical, brain, and psychological injuries, within a single report. This holistic approach ensures all aspects of the injury are considered.
Yes, we offer follow-up assessments and supplementary reports if requested in order to track recovery progress or update the report for ongoing legal purposes. This ensures that all developments are accurately reflected.
It is advisable to obtain a medico legal report as early as possible after the accident. Early assessments ensure that any functional changes are well-documented from the outset.
Book Your Motor Vehicle Accident Medico Legal Assessment Today
Need a reliable, impartial report to support a motor vehicle accident claim? Our experienced occupational therapists provide clear, detailed assessments tailored to your needs.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment, call for a consultation, or email us your inquiry.