When you’re involved in a personal injury claim, you will be required to attend at least one medico-legal expert appointment so that expert can determine condition and prognosis for your injuries. With a serious injury claim, it is often more than one specialist involved in your case and then on top of that, you may also need to be assessed by Defendant’s experts in like disciplines.
These appointments are essential for producing independent medical (medico-legal) reports that help both sides understand your injuries and support the claim process.
What happens at a medico-legal expert appointment?
You’ll be asked about your accident, symptoms, treatment, and how the injury affects your daily life. The expert will perform a physical examination to assess your injuries objectively. Notes and tests may be conducted to help the expert prepare their medico-legal report.
How can you prepare for the appointments?
The preparation is similar for both appointments since both experts will want a thorough and honest assessment of your injuries:
- Bring a note of any recent treatments updates/history that might not have been within the Letter of Instruction to the expert, if they were very recent.
- If you’re worried about forgetting details, it’s absolutely fine to bring notes with you to refer to, especially regarding treatment dates or how your injuries have impacted your daily life.
- Dress comfortably and appropriately to allow access to injured areas.
- Be honest, clear, and consistent in your answers. It’s natural to feel nervous, but just focus on describing your experiences truthfully.
- Arrive on time and stay calm throughout.
- If you’re ever unsure or anxious about what to expect, don’t hesitate to reach out to your legal representative beforehand. They can clarify the process further and help you feel fully prepared.
- Practically, always ensure you take some form of photographic identification with you!
Why might there be two appointments for each specialism?
Claimant’s medical expert appointment:
This examination is arranged by your own legal team. The medical expert will assess your injuries and prepare a report supporting your claim. This report outlines the nature of your injuries, treatment progress, prognosis, and how your injuries impact your daily life.
Defendant’s medical expert appointment:
The other party (usually the insurer or defendant) will arrange a separate appointment with their own medical expert. This expert provides an independent assessment, which may confirm, question, or add to your claim’s medical evidence.
Both reports are used during negotiations or court proceedings to reach a fair settlement or decision. Fundamentally, you must remember that the expert’s duty is not to their instructing party, it is to the Court, so the key is for them to remain impartial. It is also important to remember that there is often a range of opinion when it comes to matters of medicine so having more than one opinion can assist the Court when it comes to determining value.
While it might feel repetitive or stressful, these appointments are a normal part of the claims process.
Final tips for your medico-legal expert appointment
- Prepare for each appointment as if it were your only one, both are equally important.
- Keep your answers consistent between appointments to maintain credibility.
- Discuss any concerns with your legal representative, they can provide guidance tailored to your situation.
How Moore Barlow can help
Starting your personal injury claim with Moore Barlow is straightforward. Reach out to us for a no-obligation discussion about your situation. We’re ready to listen, guide you through your options, and when you’re ready, we’ll commence the journey towards securing your deserved compensation and supporting your recovery.
