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Post by Neil Turnbull on Oct 14, 2003 8:50:12 GMT
This will get many different views:-
When do Solicitors think that expert reports should be obtained, early on or later in case?
What is the Health Professionals view?
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Post by Denise on Oct 15, 2003 8:21:29 GMT
I have 2 opinions on this point Neil. Firstly if an assessment is carried out early on in the claim, the expert has a base line in which to measure the success or failure of rehabilitation programmes. When the next assessment is done it provides a clearer picture as to the claimant's recovery progress and therefore gives the expert a better idea when predicting future care costs.
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Post by Denise on Oct 15, 2003 8:26:05 GMT
The other point is that the final report should be carried out as near to the court date as possible. Trying to present an accurate picture on future care costs whilst the claimant is still recovering or proceding through intensive rehabilitation is impossible.
An assessment carried out within a few months of the court date will present a far more accurate picture of events.
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Post by Denise on Oct 15, 2003 8:47:39 GMT
The CODE OF BEST PRACTICE ON REHABILITATION, EARLY INTERVENTION AND MEDICAL TREATMENT IN PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS recommends that the assessment of needs is carried out and a rehabilitation programme is instigated. The report is supposed to encorporate all the specialities involved. As the NHS hasn't managed to overcome the problems involved with inter-disciplinary communication I can't see the code of practice being accomodated in the manner in which it is intended. If anyone would like to see a copy of the original report it is available on the following link www.cpims.com/cobp.doc I have also put a link on the news page on the web site www.cpims.com/news.asp
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