Medico-Legal Services
From early opinion to oral evidence.
Comprehensive CPR Part 35 medico-legal services for hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder cases across the United Kingdom. Prepared by Ms Michelle Razo, Consultant Hand Therapist and holder of the Cardiff University Bond Solon Civil Expert Witness Certificate.
For the instructing party
Whether the hand, wrist or arm case is at first letter or at trial.
An instructing party's needs may change as a case moves. Pre-action enquiry can call for a swift turnaround. A primary CPR Part 35 report must stand in court. A quantum claim needs the functional consequences of the hand, wrist or arm injury measured and put to paper. A trial may call for joint statements and sometimes oral evidence.
Upper Hand Medico-Legal Services covers the full sequence for hand, wrist, arm, elbow and shoulder cases. Instructions are accepted from Claimant and Defendant alike and from other legal instructors across the United Kingdom.
Pre-issue · Case review
Advisory Report
A short, focused opinion at the start of a case. Helps an instructing party decide whether the hand, wrist or arm injury, causation and prognosis are likely to support a claim before commissioning a full CPR Part 35 report.
For solicitors weighing case merit, pursuing pre-action enquiries or scoping the expert evidence required.
- Screening review of the available medical records
- Brief opinion on injury, causation and prognosis
- Identification of further investigation or imaging needed
- Recommendation on whether a full CPR Part 35 report is warranted
Primary report · CPR Part 35
Condition & Prognosis Report
The substantive report a court reads to understand the hand, wrist or arm injury. What it is, what was done about it, what recovery should look like, what stays permanent.
For solicitors needing a primary expert report admissible in proceedings.
- Injury history and mechanism
- Treatment to date and current clinical status
- Examination findings
- Expected recovery and timeline
- Permanent functional consequences
- Causation within clinical scope
Quantum · Occupational impact
Functional Capacity Assessment
A measured account of what the Claimant can and cannot do with their hand, wrist and arm, occupationally and in daily life. Carries weight in claims where the functional consequences of hand, wrist or arm injury bear on quantum.
For personal injury claims involving manual or skilled work, income protection and permanent health insurance contexts.
- Standardised functional measurement
- Range, strength, dexterity and sensation
- Pain and fatigue, documented
- Occupational impact analysis
- Daily living activity impact
- Quantum-supporting summary
Future damages · Care plan
Rehabilitation Needs Assessment
A costed plan for the hand, wrist and arm rehabilitation the Claimant still requires. Supports future damages, settlement negotiations and case management of ongoing care.
For solicitors quantifying ongoing rehabilitation costs in damages, and for case managers planning structured care.
- Outstanding rehabilitation needs identified
- Specialist treatment recommended
- Frequency, duration and modality
- Indicative cost of provision
- Long-term care and review intervals
Trial · Hearing
Joint Statements & Oral Evidence
Participation in expert joint discussions and preparation of joint statements under CPR Practice Direction 35. Attendance at court or tribunal to give oral evidence where the case requires it.
For solicitors approaching trial, joint discussion, or where opposing expert evidence requires response.
- Expert joint discussion attendance
- Joint statement to PD35
- Court or tribunal attendance
- Oral evidence under cross-examination
- Addendum and supplementary answers
Consultant Hand Therapist · Certified Expert Witness
Independent expert witness practice. Duty owed solely to the court. Instructions from Claimant and Defendant alike, across the United Kingdom.
Delivery
In person or on the records.
In-person assessment. At Ms Razo's scheduled clinic by arrangement. The Claimant is examined in person.
Records-based opinion. Where face-to-face examination is not clinically required. Useful for desk-based opinion, supplementary review or Claimants who cannot reasonably travel.
Addendum, Part 35 answers, supplementary opinion. Response to questions raised under Part 35, reply to opposing expert evidence, and addendum to address new factual matters emerging after the primary report.