EWJ 60 April 2025 web - Journal - Page 66
OT is developing in such cases, identifying the individual’s needs in relation to their physical and mental
wellbeing whilst facing scrutiny and the risk of being
extradited. I am proud of my role as an expert witness for individuals I have assessed, fighting for their
rights and needs and ensuring the best possible outcome and solution. Below I have provided an anonymous extract of one of my medicolegal reports which
documents past and present care costs.
10. The estimated care is also dependent on the progression of Mr Jones’s MND progression. It may be
he requires more/less care than estimations above.
Maria’s experience as an Expert Witness:
Maria is an award-winning specialist adult
Occupational Therapist Expert and Vocational rehabilitation Expert. Vocational Rehabilitation Association
(VRA) Award winner, Maria is tireless in her pursuit
of removing barriers and obstacles to enable her
clients to return to education, employment, and
meaningful activity.
Example:
1. The estimated costs documented below are based
on the following factors:
i. That Mr Jones remains fully independent in all tasks
for another year, up until November 2024.
ii. Initially Mr Jones will only need a few hours’ daily
care support from November 2024.
iii. My estimation is Mr Jones will need the same level
of support from November 2024 to November 2025.
iv. The care hours will increase over time due to the
progressive nature of MND.
v. Care costs from November 2025 are estimated as if
Mr Jones requires a full-time, live-in carer.
Highly accomplished in leading negotiations with
employers to secure a return to the workplace or new
career path. With over 20 years’ experience, it is unsurprising that Maria is in high demand as a member of our Expert Witness Panel, specialising in
vocational reports. She has built strong relationships
with medical and legal professionals and takes great
pleasure in sharing her experience and expertise as a
respected guest speaker across a variety of events,
conferences and training sessions across the U.K.
Maria’s highly successful record of helping clients to
achieve their vocational goals; returning to work, starting new vocations or turning interests in profitable
businesses, or as Maria’s famous saying goes. Turning
tragedy into Triumph!!!
2. According to indeed.com (2023), the average
hourly salary for a care worker in Greater Manchester
is £10.80.
Circle Case Management’s Expert Witness Service
is led by critically acclaimed Clinical Director,
Yvonne Spijkerman who is supported by Senior Expert Maria Morris. The multi-award winning team
are available for instruction across the U.K.
3. Estimated care costs from November 2024 to
November 2025:
We pride ourselves on providing experienced practising professionals with excellent communication
skills who can listen to the client and use their indepth knowledge to prepare high quality, clinically
correct and up to date reports with realistic recommendations for the client’s future, provided in a
timely manner.
4. According to Guardian Carers (2023), the average
salary for a live in carer is between £100 and £140
gross per day.
Our service offers a fast turn round at competitive
rates with deferred payment scheme available upon
request, and desk top reports.
5. As a financial ‘worst case scenario’, Mr Jones’s daily
care costs have been estimated using the higher daily
rate in paragraph 99.
We have partnerships nationally, meaning we can
provide an end-to-end expert witness report service.
From pagination and medical record collation
through to rehabilitation and Expert Witness
Reports.
Through our partnerships we can provide a onestop shop for all Medico-Legal matters. We can handle any volume of instructions across all case types,
but we’ll never compromise on the responsiveness
and personal service you’ve come to expect from us.
6. Mr Jones’s possible life expectancy is another 13
years. For the first year, his estimated annual care costs
will be £7,862.40.
7. For the remaining 12 years, Mr Jones’s estimated
care costs will be £613,200.
To discuss your Expert requirements please email
expert@circlecm.com or call 012972415.
8. Total care costs for 13 years: £7,862.40 + £613.200
= £621,062.40.
Reference:
https://www.rcot.co.uk/about-occupational-therapy/what-isoccupational-therapy#:~:text=An%20occupational
%20therapist%20helps%20people,limitations%20to%20ho
pes%20and%20aspirations.
https://www.goodwin.edu/enews/origins-of-occupationaltherapy-and-mental-health-practices-within-ot/
9. It should be noted that these care costs are purely
estimated and for a more accurate costing, care agencies and social care providers should be consulted to
identify their costs.
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
64
APRIL 2025
