Expert Witness Journal Issue 67 June/July 2026 - Flipbook - Page 34
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Injury risk
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Capacity to train/compete
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Load tolerance and fatigue thresholds
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Time scales for return to-sport speci昀椀c training
and competing
•
Time scales for return to dance training and
performing
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Condition and prognosis following surgery
•
Short- and long-term rehabilitation
requirements
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Misdiagnosis
Often leading to inappropriate treatment
causing delay or harm and failing to refer.
•
Incorrect Rehabilitation for Sports/Dance
Injuries
Unsafe exercise plans or premature return-toplay advice leading to re-injury.
•
Failure to Identify Serious Injury
Missing red 昀氀ags, ligament tears, fractures,
or concussion symptoms and failing to refer
appropriately.
•
Inadequate Supervision During High-Risk
Exercises
Leaving athletes unsupervised during advanced
drills or equipment use.
•
Equipment Safety Issues
Using faulty or poorly maintained rehab tools
or gym apparatus.
•
Lack of Informed Consent
Not explaining risks of aggressive rehabilitation
or sports-speci昀椀c interventions.
•
Poor Documentation
Missing treatment notes or progression records
that compromise continuity of care.
•
Advice Beyond Scope
Giving clearance for competitive return without
proper medical authority.
•
Infection Control Breaches
Poor hygiene practices in shared sports facilities
or therapy environments.
Sports and dance require precision, agility, and high
level physical conditioning and endurance. Our
expert physiotherapists evaluate:
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Technical movement requirements (e.g. jumps,
turns, explosive acceleration, pointe work)
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Training volume, intensity, and progression
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Performance expectations at amateur, semi
professional, or elite level
•
Safe return to compete/perform
Our sports/dance physiotherapy reports will re昀氀ect
the true physical demands of the claimant’s
discipline. For example, aerial performers, stunt
performers and those undertaking impact sports
are more likely to sustain high-level trauma.
Our physiotherapy experts will provide realistic,
clinically-grounded projections regarding:
•
Condition and prognosis
•
Expected recovery timelines
•
Likelihood of re injury or long term functional
limitation
•
Permanent impairment and its implications for
performance
•
Future treatment, rehabilitation, and
conditioning needs
Why Choose Somek & Associates?
These insights directly inform future care costs, loss
of earnings, and loss of opportunity valuations.
•
For athletes and dancers, injury can alter:
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Career longevity
•
Ability to progress to higher levels
•
•
Specialist Sports/Dance Injury Expertise
– Our physiotherapy experts have handson experience with elite athletes and sports
rehabilitation protocols.
•
Independent, Evidence-Based Opinions – Clear,
impartial reports for claimant and defendant
cases.
•
Trusted by Leading Law Firms – Decades of
experience supporting solicitors in personal
injury and clinical negligence claims.
Typical Cases We Support
•
Mismanaged
rehabilitation
after
reconstruction or tendon repair.
Access to scholarships, contracts, or touring
opportunities
•
Incorrect physiotherapy advice causing delayed
recovery or further harm.
Capacity to maintain training loads
•
Sports/dance
injury
claims
physiotherapy treatment errors.
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Breach of duty causing preventable injury.
•
Safety protocols falling below acceptable
standards leading to injury or delayed return to
sport/performance.
Physiotherapy Evidence in Breach of Duty
& Professional Regulation
•
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Delayed diagnosis
Failure to conduct necessary tests, delayed
onward referral, communication errors.
EXPERT WITNESS JOURNAL
32
ACL
involving
JUNE 2026
