Medico-Legal Occupational Therapy Assessments
Kristyn Mackrell, Principal Occupational Therapist at Phase One Therapy, conducts independent medico-legal occupational therapy assessments for solicitors and insurers. Kristyn personally completes the assessment and signs the report. This work is delivered through Allied Health Experts, an established medico-legal providerEach assessment objectively examines a person’s functional capacity, work capacity and support needs, and is structured to answer the specific questions set out in the letter of instruction.
Matters Kristyn Assesses
Through Allied Health Experts, Kristyn provides independent occupational therapy assessments across a range of personal injury and scheme-based matters. Instructions are accepted from plaintiff and defendant solicitors, insurers and claims managers.
Kristyn has a special interest in terminal/oncology, neurological, respiratory and spinal matters and claims.
Matters include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Public liability claims
- Product and occupiers liability
- Medical negligence
Assessments are also provided for personal insurance and scheme-based matters, including:
- Total and Permanent Disability
- Income Protection
- Life Insurance
- NDIS and NDIA related matters, including Tribunal matters
Every assessment is evidence-based and independently conducted, and each report is clearly structured to address the referral questions, with a focus on functional assessment, clinical reasoning and practical findings.
Assessment Types Explained
Referrers often do not know which assessment to instruct. The three below are the most commonly requested.
Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)
A structured, standardised evaluation of a person’s physical and cognitive capacity to perform work and daily tasks. An FCE draws on interview, observation, standardised testing and, where relevant, functional task performance, and reports on current capacity, restrictions and prognosis for work.
Assessment of Daily Living Skills (ADL)
An assessment of how a person manages personal care, domestic tasks, community access, transport and other everyday activities, and what assistance they require. ADL assessments are commonly used to quantify past and future care and support needs in personal injury matters.
Expert Opinion Report
An independent opinion addressing the specific questions raised in your letter of instruction, supported by clinical reasoning and the assessment evidence. Where required, reports are prepared in accordance with the expert evidence rules applicable to the jurisdiction, and a supplementary report can be provided in response to material served by another party.
Phase One Therapy also provides Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) for NDIS and disability support purposes. See our functional capacity assessments page for more information.
We also provide Functional Capacity Assessments (FCA) for NDIS and disability support purposes. See our functional capacity assessments page for more information.
How to instruct us
1. Letter of instruction
Send your letter of instruction to Allied Health Experts requesting for Kristyn, setting out the questions you need answered, together with the relevant material: medical records, imaging, prior expert reports, statements and any surveillance material you intend to rely on. Allied Health Experts will confirm capacity, fees and an estimated turnaround of the report..
2. Conflict and capacity check
Kristyn conducts the assessment in the person’s home, in the community, in the clinic or by telehealth where appropriate. It draws on clinical interview, observation of functional task performance and standardised assessment tools selected for the referral questions. As an independent expert, Kristyn does not provide treatment, does not implement interventions with the person being assessed, and does not discuss her findings or opinion with the person ahead of the instructing party. Assessment in the person’s own environment usually produces a more accurate picture of daily function than a clinic-based appointment.
3. Assessment
Kristyn conducts the assessment in the person’s home, in the community, in the clinic or by telehealth where appropriate. It draws on clinical interview, observation of functional task performance and standardised assessment tools selected for the referral questions. As an independent expert, Kristyn does not provide treatment, does not implement interventions with the person being assessed, and does not discuss her findings or opinion with the person ahead of the instructing party. Assessment in the person’s own environment usually produces a more accurate picture of daily function than a clinic-based appointment.
4. Report
Kristyn’s report sets out the assessment findings, the clinical reasoning and an opinion on each question asked. Where a supplementary report, joint report, conclave or clarification is required, this can be provided.
About the Assessing Occupational Therapist
Solicitors and insurers select experts on credibility. These assessments are conducted by Kristyn Mackrell and delivered through Allied Health Experts.
- Conducted by an AHPRA-registered occupational therapist with extensive experience in complex disability, neurological conditions, , neurodegenerative conditions, terminal and oncology care.
- Kristyn has a hospital background and extensive report-writing experience across medico-legal, NDIA Tribunal and complex assistive technology and driving matters
- Independent and evidence-based, with instructions accepted from both plaintiff and defendant parties
- Assessments structured to answer the referral questions directly, with clinical reasoning made explicit
- Assessment conducted in the person’s own environment where appropriate
- Clear, agreed turnaround times confirmed before the brief is accepted
Frequently asked questions
A Functional Capacity Assessment (FCA) is generally requested for NDIS and disability support purposes and focuses on support needs. A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is generally requested in medico-legal and insurance matters and focuses on capacity for work and daily tasks. Both describe how a person manages everyday activities, but they are written for different audiences and answer different questions.
No. An Independent Medical Examination (IME) is conducted by a medical practitioner. An independent occupational therapy assessment is conducted by a registered occupational therapist and addresses function, daily living skills, work capacity and support needs rather than diagnosis or medical impairment. The two are often used together in the same matter.
Yes. Instructions are accepted from plaintiff solicitors, defendant solicitors, insurers and claims managers. The role is to provide an independent opinion on the questions asked, not to advocate for the instructing party.
Turnaround depends on the complexity of the matter, the volume of material to review and the availability of the person being assessed. Allied Health Experts will confirm an estimated timeframe.
Fees are set and managed by Allied Health Experts. Please contact Allied Health Experts for their current fee schedule at alliedhealthexperts.com.au.
Assessments are conducted in the person’s home or community, in the clinic, or by telehealth where appropriate.
Reports are prepared to meet the expert evidence rules that apply to the jurisdiction, so they are suitable for use in court and tribunal proceedings. Availability to give oral evidence is discussed case by case. To confirm availability for your matter, please contact Allied Health Experts.
Instruct an Assessment
To instruct an independent occupational therapy assessment, contact Allied Health Experts with your letter of instruction. Allied Health Experts will confirm capacity, fees and turnaround before the brief is accepted.