Expert Witness Services | Hampshire Orthotics

With over 30 years of clinical experience in orthotics, Lucy Best provides independent expert witness reports for legal proceedings involving orthotic needs, care requirements, and musculoskeletal conditions.

What is an Orthotic Expert Witness?

An expert witness is a specialist who provides an independent, impartial opinion to assist the courts or legal teams in understanding complex clinical matters. In orthotic cases, an expert witness may be asked to assess an individual’s orthotic needs, review the appropriateness of treatment already provided, calculate the future costs of orthotic care, or give an opinion on the standard of care received.

Expert witness reports must meet strict standards of independence and objectivity. Lucy’s reports are prepared in accordance with CPR Part 35 and the accompanying Practice Direction, and she understands her overriding duty to the court.

Areas of Expertise

Lucy is able to provide expert opinion and reports in relation to:
● Assessment of current and future orthotic needs following injury or illness
● Spinal bracing — scoliosis, kyphosis, and spinal cord injury
● Lower limb orthotics — AFOs, KAFOs, knee bracing, and insoles
● Orthopaedic footwear
● Limb length discrepancy
● Upper limb orthotics — wrist-hand orthoses and specialist splinting
● Paediatric orthotics — cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and developmental conditions
● Calculation of the cost of future orthotic provision and replacement cycles
● Review and commentary on reports prepared by other clinicians

Who Instructs Lucy?

Lucy accepts instructions from both claimant and defendant solicitors, and from the courts directly. She is experienced in preparing reports for personal injury and clinical negligence, She can provide a joint statement where required and is able to attend court to give oral evidence if necessary.

The Process

Initial Enquiry

Please contact us in the first instance to discuss the nature of the case and confirm that Lucy’s expertise is appropriate for the matter in question. We are happy to advise on the scope of the report and provide an estimate of fees and timescales.

Instruction and Assessment

Once instructed, Lucy will review all relevant medical records and, where required, carry out a clinical assessment of the individual. She takes a thorough, methodical approach and ensures that all opinions are clearly evidenced and explained in plain language.

Report Preparation

Reports are prepared to a high standard, structured clearly, and written to be accessible to non-clinical readers as well as legal professionals. Lucy’s reports set out her qualifications and experience, the materials reviewed, her findings, and her reasoned opinions.

Timescales and Fees

Fees are charged at an hourly rate for all time spent on the matter, including file review, assessment, report preparation, and correspondence. Please contact us to discuss fees and current availability.

Lucy’s Qualifications and Experience

Lucy Best BSc (Hons) is a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered orthotist with over 30 years of clinical experience in NHS and private practice in the UK and internationally. She is a member of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) and has specialist expertise across the full range of orthotic disciplines.

As the principal orthotist at Hampshire Orthotics Ltd, Lucy has extensive practical experience of assessing and treating patients with complex orthotic needs, and a thorough understanding of orthotic prescribing, manufacturing, and costs.

Expert Witness Enquiries
To discuss an expert witness instruction, please contact us directly.
Email: admin@hampshire-orthotics.co.uk
Hampshire Orthotics Ltd, East Gate Lodge, Embley Park, Romsey, SO51 6ZB.
Please mark enquiries for the attention of Lucy Best.