X-ray imaging for medico-legal claims
Plain radiographs arranged to confirm fractures and bony injury, reported by GMC-registered consultant radiologists and supplied to the examining expert so reports prepared under CPR Part 35 rest on documented imaging.
A fracture either shows on a radiograph or it does not, which is what makes plain X-ray such useful evidence. Expert Medical arranges X-ray imaging where a claim needs bony injury confirmed, excluded or characterised, from a suspected scaphoid fracture after a fall to healed rib fractures following a road traffic accident. Each examination is reported by a GMC-registered consultant radiologist.
Solicitors instruct X-rays to put the existence and pattern of a fracture beyond argument, and to document healing, malunion or degenerative change relevant to prognosis. Insurers rely on the same films when deciding whether to admit causation. The radiologist's report is supplied alongside the images, ready for the examining expert to address in evidence prepared under CPR Part 35.
Fractures put beyond argument
A documented fracture on a plain radiograph settles the question of whether a bony injury occurred, which narrows the dispute to causation and prognosis. Where earlier hospital imaging exists, a follow-up X-ray also shows how the fracture has healed, including any malunion or residual deformity that affects valuation.
Reported by consultant radiologists
Every radiograph is formally reported by a GMC-registered consultant radiologist, so the file contains a written radiological opinion rather than unreported images. The examining medico-legal expert can then rely on that report when giving an opinion on diagnosis and prognosis, and the court can see where each finding came from.
Quick, proportionate imaging
X-ray remains the proportionate first investigation for suspected bony injury. It is quicker to arrange than MRI, widely available and well tolerated, which suits fast-track claims where costs matter. Where the radiograph raises a question it cannot answer, such as soft tissue involvement, we can arrange further imaging on the same instruction.
Plain films, plainly reported
The simplest imaging is often the most persuasive. A radiograph showing a united fracture, or no fracture at all, gives both sides something concrete to work from. We arrange the examination, obtain the consultant radiologist's report and deliver both to the people who need them.
- Confirmation or exclusion of suspected fractures
- Wrist, scaphoid, ankle and other limb radiographs after falls
- Rib, clavicle and shoulder imaging after road traffic accidents
- Spinal radiographs for bony injury and alignment
- Assessment of fracture healing, malunion and non-union
- Documentation of degenerative change relevant to causation
- Formal reports by GMC-registered consultant radiologists
- Images and reports supplied to the examining medico-legal expert
- Further imaging arranged on the same instruction where indicated
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