Perth’s Medico Legal Specialists

Expert assessments for fair legal outcomes

Beyond Function are specialists in medico legal services, delivering independent, objective comprehensive assessments and reports to support legal cases. Our experienced team is dedicated to ensuring fair and accurate evaluations and expert witnessing services for clients involved in legal proceedings. We can provide either in-home, clinic based or Telehealth assessments

Comprehensive medico legal assessments in Perth and Beyond

Why choose Beyond Function?

Is there a difference between a treating occupational therapist and a medico legal occupational therapist
Yes. A treating occupation therapist provides assessment and intervention to help clients recover and improve daily functioning. A medico legal occupational therapist does not treat; they assess. They provide independent, objective opinions on the functional impact of an injury for legal purposes, focused on informing legal or insurance decisions rather than delivering therapy.

What does a medico legal occupational therapist look for when assessing a client?
We take a holistic approach, considering the interaction between a person’s injury or condition, their daily occupations, and their environment and the effect on their functioning, participation, and well-being. This includes clinical observation of functional tasks. Key areas assessed include:

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs): ability to manage self-care tasks such as dressing, bathing, and cooking
• Mobility and movement: ability to walk, transfer, bend, and move
• Cognitive and psychological impact: effects of memory loss, concentration difficulties, depression, or anxiety on functioning at home and work
• Environment and supports: home environment, equipment used, and daily supports relied on\
• Vocational abilities: capacity to return to previous work, need for workplace modifications, or suitability for retraining

What kind of recommendations do you comment on in your reports?
Our reports help determine the level of compensation an individual is entitled to. We comment on:

• Assistive devices: wheelchairs or adaptive equipment to support daily activities
• Home modifications
• Rehabilitation needs
• Transport needs
• Vocational considerations: recommendations for retraining or vocational rehabilitation support
• Long-term care costs
• We can also detail past gratuitous care provided to a client on request.
• Costs associated with all our recommendations are provided.

What skills and expertise do your medico legal occupational therapists have?
Our medico legal occupational therapist have extensive clinical experience across all conditions. Where possible, we match the therapist expertise to the  condition or injury of the person being assessed. Our therapists offer:

• Advanced functional assessment skills: evaluating capacity for daily tasks to determine the extent of injury or impairment; many have completed advanced training including PRPP (Perceive, Recall, Plan, Perform) and Ergoscience
• Legal knowledge: understanding of personal injury, medical negligence, and compensation processes
• Report writing: clear, succinct, evidence-based reports accessible to lawyers and judges
• Objectivity: opinions grounded in clinical evidence, free from bias or advocacy

Where do you travel?
We travel all around Western Australia to complete assessments. We have therapists who regularly travel to Kalgoorlie and Esperance for clinical work.

Can you do an urgent assessment?
Yes, we can usually accommodate urgent assessments. Please contact us regarding your needs and timeframe.

How long will it take to receive my report?
Our maximum turnaround time is 4 weeks from assessment date, allowing for thorough peer review and editing. Our reports are regularly delivered within 2-3 weeks and we can work to your specific timeframes when required.

What is the process for the actual assessment?
The medico legal occupational therapist typically visits the client at home, though in-clinic assessments can be accommodated if required. The assessment usually takes 2 to 3 hours and involves a semi-structured interview, as well as observation of functional tasks within the home environment, and completion of formal assessment measures.

Do you conduct assessments for both plaintiff and defendant instructions?
Yes, we accept instructions from both plaintiff and defendant parties. Regardless of who instructs the assessment, our role remains independent and objective; opinions are based solely on the evidence and clinical findings, not on who has engaged our services.

Do you offer telehealth or remote assessments where appropriate?
While in-person assessments are preferred, we can offer telehealth assessments. Several of our occupational therapists s are skilled in telehealth assessment delivery.

Do you provide cost estimates before starting work?
Yes, we are happy to provide an itemised quote for our assessments and reports.

How can I make a referral?
You can complete our online referral form, send us an email, or call us to discuss your matter and assessment needs.