Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings In Personal Injury Claims
Following on from my article on Immediate Needs Assessments and Rehabilitation in Personal Injury Claims I wanted to discuss the importance of Multi Disciplinary Team Meetings (MDT) during the course of a personal injury claim.
What is a MDT?
A MDT is a meeting that can take place between healthcare professionals to discuss a Claimant’s needs. This can often follow an Immediate Needs Assessment when recommendations have been made for further assessment, treatment and investigations. This can play an important role to progress the rehabilitation needs and requirements of Claimant’s. Examples of who can attend include:-
1. GP’s
2. Hospital consultants
3. Occupational Therapists
4. Physiotherapists
5. Speech and Language Therapists
6. Social workers
7. Pharmacists
Benefits of a MDT
The meeting can help to ensure different bodies adopt a collaborative approach to the care needs of a Claimant and consider recommendations for further treatment and investigations. It can help to ensure that rehabilitation is assisting the Claimant to get back to the position they were in or as far as possible before the accident took place.
Can Lawyers attend MDT’s?
In the Judgment of Hadley v Przybylo in June 2024 the Claimant’s legal team considered that attendance at a MDT was necessary to progress litigation. However the Defendant’s legal team argued that attendance should be considered as non progressive in so far as whether the costs associated ought to be included in a costs budget during the course of litigation. The master concluded that lawyers attendance was not progressive.
The pro’s of a Solicitor attending a MDT
A Claimant relies on their Solicitor to progress their case but also a support network during what can often be a difficult and debilitating time in their life. The claimant Solicitor will know the needs of the Claimant based on the recommendations of experts and the goals can be monitored. It is helpful if legal representatives from both parties attend MDT’s because it reinforces the collaborative approach of litigation so everyone can see what the goals are. This can in turn help understand if funding can or cannot be approved and the reasons why.
During the course of a personal Injury claim it may be recommended that a MDT take place and a legal representative can assist to ensure the treatment and care needs have been considered by different bodies and to ensure that a collaborative approach is taken by both Claimant and Defendant representatives to achieve the best possible outcome for the Claimant.
If you are in need of specialist legal advice call our highly experienced Personal Injury team on 0330 822 3451 who will be able to assist. Alternatively, you can request a call back or get in touch online.
