BLOGS

When Trevor had his accident at work, which left him having to undergo a lower leg amputation, he did not imagine he would be able to travel and enjoy a holiday like the one he has just experienced. But with a great legal team and excellent case management, Trevor was able to concentrate on his rehabilitation and achieve so much more than he ever expected.

Trevor has just shown how great that outcome is by having the holiday of a lifetime in Japan

Before his injury, Regi loved football but this became impossible afterwards. So when he was at an exhibition for people who had a disability in Cardiff, he was on the look out for  a new sport that he could enjoy. He was tempted with wheelchair basketball but, because of his limited height, he could not do this. But then he found the ideal sport which he could do from a sitting position: laser shooting. He tried it out and, without any training whatsoever, he was hitting the bullseye each time – he knew straightaway that this was the sport for him!

Louise Naylor loves her bike. Having sustained cauda equina syndrome which left her with an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) and weakness in her lower limbs, at EWA we were delighted to help Louise get back on her bike.

With our introduction, Louise purchased her own Berkelbike Pro a few years ago and this has been instrumental in getting her back to cycling. The benefits of this type of bike are that it is powered by either, or both, arms and legs with, or without, the assistance of Functional Electrical Stimulation. This allows people with SCI, like Louise, to actively cycle using their own muscles.

But like many people with a SCI, health issues can arise and Louise is no exception. She has recently experienced a bladder prolapse which meant that cycling, especially outdoors, became out of the question as she needed to be close to a toilet at all times. So Louise found a way to keep herself fit and keep her cycling going even with her bladder prolapse.

At EWA we always love to celebrate the professionals with whom we work and never more so than with Occupational Therapists  (OT) who are crucial, not only to our clients’ care but also to our case managers, many of whom have an OT background.

Sometimes it is good to celebrate a specialist aspect of occupational therapy and nowhere is this more prominent than with the new prosthetics that are technologically advancing all the time. We talked with Christa Wright who has a specialist interest in upper limb amputee prosthetics and is an OT consultant and associate adviser to a number of preferred private providers of upper limb prosthetics and myoelectric limbs and hands in the London area. (Myoelectric prostheses use signals from healthy, contracting muscles to control movements of the prosthesis.)

In the aftermath of a traumatic injury the thought of returning to work is quite a distant one. Coming to terms with the injury that has been sustained and, very possibly, a new way of doing things in life, not to mention the medical appointments, therapies and the lengthy litigation process itself, takes up virtually all available time. But, as things settle down, having a job, a reason to go out and meet people and to feel valued becomes a more attractive proposition. But what is it like to go back to the workplace after an injury?

At EWA we are delighted and proud to have had two of our clients with above knee amputations to trial the latest technology from Ottobock. The Genium X4, which launches in the UK on 11th September, is the latest in the range that Ottobock have created and is regarded as the gold standard knee prosthesis.

Continuing our series with specialist neurological physiotherapist Taher Dhuliawala of Neuroability Ltd we talked to Taher about managing post-neurological injury fatigue through a paced approach.  This method aims to enhance long term quality of life by avoiding the pitfalls of alternating between intense activity and subsequent exhaustion.

It is a sad reality that people with dark skin are more at risk from developing higher category pressure ulcers than those with lighter skin tones (Harms et al, 2014, Ahn et al, 2016). This is not because people with darker skin are more prone to pressure ulcers but is probably due to a much simpler fact: that the assessment protocols which have been designed to identify, and then assess, pressure ulcers have done so with lighter skin in mind. Identifying a Grade 1 pressure ulcer is vital to ensure that the ulcer does not worsen and become a very significant wound, leading to hospital admission. In traditional assessment protocols, nurses are told to look for redness but in darker skin tones, this is very difficult and redness will more likely appear as a bluish purple discolouration. So more pressure ulcers in the early stages go undetected in darker skinned people. This may be one reason why people of colour are 1.7 times more likely to require hospital admission that white skinned people. (Harms et al, 2014)

If you have had a catastrophic injury as a result of a motorcycling accident, the last thing you might want to do is get back on a motorbike. Not so Russ Lucier, who bought one, had it adapted and set off down the motorway as soon as he could.

At EWA we collaborate with a number of professionals to provide the best care and support to our clients. Taher Dhuliawala from Neuroability Limited is a specialist neurological physiotherapist who shares our aims to enable and empower our clients to achieve independence and the best quality of life. So today we are delighted to discuss one of a number of different topics upon which we can get his perspective and which affects many people with a neurodisability: fatigue and how it can be managed.

March 16th marks Disabled Access Day 2024 which is all about trying something new. At EWA we encourage all our clients to innovate as they feel able to, to find the solutions that work best for them. And that’s exactly what Stuart Wheeler did when, as a 17 year old, he came out of hospital reliant on a wheelchair to get about. Stuart was determined to make sure that he could access places and spaces just like everyone else, and he now shares those skills with others so they too have the best access possible.

We are very excited to celebrate International Wheelchair Day in conversation with Andrew Slorance, founder and CEO of Phoenix Instinct and the creator of the soon to be launched Phoenix i – an ultralight, carbon fibre, smart wheelchair.

Horse-riding can not only be a good form of exercise but also a therapy to those who have sustained a significant injury. The injury itself can make riding more difficult and so having some adaptations can make all the difference.

We know that being a diligent case manager is a role which requires the investment of a lot of time and thought, so our case managers reach capacity pretty quickly! This is one of the reasons we have brought together a number of case managers with a wealth of clinical experience who are committed to providing case management services to clients in London and the South East. And, as a dedicated team for that area, they are able to share experiences and discuss issues which are particularly relevant in this region. 

At the moment, the world seems torn apart by war and conflict which appears daily on our screens and the scenes from Ukraine and the Middle East are heart-breaking. Amongst all the human despair, it is easy to forget that among the victims of those conflicts are those who have suffered catastrophic injuries, amputations and spinal cord injuries who are also in desperate need of treatment and rehabilitation.

Giving evidence in court these days happens relatively rarely with all parties encouraged to settle cases whenever possible. But when a case does go to trial it is important that the experts in the case have the insight and experience required.

Emma Way is an experienced expert who has seen cases through right from the beginning to the end and that includes giving evidence at trial. She shares her top tips when going to trial from the simply practical to the truly insightful.

As the home nations progress in the Rugby World Cup, and the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup gets underway, we talk with a champion of Wheelchair Rugby, Robin Tarr, Paralympic gold medallist and chairman of the Wheelchair rugby club at Leicester Tigers.

When an individual suffers a catastrophic injury, the effects are often life changing. Whilst the focus is often on that person, to help them with their rehabilitation and plan their future, those around them may get neglected. However, at EWA we are always conscious that with any client we help, there are often several family members who are also trying to come to terms with the profound changes in their lives, as well as that of their loved one.

We all know that having a hobby can be relaxing and important for our mental well-being. But when this is a physical activity, a catastrophic injury can really affect the ability to still enjoy and engage with an interest or hobby. However, having that interest is no less important and the case managers at EWA recognise this and, where appropriate, try to enable clients to continue with their hobbies.

Revolutionising the world of orthotics and exoskeletons, the Keeogo only arrived in the UK in May 2022. Originating in Canada and designed initially for the military to promote endurance and strength during military operations, it started to then be used in the rehabilitation sector. In the last 12 months, it has begun transforming the lives of those who can benefit from its use here in the UK. We talked to Lynn Vale, a consultant clinical specialist with B-temia who created the Keeogo.

A catastrophic injury can affect so much that is familiar to us all. That may be the ability to do simple jobs that we took for granted or to be able to access places that we never even thought would be a problem. Nowhere is this made more manifest than in our own home.

As medico legal experts we know how important it is to get the job we are instructed on done just right. And so we thought we would ask a legal expert exactly what makes a good expert witness. William Latimer-Sayer KC is a leading silk who has advised in relation to many high value catastrophic claims so we asked him what he has found makes a good expert witness.

With the Chelsea Flower Show this week we decided to highlight the importance that gardening can have for some of our clients. Emma Way gave some insight into the value that creating a garden can have or how valuable it can be to maintain a gardening hobby from pre injury days.

We are all told how important good posture is but for someone with a spinal cord injury (SCI) this takes on a whole new dimension. For Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day we talk to Emma Linley, an occupational therapist and team lead at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre about the importance of seated postural management.

Emma Way Associates are delighted to be attending the APIL advanced brain and spinal cord injury conference being held at Celtic Manor in Newport between 17th and 19th May 2023. We are very excited to be exhibiting at this prestigious event and to have the opportunity to meet some of the leaders in the fields of litigation and rehabilitation.

Do come over to see us at our stand  – we would love to chat to you about the services we offer and how we may be able to help your clients. And if you drop a card into our draw you could also win a fabulous hamper!

So often priority is given to a physical injury but, as is well reported these days, there can often be a psychological impact of a physical injury which may initially go undetected. To mark Brain Injury Awareness Week we discuss how fluctuating capacity can impact on case management with Dr Pedro Areias Grilo, who holds a Consultant Clinical Psychologist post within the NHS, is a Visiting Lecturer at UEA and is the Clinical Head at Richardson Care.

Sian Francis joined EWA as an expert witness in relation to nursing care. Today we talked to her about her nursing experience in celebration of National Nurses Day on 12th May 2023.

Sian’s interest originally lay in studying and understanding anatomy and physiology and she developed an interest in holistic therapies early on. She started her nursing life as a healthcare assistant working on ‘the bank’ and then as an auxiliary nurse in a local district hospital which gave her a great grounding in many fields of medicine.

The 33rd AvMA clinical negligence conference was the first for AvMA’s new CEO Paul Whiteing and also our first attending as an exhibitor. And whilst the weather was pretty cool out on the Bournemouth beach, in contrast we had a very warm response in the conference halls.

For patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) managing postural alignment and movement is part of the rehabilitative process and includes consideration of the upper limbs. We talked to Emma Linley, an occupational therapist and team lead at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, about the importance of managing the upper limbs in a SCI patient with tetraplegia and we were fascinated about how crucial this is.

Disability Access Day on March 16th is an important date to mark the importance of those with a disability being able to access any space – workspace, public spaces, transport. But the most important space that those with a disability need to access is their own home which is why ensuring that it is fully accessible is crucial. Our case managers at EWA are always on hand to assist clients with making the right decisions when adapting their own home or purchasing a new home which will better cater for their needs.

In February 2022, BABICM (British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management) produced a report called ‘The Perfect Storm’ which surveyed members as to how they were coping with recruitment and retention of care staff post Brexit and post Covid. Having over 200 responses, BABICM picked up a number of trends.

Emma Way Associates are really looking forward to attending the 33rd AvMA Clinical Negligence Conference in Bournemouth on Thursday and Friday.

Our case managers and experts know how important AvMA is as a charity supporting those who have had a medical accident. But we also know how vital the AvMA conferences are to extending knowledge in the clinical negligence fields for experts and lawyers alike. It is also a great opportunity to get together with some of the leading practitioners and experts in the field and it is why, here at EWA, we are excited about meeting so many of you in Bournemouth this week.

Eloise James is an occupational therapist (OT) with 26 years of experience, much of it working within a specialist neurology setting with both brain injured and spinal cord injured clients. She has worked in NHS settings, specialising in rehabilitation as well as in the private sector. Having had experience of treating both these client groups, she has an in-depth knowledge of how specialist therapy and equipment can help transform the lives of those with these injuries.

The options and choices which many of our clients face in respect of their care are multitudinous and can seem very complex when starting out on their post injury journey. Choosing how to have a care package can sometimes seem like crossing a minefield as there are so many pitfalls and unknowns when you start.

At EWA we know how difficult these choices can be so in the next few blogs we are going to consider the different care options that there are and the pros and cons of choosing each, whilst talking to our clients who have already taken this journey.

We enjoy sharing the enthusiasm that some of our clients have in pieces of equipment that they use. And this is very evident in the delight that our client, David, has shown in a piece of equipment. Although he has only had it for just over 2 months it has already transformed his life.

Going to an airport these days is not always easy and stress free. There are always queues to wait in, security to navigate and that’s before you even attempt to get on the plane when there are narrow spaces to get through, passengers to move among and hand luggage to stow away.

We pride ourselves on the professionalism and experience of our medico-legal experts at EWA. But it is always good to be reminded of the duties we have as experts under Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules. And nowhere was that more graphically demonstrated than in the recent case of Muyepa v Ministry of Defence

Emma Way Associates are proud to be supporting CESCI (Cauda Equina Spinal Cord Injury) as the recipient of donations this Christmas in lieu of Christmas cards and are also proud to highlight the wonderful work that Allison Whitehorn does leading CESCI which we believe really does transform lives of those with cauda equina injuries.

Despite his degenerative condition, Pete paints. The artworks Pete creates are sold to help raise money for charity – And not charities relating to his condition but ones which are close to the hearts of his friends and loved ones. EWA are proud to become owners of one of Pete’s paintings which will be displayed in the EWA office for the team and visitors to enjoy. It reminds us every day of what our clients achieve. We spoke with Pete about his art and how it affects him.

We are delighted at Emma Way Associates (EWA) to announce the publication of our inspection report from CQC confirming that a GOOD rating has been awarded in all five key lines of enquiry and areas of service provision. These are listed as Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

Pressure ulcers are among the commonest complication for those with a spinal cord injury. A pressure ulcer develops when continuous unrelieved pressure is applied to any tissue of the body and usually occurs over a bony prominence. Continuous pressure prevents the blood from flowing through the tiny blood vessels that then starve the tissue of oxygen, creating a build-up of waste products. Infection can spread into the bloodstream and, in severe cases, may become life threatening.

This week marks Occupational Therapy Week 2022 celebrating how occupational therapy and therapists can really transform what people with disabilities can achieve for themselves. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) are launching a campaign ‘Lift up your Everyday’ and this is something that here at EWA we can feel completely in tune with as we try to achieve just this level of positivity with our clients.

Today we talk to Lisa Honan who is an experienced case manager working with EWA since 2017. Lisa looks after some of the most complex orthopaedic injury clients and believes in keeping a smaller case load so that she can give 100% to each of her clients.

Regi has dwarfism as well as sustaining neurological loss which has meant that he is now a wheelchair user. But that has simply made him seek more from life and, much to the surprise of his mother Neri, he has become a brilliant cook! He used to cook when he was in school but never showed much interest in it. But since having sustained his injury he has not only shown a lot of interest in learning how to cook, but he has become very proficient indeed.

It’s wonderful to be chatting with someone who has sustained a spinal cord injury and hear that they are now fitter than they were before they had their accident.

One of our clients  joined the Burton Wheelchair rugby team, which is fortunate to be trained by a Paralympic gold medallist. Training takes place every Saturday and sometimes mid-week too. As well as improving his fitness, it has also become the centre of his social life with all the benefits for mental health that this can bring.

We spoke with Richard Williams who raises funds for the Burton Wheelchair Rugby Club.

As with any disability, taking a holiday for people with a brain injury  can seem a very daunting prospect. But it can also have immense therapeutic benefits. We have been delighted to talk about holidays with experienced Occupational Therapist (OT), Jennie Clark, who now runs her own company, The Brain Injury Holiday Company, which facilitates holidays for those with an acquired brain injury.

Having worked for over 20 years treating brain injured people as an OT assistant, Jennie qualified as an OT 7 years ago. Over the years she was very conscious of the fact that so many people with a brain injury simply never went on holiday.

Have you heard of Cybathlon? Did you know that at the end of October a really exciting international competition was taking place in Zurich? If you didn’t you would not be alone, but we believe that Cybathlon, which has taken place since 2013 in beautiful Switzerland, should be much better known. This non-profit project showcases ground breaking work in the field of technological advances for those with disabilities in a very different way.

Emma Way attended the event and found it truly inspiring.

Moving house is reputedly one of the most stressful things you can do. Moving house with a disability is even more challenging.

Louise Naylor and her partner decided to move from their home in Leicestershire up to Fife in Scotland which is no small distance or challenge, but Louise, as ever, approached the impending move with positivity and practicality.

As we once more mark World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI) here at EWA we want to applaud the remarkably positive attitude of our clients with a SCI and ask them what makes a difference to their lives.

Susan experienced a catastrophic accident in 2019, sustaining a spinal cord injury when a car lost control and pinned her against a wall as she and her husband left the cinema, changing their lives forever.

Summer makes us all turn to think about holidays. These can be more complex for people with a spinal cord injury but one of EWA’s clients has had a wonderful holiday experience when she went cruising for the first time.

“I had just had a new power chair and the last thing I wanted when going away on holiday was to load it onto a plane and for something to happen to it! So we decided to take a no fly cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands.”

It’s getting to that time of year again when we start to plan holidays. But when one of us has a disability there are lots of additional things that have to be considered. Here at EWA our case managers are attuned to these issues and we have put together a thorough checklist of items to consider before embarking on a trip away.  We talked to one of our clients about his experiences as an amputee going away on a holiday.

On Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2024 we reflect on the progress made supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) since 1974! The 50th anniversary of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) provides us with an opportunity to see how life has changed for people with SCI over the past five decades.

On Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2024 we reflect on the progress made supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) since 1974! The 50th anniversary of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) provides us with an opportunity to see how life has changed for people with SCI over the past five decades.

Returning to normality and being able to do “normal” activities is one of the goals we, as case managers, try to help our clients achieve following a catastrophic injury. This is also a goal we share with Liz Morrison, founder of the Happiness Horsebox CIC which literally brings people with a disability and horses together.

At EWA we believe that working collaboratively with our NHS partners will achieve the the most successful outcome for our clients. We all share a common goal to get the best results for our clients both within the spinal centre and when our clients move towards independent living. A collaborative approach, we believe, can achieve this.

Championed by the Spinal Injuries Association, the 16th November marks Stop the Pressure Day, a day of raising awareness about pressure ulcers which will affect 95% of all patients with a spinal cord injury at some point in their lives.

On 27th October we celebrate World Occupational Therapy (OT) Day and we thought a great way to do so would be to talk to one of our latest OT medico-legal experts about what they love about being an OT and why they became an OT medico-legal expert.

As the Rugby Union World Cup tournament is played out across France, at EWA we decided to feature another form of rugby that has so many benefits for some of our clients: Wheelchair Rugby.

Just as rugby can seem like a terrifying sport as players tackle and tumble on the field,  wheelchair rugby can also seem brutal with the noise of crashing and banging  that can come from the wheelchair rugby court, often made louder by the fact the sport is played indoors with wheelchairs smashing into each other!

As case managers, but especially when advising in medico-legal reports, we are seeing an increasing challenge when valuing the cost of care in what is an increasingly challenging marketplace. Costs are escalating as staff shortages continue to be problematic.

It is a very sad fact that vulnerable people can sometimes be taken advantage of, whether that is due to financial or emotional abuse or sometimes, albeit rarely, inadvertently being made complicit in criminal activity.

Jonathan has an incomplete spinal cord injury which has left him with limited mobility and reduced grip. Living in a two bedroom flat in London, Jonathan was always very house proud and kept his flat immaculate before his injury so it was really important to him that these standards be maintained.

The last decade or so has seen a lot of change in the world of case management, especially where this is related to catastrophic personal injury claims.

Emma Way, Managing Director of Emma Way Associates has offered her views as to how case management has evolved and where she sees this going.

Evette loves her horses. Before she had her injury she had learned to ride describing herself as a ‘happy hacker,’ often riding horses that she was loaned for a period of time.

But after she sustained her injury resulting in a right below knee amputation she had to learn to ride in a different way.

EWA experts are experienced in costing care for medico legal reports, taking into account the complex care needs many catastrophically injured people need. Where care needs are high, EWA experts are mindful of the requirements of the Working Time Directive (WTD) and how this may impact on care provision, especially where there is a live in carer and the time they work will exceed the 48 hours allowed by the Directive. There are various opt outs which a support worker can elect to utilise but this has to be considered carefully when costing for care as not all support workers will be willing to do so and it may not be safe for the opt out to be exercised.

We hear a lot about the “new normal” these days. But for many of EWA’s clients, adapting to a new normal is part of the course. Following any catastrophic injury comes a period of adjustment to allow time to rehabilitate and to get used to how to do things in a different way: in other words, to find your own “new normal”.

The third and final of our blog series relates to the least commonly used type of care package: that of utilising self-employed support workers. There is a place for self employed care and at EWA we do recognise the benefits, but we also see the pitfalls of self-employed support workers.

Care provision and how it is delivered is very much a personal choice and it may well be that when you come home from hospital being faced with becoming an employer, along with everything else that you need to contend with, is the last thing on your mind. Following on from our post last week looking at specialist agency care, this week we consider direct employment of support workers which, as a care package settles in, is often seen as the most popular and efficient mode of care provision.

At EWA we take the quality of the services we offer very seriously. As a growing independent company, we are proud to have achieved CQC registration to give reassurance to all our clients that we are confident about the standards and level of care and service we offer.

Choosing a case manager is not always as easy as it sounds. Lots of people who have had a catastrophic injury are advised to have a case manager involved in their care and to coordinate their rehabilitation. But, more often than not, before this point, most people will have never heard of a case manager, let alone know what they do and, even more importantly, know how to choose the right one.

“You are not broken” is one of the many inspirational mantras that is used to motivate a better sense of well-being. Never could that particular quote be more applicable to those who have experienced a spinal cord injury (SCI), where patients often feel, initially at least, physically and emotionally broken.

Expert witnesses in litigation cases are key to the case’s success, whether that is in establishing liability or valuing a claim once liability has been resolved.

The government is talking about the care sector and the Chancellor has even raised taxes to try and pay for a better social care sector. Suddenly, wherever we look, care and its affordability is in the news. But it is not just the elderly that require care. 

Here at EWA we are lucky to have a really talented team of case managers. But what makes a great case manager and how have we got such a stellar team here at EWA?

We talk today to Kate Gibbons who is the senior case manager at Emma Way Associates. Kate’s enthusiasm for her job and the transformative effect her role can have on her clients’ lives is palpable.

Being an expert witness in a legal case calculating compensation after a catastrophic injury is a very responsible role to play. It is established that experts can make or break a case: they have to balance the needs of those who instruct them with their duty of independence to the Court. It can be a difficult balance to achieve and requires experience and real competence in the field of expertise. It also needs courage to not only stand up to opponents’ experts in joint meetings or in cross examination at trial, where necessary, but also to maintain that ever important independence.

After experiencing a catastrophic injury there is just so much to come to terms with and to get your head around. The change, which is often very sudden, can be overwhelming and, at first, you may think that the last thing you need at this point would be a stranger coming into your life and asking lots of sometimes quite awkward questions. If this is you, then you are not alone! So many people feel daunted with having a case manager involved in their lives.

“Where you are now is not where you will always be. Just keep on trying and know that tomorrow really is a new day.” So says Jen Goodwin who has a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) but knows that each day, striving for more can bring fresh hope and inspiration.

Having a great office manager is important for any business but at EWA Di German takes her role to another level: she has made the role her own and also made it a deeply fulfilling one.

We are proud to source and provide the most bespoke equipment for our clients. We know that this not only has the best therapeutic effect but we also know that if the equipment provides enjoyment it is much more likely to get used, and used more often!

Louise Naylor developed cauda equina syndrome some 10 years ago which left her with an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) with weakness in her lower limbs and severe pain. Having enjoyed running and cycling this came as an enormous blow but, at EWA, we have tried to find a way to get Louise back on her bike.

The last two years have highlighted to everyone how having infringements on independence really does inhibit freedoms that we all take for granted. Having to do lateral flow tests, keeping a distance and taking a mask with us when going to the supermarket slowed us up and made us all think before we were able to go about everyday activities, which we would never normally do. Having to be that little bit more isolated from one another is something few of us are sorry to leave behind. But it also perhaps gave a glimpse of what it is like living with an injury where very often you are less independent than you once were, you may feel more isolated and you have to plan your moves with much more care and organisation.

As case managers it is often helpful for our clients if we can make payments on their behalf for equipment, therapies or other services. It makes life much smoother for our clients and, where a solicitor is still involved in proceedings, costs considerably less than the legal team dealing with it.

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make the real difference to quality of life. And sometimes it is something really simple that can make a very real difference to having independence or not.

At EWA we love to share really positive stories about people with a spinal cord injury. And it’s hard to find anything more inspirational than Jonathan Walsh’s experience.

Jonathan sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury which left him with reduced core body strength, loss of grip and restricted mobility. In 2019 he was told about a wheelchair which used the principles of self-balancing to work, and that he may want to try it. This was an Omeo personal mobility device. And he loved it. The Omeo did not require a grip – it could be propelled by a joystick or by simply using core body movements. The only problem was the price which, in 2019, was upwards of £15,000!

Elizabeth Edwards is over the moon to be working with Emma Way Associates and is getting brilliant testimonials from the lawyers for whom she is now providing expert reports. Described as concise and providing exactly what they want, such feedback shows what an excellent and well respected expert Liz is becoming.

When a catastrophic injury strikes, it can feel as if the world has fallen apart for that person and their family. But with good, personal case management life can start to return to something like normality and even hobbies that may, at one time, have seemed impossible to pursue, can once more be enjoyed.

At EWA we are often asked to provide an Immediate Needs Assessment (INA) for a client. This is usually the starting point for a rehabilitation process which can make a significant difference for the injured person aiming to live more independently following their serious injury and lengthy hospital stay.

We know that being an expert witness is a crucial role in the litigation process and that a great deal will hinge on the report and recommendations that we, as experts, make. But we know too that there will be much scrutiny of those recommendations not only from our clients and those who instruct us, but also from our opponents and ultimately the court itself. We know that a lot of hard work must be inputted to get the right report and ensure that it can withstand scrutiny and that we, as experts, can sit in joint meetings or in the witness box and defend our position. But is that all? We decided to check in with someone who knows exactly what they are looking for in an expert.

Today, is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disability. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

At EWA we are delighted and proud to have had two of our clients with above knee amputations to trial the latest technology from Ottobock. The Genium X4, which launches in the UK on 11th September, is the latest in the range that Ottobock have created and is regarded as the gold standard knee prosthesis.

At EWA we are delighted and proud to have had two of our clients with above knee amputations to trial the latest technology from Ottobock. The Genium X4, which launches in the UK on 11th September, is the latest in the range that Ottobock have created and is regarded as the gold standard knee prosthesis.

Continuing our series with specialist neurological physiotherapist Taher Dhuliawala of Neuroability Ltd we talked to Taher about managing post-neurological injury fatigue through a paced approach.  This method aims to enhance long term quality of life by avoiding the pitfalls of alternating between intense activity and subsequent exhaustion.

It is a sad reality that people with dark skin are more at risk from developing higher category pressure ulcers than those with lighter skin tones (Harms et al, 2014, Ahn et al, 2016). This is not because people with darker skin are more prone to pressure ulcers but is probably due to a much simpler fact: that the assessment protocols which have been designed to identify, and then assess, pressure ulcers have done so with lighter skin in mind. Identifying a Grade 1 pressure ulcer is vital to ensure that the ulcer does not worsen and become a very significant wound, leading to hospital admission. In traditional assessment protocols, nurses are told to look for redness but in darker skin tones, this is very difficult and redness will more likely appear as a bluish purple discolouration. So more pressure ulcers in the early stages go undetected in darker skinned people. This may be one reason why people of colour are 1.7 times more likely to require hospital admission that white skinned people. (Harms et al, 2014)

If you have had a catastrophic injury as a result of a motorcycling accident, the last thing you might want to do is get back on a motorbike. Not so Russ Lucier, who bought one, had it adapted and set off down the motorway as soon as he could.

At EWA we collaborate with a number of professionals to provide the best care and support to our clients. Taher Dhuliawala from Neuroability Limited is a specialist neurological physiotherapist who shares our aims to enable and empower our clients to achieve independence and the best quality of life. So today we are delighted to discuss one of a number of different topics upon which we can get his perspective and which affects many people with a neurodisability: fatigue and how it can be managed.

March 16th marks Disabled Access Day 2024 which is all about trying something new. At EWA we encourage all our clients to innovate as they feel able to, to find the solutions that work best for them. And that’s exactly what Stuart Wheeler did when, as a 17 year old, he came out of hospital reliant on a wheelchair to get about. Stuart was determined to make sure that he could access places and spaces just like everyone else, and he now shares those skills with others so they too have the best access possible.

We are very excited to celebrate International Wheelchair Day in conversation with Andrew Slorance, founder and CEO of Phoenix Instinct and the creator of the soon to be launched Phoenix i – an ultralight, carbon fibre, smart wheelchair.

Horse-riding can not only be a good form of exercise but also a therapy to those who have sustained a significant injury. The injury itself can make riding more difficult and so having some adaptations can make all the difference.

We know that being a diligent case manager is a role which requires the investment of a lot of time and thought, so our case managers reach capacity pretty quickly! This is one of the reasons we have brought together a number of case managers with a wealth of clinical experience who are committed to providing case management services to clients in London and the South East. And, as a dedicated team for that area, they are able to share experiences and discuss issues which are particularly relevant in this region. 

At the moment, the world seems torn apart by war and conflict which appears daily on our screens and the scenes from Ukraine and the Middle East are heart-breaking. Amongst all the human despair, it is easy to forget that among the victims of those conflicts are those who have suffered catastrophic injuries, amputations and spinal cord injuries who are also in desperate need of treatment and rehabilitation.

Giving evidence in court these days happens relatively rarely with all parties encouraged to settle cases whenever possible. But when a case does go to trial it is important that the experts in the case have the insight and experience required.

Emma Way is an experienced expert who has seen cases through right from the beginning to the end and that includes giving evidence at trial. She shares her top tips when going to trial from the simply practical to the truly insightful.

As the home nations progress in the Rugby World Cup, and the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup gets underway, we talk with a champion of Wheelchair Rugby, Robin Tarr, Paralympic gold medallist and chairman of the Wheelchair rugby club at Leicester Tigers.

When an individual suffers a catastrophic injury, the effects are often life changing. Whilst the focus is often on that person, to help them with their rehabilitation and plan their future, those around them may get neglected. However, at EWA we are always conscious that with any client we help, there are often several family members who are also trying to come to terms with the profound changes in their lives, as well as that of their loved one.

We all know that having a hobby can be relaxing and important for our mental well-being. But when this is a physical activity, a catastrophic injury can really affect the ability to still enjoy and engage with an interest or hobby. However, having that interest is no less important and the case managers at EWA recognise this and, where appropriate, try to enable clients to continue with their hobbies.

Revolutionising the world of orthotics and exoskeletons, the Keeogo only arrived in the UK in May 2022. Originating in Canada and designed initially for the military to promote endurance and strength during military operations, it started to then be used in the rehabilitation sector. In the last 12 months, it has begun transforming the lives of those who can benefit from its use here in the UK. We talked to Lynn Vale, a consultant clinical specialist with B-temia who created the Keeogo.

A catastrophic injury can affect so much that is familiar to us all. That may be the ability to do simple jobs that we took for granted or to be able to access places that we never even thought would be a problem. Nowhere is this made more manifest than in our own home.

As medico legal experts we know how important it is to get the job we are instructed on done just right. And so we thought we would ask a legal expert exactly what makes a good expert witness. William Latimer-Sayer KC is a leading silk who has advised in relation to many high value catastrophic claims so we asked him what he has found makes a good expert witness.

With the Chelsea Flower Show this week we decided to highlight the importance that gardening can have for some of our clients. Emma Way gave some insight into the value that creating a garden can have or how valuable it can be to maintain a gardening hobby from pre injury days.

We are all told how important good posture is but for someone with a spinal cord injury (SCI) this takes on a whole new dimension. For Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day we talk to Emma Linley, an occupational therapist and team lead at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre about the importance of seated postural management.

Emma Way Associates are delighted to be attending the APIL advanced brain and spinal cord injury conference being held at Celtic Manor in Newport between 17th and 19th May 2023. We are very excited to be exhibiting at this prestigious event and to have the opportunity to meet some of the leaders in the fields of litigation and rehabilitation.

Do come over to see us at our stand  – we would love to chat to you about the services we offer and how we may be able to help your clients. And if you drop a card into our draw you could also win a fabulous hamper!

So often priority is given to a physical injury but, as is well reported these days, there can often be a psychological impact of a physical injury which may initially go undetected. To mark Brain Injury Awareness Week we discuss how fluctuating capacity can impact on case management with Dr Pedro Areias Grilo, who holds a Consultant Clinical Psychologist post within the NHS, is a Visiting Lecturer at UEA and is the Clinical Head at Richardson Care.

Sian Francis joined EWA as an expert witness in relation to nursing care. Today we talked to her about her nursing experience in celebration of National Nurses Day on 12th May 2023.

Sian’s interest originally lay in studying and understanding anatomy and physiology and she developed an interest in holistic therapies early on. She started her nursing life as a healthcare assistant working on ‘the bank’ and then as an auxiliary nurse in a local district hospital which gave her a great grounding in many fields of medicine.

The 33rd AvMA clinical negligence conference was the first for AvMA’s new CEO Paul Whiteing and also our first attending as an exhibitor. And whilst the weather was pretty cool out on the Bournemouth beach, in contrast we had a very warm response in the conference halls.

For patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) managing postural alignment and movement is part of the rehabilitative process and includes consideration of the upper limbs. We talked to Emma Linley, an occupational therapist and team lead at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, about the importance of managing the upper limbs in a SCI patient with tetraplegia and we were fascinated about how crucial this is.

Disability Access Day on March 16th is an important date to mark the importance of those with a disability being able to access any space – workspace, public spaces, transport. But the most important space that those with a disability need to access is their own home which is why ensuring that it is fully accessible is crucial. Our case managers at EWA are always on hand to assist clients with making the right decisions when adapting their own home or purchasing a new home which will better cater for their needs.

In February 2022, BABICM (British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management) produced a report called ‘The Perfect Storm’ which surveyed members as to how they were coping with recruitment and retention of care staff post Brexit and post Covid. Having over 200 responses, BABICM picked up a number of trends.

Emma Way Associates are really looking forward to attending the 33rd AvMA Clinical Negligence Conference in Bournemouth on Thursday and Friday.

Our case managers and experts know how important AvMA is as a charity supporting those who have had a medical accident. But we also know how vital the AvMA conferences are to extending knowledge in the clinical negligence fields for experts and lawyers alike. It is also a great opportunity to get together with some of the leading practitioners and experts in the field and it is why, here at EWA, we are excited about meeting so many of you in Bournemouth this week.

Eloise James is an occupational therapist (OT) with 26 years of experience, much of it working within a specialist neurology setting with both brain injured and spinal cord injured clients. She has worked in NHS settings, specialising in rehabilitation as well as in the private sector. Having had experience of treating both these client groups, she has an in-depth knowledge of how specialist therapy and equipment can help transform the lives of those with these injuries.

The options and choices which many of our clients face in respect of their care are multitudinous and can seem very complex when starting out on their post injury journey. Choosing how to have a care package can sometimes seem like crossing a minefield as there are so many pitfalls and unknowns when you start.

At EWA we know how difficult these choices can be so in the next few blogs we are going to consider the different care options that there are and the pros and cons of choosing each, whilst talking to our clients who have already taken this journey.

We enjoy sharing the enthusiasm that some of our clients have in pieces of equipment that they use. And this is very evident in the delight that our client, David, has shown in a piece of equipment. Although he has only had it for just over 2 months it has already transformed his life.

Going to an airport these days is not always easy and stress free. There are always queues to wait in, security to navigate and that’s before you even attempt to get on the plane when there are narrow spaces to get through, passengers to move among and hand luggage to stow away.

We pride ourselves on the professionalism and experience of our medico-legal experts at EWA. But it is always good to be reminded of the duties we have as experts under Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules. And nowhere was that more graphically demonstrated than in the recent case of Muyepa v Ministry of Defence

Emma Way Associates are proud to be supporting CESCI (Cauda Equina Spinal Cord Injury) as the recipient of donations this Christmas in lieu of Christmas cards and are also proud to highlight the wonderful work that Allison Whitehorn does leading CESCI which we believe really does transform lives of those with cauda equina injuries.

Despite his degenerative condition, Pete paints. The artworks Pete creates are sold to help raise money for charity – And not charities relating to his condition but ones which are close to the hearts of his friends and loved ones. EWA are proud to become owners of one of Pete’s paintings which will be displayed in the EWA office for the team and visitors to enjoy. It reminds us every day of what our clients achieve. We spoke with Pete about his art and how it affects him.

We are delighted at Emma Way Associates (EWA) to announce the publication of our inspection report from CQC confirming that a GOOD rating has been awarded in all five key lines of enquiry and areas of service provision. These are listed as Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

Pressure ulcers are among the commonest complication for those with a spinal cord injury. A pressure ulcer develops when continuous unrelieved pressure is applied to any tissue of the body and usually occurs over a bony prominence. Continuous pressure prevents the blood from flowing through the tiny blood vessels that then starve the tissue of oxygen, creating a build-up of waste products. Infection can spread into the bloodstream and, in severe cases, may become life threatening.

This week marks Occupational Therapy Week 2022 celebrating how occupational therapy and therapists can really transform what people with disabilities can achieve for themselves. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) are launching a campaign ‘Lift up your Everyday’ and this is something that here at EWA we can feel completely in tune with as we try to achieve just this level of positivity with our clients.

Today we talk to Lisa Honan who is an experienced case manager working with EWA since 2017. Lisa looks after some of the most complex orthopaedic injury clients and believes in keeping a smaller case load so that she can give 100% to each of her clients.

As we once more mark World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI) here at EWA we want to applaud the remarkably positive attitude of our clients with a SCI and ask them what makes a difference to their lives.

Susan experienced a catastrophic accident in 2019, sustaining a spinal cord injury when a car lost control and pinned her against a wall as she and her husband left the cinema, changing their lives forever.

As we once more mark World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI) here at EWA we want to applaud the remarkably positive attitude of our clients with a SCI and ask them what makes a difference to their lives.

Susan experienced a catastrophic accident in 2019, sustaining a spinal cord injury when a car lost control and pinned her against a wall as she and her husband left the cinema, changing their lives forever.

As we once more mark World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI) here at EWA we want to applaud the remarkably positive attitude of our clients with a SCI and ask them what makes a difference to their lives.

Susan experienced a catastrophic accident in 2019, sustaining a spinal cord injury when a car lost control and pinned her against a wall as she and her husband left the cinema, changing their lives forever.

As we once more mark World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI) here at EWA we want to applaud the remarkably positive attitude of our clients with a SCI and ask them what makes a difference to their lives.

Susan experienced a catastrophic accident in 2019, sustaining a spinal cord injury when a car lost control and pinned her against a wall as she and her husband left the cinema, changing their lives forever.

Summer makes us all turn to think about holidays. These can be more complex for people with a spinal cord injury but one of EWA’s clients has had a wonderful holiday experience when she went cruising for the first time.

“I had just had a new power chair and the last thing I wanted when going away on holiday was to load it onto a plane and for something to happen to it! So we decided to take a no fly cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands.”

It’s getting to that time of year again when we start to plan holidays. But when one of us has a disability there are lots of additional things that have to be considered. Here at EWA our case managers are attuned to these issues and we have put together a thorough checklist of items to consider before embarking on a trip away.  We talked to one of our clients about his experiences as an amputee going away on a holiday.

On Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2024 we reflect on the progress made supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) since 1974! The 50th anniversary of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) provides us with an opportunity to see how life has changed for people with SCI over the past five decades.

On Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2024 we reflect on the progress made supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) since 1974! The 50th anniversary of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) provides us with an opportunity to see how life has changed for people with SCI over the past five decades.

Returning to normality and being able to do “normal” activities is one of the goals we, as case managers, try to help our clients achieve following a catastrophic injury. This is also a goal we share with Liz Morrison, founder of the Happiness Horsebox CIC which literally brings people with a disability and horses together.

At EWA we believe that working collaboratively with our NHS partners will achieve the the most successful outcome for our clients. We all share a common goal to get the best results for our clients both within the spinal centre and when our clients move towards independent living. A collaborative approach, we believe, can achieve this.

Championed by the Spinal Injuries Association, the 16th November marks Stop the Pressure Day, a day of raising awareness about pressure ulcers which will affect 95% of all patients with a spinal cord injury at some point in their lives.

On 27th October we celebrate World Occupational Therapy (OT) Day and we thought a great way to do so would be to talk to one of our latest OT medico-legal experts about what they love about being an OT and why they became an OT medico-legal expert.

As the Rugby Union World Cup tournament is played out across France, at EWA we decided to feature another form of rugby that has so many benefits for some of our clients: Wheelchair Rugby.

Just as rugby can seem like a terrifying sport as players tackle and tumble on the field,  wheelchair rugby can also seem brutal with the noise of crashing and banging  that can come from the wheelchair rugby court, often made louder by the fact the sport is played indoors with wheelchairs smashing into each other!

As case managers, but especially when advising in medico-legal reports, we are seeing an increasing challenge when valuing the cost of care in what is an increasingly challenging marketplace. Costs are escalating as staff shortages continue to be problematic.

It is a very sad fact that vulnerable people can sometimes be taken advantage of, whether that is due to financial or emotional abuse or sometimes, albeit rarely, inadvertently being made complicit in criminal activity.

Jonathan has an incomplete spinal cord injury which has left him with limited mobility and reduced grip. Living in a two bedroom flat in London, Jonathan was always very house proud and kept his flat immaculate before his injury so it was really important to him that these standards be maintained.

The last decade or so has seen a lot of change in the world of case management, especially where this is related to catastrophic personal injury claims.

Emma Way, Managing Director of Emma Way Associates has offered her views as to how case management has evolved and where she sees this going.

Evette loves her horses. Before she had her injury she had learned to ride describing herself as a ‘happy hacker,’ often riding horses that she was loaned for a period of time.

But after she sustained her injury resulting in a right below knee amputation she had to learn to ride in a different way.

EWA experts are experienced in costing care for medico legal reports, taking into account the complex care needs many catastrophically injured people need. Where care needs are high, EWA experts are mindful of the requirements of the Working Time Directive (WTD) and how this may impact on care provision, especially where there is a live in carer and the time they work will exceed the 48 hours allowed by the Directive. There are various opt outs which a support worker can elect to utilise but this has to be considered carefully when costing for care as not all support workers will be willing to do so and it may not be safe for the opt out to be exercised.

We hear a lot about the “new normal” these days. But for many of EWA’s clients, adapting to a new normal is part of the course. Following any catastrophic injury comes a period of adjustment to allow time to rehabilitate and to get used to how to do things in a different way: in other words, to find your own “new normal”.

The third and final of our blog series relates to the least commonly used type of care package: that of utilising self-employed support workers. There is a place for self employed care and at EWA we do recognise the benefits, but we also see the pitfalls of self-employed support workers.

Care provision and how it is delivered is very much a personal choice and it may well be that when you come home from hospital being faced with becoming an employer, along with everything else that you need to contend with, is the last thing on your mind. Following on from our post last week looking at specialist agency care, this week we consider direct employment of support workers which, as a care package settles in, is often seen as the most popular and efficient mode of care provision.

At EWA we take the quality of the services we offer very seriously. As a growing independent company, we are proud to have achieved CQC registration to give reassurance to all our clients that we are confident about the standards and level of care and service we offer.

Choosing a case manager is not always as easy as it sounds. Lots of people who have had a catastrophic injury are advised to have a case manager involved in their care and to coordinate their rehabilitation. But, more often than not, before this point, most people will have never heard of a case manager, let alone know what they do and, even more importantly, know how to choose the right one.

“You are not broken” is one of the many inspirational mantras that is used to motivate a better sense of well-being. Never could that particular quote be more applicable to those who have experienced a spinal cord injury (SCI), where patients often feel, initially at least, physically and emotionally broken.

Expert witnesses in litigation cases are key to the case’s success, whether that is in establishing liability or valuing a claim once liability has been resolved.

The government is talking about the care sector and the Chancellor has even raised taxes to try and pay for a better social care sector. Suddenly, wherever we look, care and its affordability is in the news. But it is not just the elderly that require care. 

Here at EWA we are lucky to have a really talented team of case managers. But what makes a great case manager and how have we got such a stellar team here at EWA?

We talk today to Kate Gibbons who is the senior case manager at Emma Way Associates. Kate’s enthusiasm for her job and the transformative effect her role can have on her clients’ lives is palpable.

Being an expert witness in a legal case calculating compensation after a catastrophic injury is a very responsible role to play. It is established that experts can make or break a case: they have to balance the needs of those who instruct them with their duty of independence to the Court. It can be a difficult balance to achieve and requires experience and real competence in the field of expertise. It also needs courage to not only stand up to opponents’ experts in joint meetings or in cross examination at trial, where necessary, but also to maintain that ever important independence.

After experiencing a catastrophic injury there is just so much to come to terms with and to get your head around. The change, which is often very sudden, can be overwhelming and, at first, you may think that the last thing you need at this point would be a stranger coming into your life and asking lots of sometimes quite awkward questions. If this is you, then you are not alone! So many people feel daunted with having a case manager involved in their lives.

“Where you are now is not where you will always be. Just keep on trying and know that tomorrow really is a new day.” So says Jen Goodwin who has a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) but knows that each day, striving for more can bring fresh hope and inspiration.

Having a great office manager is important for any business but at EWA Di German takes her role to another level: she has made the role her own and also made it a deeply fulfilling one.

We are proud to source and provide the most bespoke equipment for our clients. We know that this not only has the best therapeutic effect but we also know that if the equipment provides enjoyment it is much more likely to get used, and used more often!

Louise Naylor developed cauda equina syndrome some 10 years ago which left her with an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) with weakness in her lower limbs and severe pain. Having enjoyed running and cycling this came as an enormous blow but, at EWA, we have tried to find a way to get Louise back on her bike.

The last two years have highlighted to everyone how having infringements on independence really does inhibit freedoms that we all take for granted. Having to do lateral flow tests, keeping a distance and taking a mask with us when going to the supermarket slowed us up and made us all think before we were able to go about everyday activities, which we would never normally do. Having to be that little bit more isolated from one another is something few of us are sorry to leave behind. But it also perhaps gave a glimpse of what it is like living with an injury where very often you are less independent than you once were, you may feel more isolated and you have to plan your moves with much more care and organisation.

As case managers it is often helpful for our clients if we can make payments on their behalf for equipment, therapies or other services. It makes life much smoother for our clients and, where a solicitor is still involved in proceedings, costs considerably less than the legal team dealing with it.

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make the real difference to quality of life. And sometimes it is something really simple that can make a very real difference to having independence or not.

At EWA we love to share really positive stories about people with a spinal cord injury. And it’s hard to find anything more inspirational than Jonathan Walsh’s experience.

Jonathan sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury which left him with reduced core body strength, loss of grip and restricted mobility. In 2019 he was told about a wheelchair which used the principles of self-balancing to work, and that he may want to try it. This was an Omeo personal mobility device. And he loved it. The Omeo did not require a grip – it could be propelled by a joystick or by simply using core body movements. The only problem was the price which, in 2019, was upwards of £15,000!

Elizabeth Edwards is over the moon to be working with Emma Way Associates and is getting brilliant testimonials from the lawyers for whom she is now providing expert reports. Described as concise and providing exactly what they want, such feedback shows what an excellent and well respected expert Liz is becoming.

When a catastrophic injury strikes, it can feel as if the world has fallen apart for that person and their family. But with good, personal case management life can start to return to something like normality and even hobbies that may, at one time, have seemed impossible to pursue, can once more be enjoyed.

At EWA we are often asked to provide an Immediate Needs Assessment (INA) for a client. This is usually the starting point for a rehabilitation process which can make a significant difference for the injured person aiming to live more independently following their serious injury and lengthy hospital stay.

We know that being an expert witness is a crucial role in the litigation process and that a great deal will hinge on the report and recommendations that we, as experts, make. But we know too that there will be much scrutiny of those recommendations not only from our clients and those who instruct us, but also from our opponents and ultimately the court itself. We know that a lot of hard work must be inputted to get the right report and ensure that it can withstand scrutiny and that we, as experts, can sit in joint meetings or in the witness box and defend our position. But is that all? We decided to check in with someone who knows exactly what they are looking for in an expert.

Today, is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disability. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

At EWA we are delighted and proud to have had two of our clients with above knee amputations to trial the latest technology from Ottobock. The Genium X4, which launches in the UK on 11th September, is the latest in the range that Ottobock have created and is regarded as the gold standard knee prosthesis.

At EWA we are delighted and proud to have had two of our clients with above knee amputations to trial the latest technology from Ottobock. The Genium X4, which launches in the UK on 11th September, is the latest in the range that Ottobock have created and is regarded as the gold standard knee prosthesis.

Continuing our series with specialist neurological physiotherapist Taher Dhuliawala of Neuroability Ltd we talked to Taher about managing post-neurological injury fatigue through a paced approach.  This method aims to enhance long term quality of life by avoiding the pitfalls of alternating between intense activity and subsequent exhaustion.

It is a sad reality that people with dark skin are more at risk from developing higher category pressure ulcers than those with lighter skin tones (Harms et al, 2014, Ahn et al, 2016). This is not because people with darker skin are more prone to pressure ulcers but is probably due to a much simpler fact: that the assessment protocols which have been designed to identify, and then assess, pressure ulcers have done so with lighter skin in mind. Identifying a Grade 1 pressure ulcer is vital to ensure that the ulcer does not worsen and become a very significant wound, leading to hospital admission. In traditional assessment protocols, nurses are told to look for redness but in darker skin tones, this is very difficult and redness will more likely appear as a bluish purple discolouration. So more pressure ulcers in the early stages go undetected in darker skinned people. This may be one reason why people of colour are 1.7 times more likely to require hospital admission that white skinned people. (Harms et al, 2014)

If you have had a catastrophic injury as a result of a motorcycling accident, the last thing you might want to do is get back on a motorbike. Not so Russ Lucier, who bought one, had it adapted and set off down the motorway as soon as he could.

At EWA we collaborate with a number of professionals to provide the best care and support to our clients. Taher Dhuliawala from Neuroability Limited is a specialist neurological physiotherapist who shares our aims to enable and empower our clients to achieve independence and the best quality of life. So today we are delighted to discuss one of a number of different topics upon which we can get his perspective and which affects many people with a neurodisability: fatigue and how it can be managed.

March 16th marks Disabled Access Day 2024 which is all about trying something new. At EWA we encourage all our clients to innovate as they feel able to, to find the solutions that work best for them. And that’s exactly what Stuart Wheeler did when, as a 17 year old, he came out of hospital reliant on a wheelchair to get about. Stuart was determined to make sure that he could access places and spaces just like everyone else, and he now shares those skills with others so they too have the best access possible.

We are very excited to celebrate International Wheelchair Day in conversation with Andrew Slorance, founder and CEO of Phoenix Instinct and the creator of the soon to be launched Phoenix i – an ultralight, carbon fibre, smart wheelchair.

Horse-riding can not only be a good form of exercise but also a therapy to those who have sustained a significant injury. The injury itself can make riding more difficult and so having some adaptations can make all the difference.

We know that being a diligent case manager is a role which requires the investment of a lot of time and thought, so our case managers reach capacity pretty quickly! This is one of the reasons we have brought together a number of case managers with a wealth of clinical experience who are committed to providing case management services to clients in London and the South East. And, as a dedicated team for that area, they are able to share experiences and discuss issues which are particularly relevant in this region. 

At the moment, the world seems torn apart by war and conflict which appears daily on our screens and the scenes from Ukraine and the Middle East are heart-breaking. Amongst all the human despair, it is easy to forget that among the victims of those conflicts are those who have suffered catastrophic injuries, amputations and spinal cord injuries who are also in desperate need of treatment and rehabilitation.

Giving evidence in court these days happens relatively rarely with all parties encouraged to settle cases whenever possible. But when a case does go to trial it is important that the experts in the case have the insight and experience required.

Emma Way is an experienced expert who has seen cases through right from the beginning to the end and that includes giving evidence at trial. She shares her top tips when going to trial from the simply practical to the truly insightful.

As the home nations progress in the Rugby World Cup, and the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup gets underway, we talk with a champion of Wheelchair Rugby, Robin Tarr, Paralympic gold medallist and chairman of the Wheelchair rugby club at Leicester Tigers.

When an individual suffers a catastrophic injury, the effects are often life changing. Whilst the focus is often on that person, to help them with their rehabilitation and plan their future, those around them may get neglected. However, at EWA we are always conscious that with any client we help, there are often several family members who are also trying to come to terms with the profound changes in their lives, as well as that of their loved one.

We all know that having a hobby can be relaxing and important for our mental well-being. But when this is a physical activity, a catastrophic injury can really affect the ability to still enjoy and engage with an interest or hobby. However, having that interest is no less important and the case managers at EWA recognise this and, where appropriate, try to enable clients to continue with their hobbies.

Revolutionising the world of orthotics and exoskeletons, the Keeogo only arrived in the UK in May 2022. Originating in Canada and designed initially for the military to promote endurance and strength during military operations, it started to then be used in the rehabilitation sector. In the last 12 months, it has begun transforming the lives of those who can benefit from its use here in the UK. We talked to Lynn Vale, a consultant clinical specialist with B-temia who created the Keeogo.

A catastrophic injury can affect so much that is familiar to us all. That may be the ability to do simple jobs that we took for granted or to be able to access places that we never even thought would be a problem. Nowhere is this made more manifest than in our own home.

As medico legal experts we know how important it is to get the job we are instructed on done just right. And so we thought we would ask a legal expert exactly what makes a good expert witness. William Latimer-Sayer KC is a leading silk who has advised in relation to many high value catastrophic claims so we asked him what he has found makes a good expert witness.

With the Chelsea Flower Show this week we decided to highlight the importance that gardening can have for some of our clients. Emma Way gave some insight into the value that creating a garden can have or how valuable it can be to maintain a gardening hobby from pre injury days.

We are all told how important good posture is but for someone with a spinal cord injury (SCI) this takes on a whole new dimension. For Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day we talk to Emma Linley, an occupational therapist and team lead at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre about the importance of seated postural management.

Emma Way Associates are delighted to be attending the APIL advanced brain and spinal cord injury conference being held at Celtic Manor in Newport between 17th and 19th May 2023. We are very excited to be exhibiting at this prestigious event and to have the opportunity to meet some of the leaders in the fields of litigation and rehabilitation.

Do come over to see us at our stand  – we would love to chat to you about the services we offer and how we may be able to help your clients. And if you drop a card into our draw you could also win a fabulous hamper!

So often priority is given to a physical injury but, as is well reported these days, there can often be a psychological impact of a physical injury which may initially go undetected. To mark Brain Injury Awareness Week we discuss how fluctuating capacity can impact on case management with Dr Pedro Areias Grilo, who holds a Consultant Clinical Psychologist post within the NHS, is a Visiting Lecturer at UEA and is the Clinical Head at Richardson Care.

Sian Francis joined EWA as an expert witness in relation to nursing care. Today we talked to her about her nursing experience in celebration of National Nurses Day on 12th May 2023.

Sian’s interest originally lay in studying and understanding anatomy and physiology and she developed an interest in holistic therapies early on. She started her nursing life as a healthcare assistant working on ‘the bank’ and then as an auxiliary nurse in a local district hospital which gave her a great grounding in many fields of medicine.

The 33rd AvMA clinical negligence conference was the first for AvMA’s new CEO Paul Whiteing and also our first attending as an exhibitor. And whilst the weather was pretty cool out on the Bournemouth beach, in contrast we had a very warm response in the conference halls.

For patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) managing postural alignment and movement is part of the rehabilitative process and includes consideration of the upper limbs. We talked to Emma Linley, an occupational therapist and team lead at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, about the importance of managing the upper limbs in a SCI patient with tetraplegia and we were fascinated about how crucial this is.

Disability Access Day on March 16th is an important date to mark the importance of those with a disability being able to access any space – workspace, public spaces, transport. But the most important space that those with a disability need to access is their own home which is why ensuring that it is fully accessible is crucial. Our case managers at EWA are always on hand to assist clients with making the right decisions when adapting their own home or purchasing a new home which will better cater for their needs.

In February 2022, BABICM (British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management) produced a report called ‘The Perfect Storm’ which surveyed members as to how they were coping with recruitment and retention of care staff post Brexit and post Covid. Having over 200 responses, BABICM picked up a number of trends.

Emma Way Associates are really looking forward to attending the 33rd AvMA Clinical Negligence Conference in Bournemouth on Thursday and Friday.

Our case managers and experts know how important AvMA is as a charity supporting those who have had a medical accident. But we also know how vital the AvMA conferences are to extending knowledge in the clinical negligence fields for experts and lawyers alike. It is also a great opportunity to get together with some of the leading practitioners and experts in the field and it is why, here at EWA, we are excited about meeting so many of you in Bournemouth this week.

Eloise James is an occupational therapist (OT) with 26 years of experience, much of it working within a specialist neurology setting with both brain injured and spinal cord injured clients. She has worked in NHS settings, specialising in rehabilitation as well as in the private sector. Having had experience of treating both these client groups, she has an in-depth knowledge of how specialist therapy and equipment can help transform the lives of those with these injuries.

The options and choices which many of our clients face in respect of their care are multitudinous and can seem very complex when starting out on their post injury journey. Choosing how to have a care package can sometimes seem like crossing a minefield as there are so many pitfalls and unknowns when you start.

At EWA we know how difficult these choices can be so in the next few blogs we are going to consider the different care options that there are and the pros and cons of choosing each, whilst talking to our clients who have already taken this journey.

We enjoy sharing the enthusiasm that some of our clients have in pieces of equipment that they use. And this is very evident in the delight that our client, David, has shown in a piece of equipment. Although he has only had it for just over 2 months it has already transformed his life.

Going to an airport these days is not always easy and stress free. There are always queues to wait in, security to navigate and that’s before you even attempt to get on the plane when there are narrow spaces to get through, passengers to move among and hand luggage to stow away.

We pride ourselves on the professionalism and experience of our medico-legal experts at EWA. But it is always good to be reminded of the duties we have as experts under Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules. And nowhere was that more graphically demonstrated than in the recent case of Muyepa v Ministry of Defence

Emma Way Associates are proud to be supporting CESCI (Cauda Equina Spinal Cord Injury) as the recipient of donations this Christmas in lieu of Christmas cards and are also proud to highlight the wonderful work that Allison Whitehorn does leading CESCI which we believe really does transform lives of those with cauda equina injuries.

Despite his degenerative condition, Pete paints. The artworks Pete creates are sold to help raise money for charity – And not charities relating to his condition but ones which are close to the hearts of his friends and loved ones. EWA are proud to become owners of one of Pete’s paintings which will be displayed in the EWA office for the team and visitors to enjoy. It reminds us every day of what our clients achieve. We spoke with Pete about his art and how it affects him.

We are delighted at Emma Way Associates (EWA) to announce the publication of our inspection report from CQC confirming that a GOOD rating has been awarded in all five key lines of enquiry and areas of service provision. These are listed as Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.

Pressure ulcers are among the commonest complication for those with a spinal cord injury. A pressure ulcer develops when continuous unrelieved pressure is applied to any tissue of the body and usually occurs over a bony prominence. Continuous pressure prevents the blood from flowing through the tiny blood vessels that then starve the tissue of oxygen, creating a build-up of waste products. Infection can spread into the bloodstream and, in severe cases, may become life threatening.

This week marks Occupational Therapy Week 2022 celebrating how occupational therapy and therapists can really transform what people with disabilities can achieve for themselves. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) are launching a campaign ‘Lift up your Everyday’ and this is something that here at EWA we can feel completely in tune with as we try to achieve just this level of positivity with our clients.

Today we talk to Lisa Honan who is an experienced case manager working with EWA since 2017. Lisa looks after some of the most complex orthopaedic injury clients and believes in keeping a smaller case load so that she can give 100% to each of her clients.

As we once more mark World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI) here at EWA we want to applaud the remarkably positive attitude of our clients with a SCI and ask them what makes a difference to their lives.

Susan experienced a catastrophic accident in 2019, sustaining a spinal cord injury when a car lost control and pinned her against a wall as she and her husband left the cinema, changing their lives forever.

As we once more mark World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI) here at EWA we want to applaud the remarkably positive attitude of our clients with a SCI and ask them what makes a difference to their lives.

Susan experienced a catastrophic accident in 2019, sustaining a spinal cord injury when a car lost control and pinned her against a wall as she and her husband left the cinema, changing their lives forever.

As we once more mark World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI) here at EWA we want to applaud the remarkably positive attitude of our clients with a SCI and ask them what makes a difference to their lives.

Susan experienced a catastrophic accident in 2019, sustaining a spinal cord injury when a car lost control and pinned her against a wall as she and her husband left the cinema, changing their lives forever.

As we once more mark World Spinal Cord Injury Day (SCI) here at EWA we want to applaud the remarkably positive attitude of our clients with a SCI and ask them what makes a difference to their lives.

Susan experienced a catastrophic accident in 2019, sustaining a spinal cord injury when a car lost control and pinned her against a wall as she and her husband left the cinema, changing their lives forever.

Summer makes us all turn to think about holidays. These can be more complex for people with a spinal cord injury but one of EWA’s clients has had a wonderful holiday experience when she went cruising for the first time.

“I had just had a new power chair and the last thing I wanted when going away on holiday was to load it onto a plane and for something to happen to it! So we decided to take a no fly cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands.”

It’s getting to that time of year again when we start to plan holidays. But when one of us has a disability there are lots of additional things that have to be considered. Here at EWA our case managers are attuned to these issues and we have put together a thorough checklist of items to consider before embarking on a trip away.  We talked to one of our clients about his experiences as an amputee going away on a holiday.

On Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2024 we reflect on the progress made supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) since 1974! The 50th anniversary of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) provides us with an opportunity to see how life has changed for people with SCI over the past five decades.

On Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Day 2024 we reflect on the progress made supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) since 1974! The 50th anniversary of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA) provides us with an opportunity to see how life has changed for people with SCI over the past five decades.

Returning to normality and being able to do “normal” activities is one of the goals we, as case managers, try to help our clients achieve following a catastrophic injury. This is also a goal we share with Liz Morrison, founder of the Happiness Horsebox CIC which literally brings people with a disability and horses together.

At EWA we believe that working collaboratively with our NHS partners will achieve the the most successful outcome for our clients. We all share a common goal to get the best results for our clients both within the spinal centre and when our clients move towards independent living. A collaborative approach, we believe, can achieve this.

Championed by the Spinal Injuries Association, the 16th November marks Stop the Pressure Day, a day of raising awareness about pressure ulcers which will affect 95% of all patients with a spinal cord injury at some point in their lives.

On 27th October we celebrate World Occupational Therapy (OT) Day and we thought a great way to do so would be to talk to one of our latest OT medico-legal experts about what they love about being an OT and why they became an OT medico-legal expert.

As the Rugby Union World Cup tournament is played out across France, at EWA we decided to feature another form of rugby that has so many benefits for some of our clients: Wheelchair Rugby.

Just as rugby can seem like a terrifying sport as players tackle and tumble on the field,  wheelchair rugby can also seem brutal with the noise of crashing and banging  that can come from the wheelchair rugby court, often made louder by the fact the sport is played indoors with wheelchairs smashing into each other!

As case managers, but especially when advising in medico-legal reports, we are seeing an increasing challenge when valuing the cost of care in what is an increasingly challenging marketplace. Costs are escalating as staff shortages continue to be problematic.

It is a very sad fact that vulnerable people can sometimes be taken advantage of, whether that is due to financial or emotional abuse or sometimes, albeit rarely, inadvertently being made complicit in criminal activity.

Jonathan has an incomplete spinal cord injury which has left him with limited mobility and reduced grip. Living in a two bedroom flat in London, Jonathan was always very house proud and kept his flat immaculate before his injury so it was really important to him that these standards be maintained.

The last decade or so has seen a lot of change in the world of case management, especially where this is related to catastrophic personal injury claims.

Emma Way, Managing Director of Emma Way Associates has offered her views as to how case management has evolved and where she sees this going.

Evette loves her horses. Before she had her injury she had learned to ride describing herself as a ‘happy hacker,’ often riding horses that she was loaned for a period of time.

But after she sustained her injury resulting in a right below knee amputation she had to learn to ride in a different way.

EWA experts are experienced in costing care for medico legal reports, taking into account the complex care needs many catastrophically injured people need. Where care needs are high, EWA experts are mindful of the requirements of the Working Time Directive (WTD) and how this may impact on care provision, especially where there is a live in carer and the time they work will exceed the 48 hours allowed by the Directive. There are various opt outs which a support worker can elect to utilise but this has to be considered carefully when costing for care as not all support workers will be willing to do so and it may not be safe for the opt out to be exercised.

We hear a lot about the “new normal” these days. But for many of EWA’s clients, adapting to a new normal is part of the course. Following any catastrophic injury comes a period of adjustment to allow time to rehabilitate and to get used to how to do things in a different way: in other words, to find your own “new normal”.

The third and final of our blog series relates to the least commonly used type of care package: that of utilising self-employed support workers. There is a place for self employed care and at EWA we do recognise the benefits, but we also see the pitfalls of self-employed support workers.

Care provision and how it is delivered is very much a personal choice and it may well be that when you come home from hospital being faced with becoming an employer, along with everything else that you need to contend with, is the last thing on your mind. Following on from our post last week looking at specialist agency care, this week we consider direct employment of support workers which, as a care package settles in, is often seen as the most popular and efficient mode of care provision.

At EWA we take the quality of the services we offer very seriously. As a growing independent company, we are proud to have achieved CQC registration to give reassurance to all our clients that we are confident about the standards and level of care and service we offer.

Choosing a case manager is not always as easy as it sounds. Lots of people who have had a catastrophic injury are advised to have a case manager involved in their care and to coordinate their rehabilitation. But, more often than not, before this point, most people will have never heard of a case manager, let alone know what they do and, even more importantly, know how to choose the right one.

“You are not broken” is one of the many inspirational mantras that is used to motivate a better sense of well-being. Never could that particular quote be more applicable to those who have experienced a spinal cord injury (SCI), where patients often feel, initially at least, physically and emotionally broken.

Expert witnesses in litigation cases are key to the case’s success, whether that is in establishing liability or valuing a claim once liability has been resolved.

The government is talking about the care sector and the Chancellor has even raised taxes to try and pay for a better social care sector. Suddenly, wherever we look, care and its affordability is in the news. But it is not just the elderly that require care. 

Here at EWA we are lucky to have a really talented team of case managers. But what makes a great case manager and how have we got such a stellar team here at EWA?

We talk today to Kate Gibbons who is the senior case manager at Emma Way Associates. Kate’s enthusiasm for her job and the transformative effect her role can have on her clients’ lives is palpable.

Being an expert witness in a legal case calculating compensation after a catastrophic injury is a very responsible role to play. It is established that experts can make or break a case: they have to balance the needs of those who instruct them with their duty of independence to the Court. It can be a difficult balance to achieve and requires experience and real competence in the field of expertise. It also needs courage to not only stand up to opponents’ experts in joint meetings or in cross examination at trial, where necessary, but also to maintain that ever important independence.

After experiencing a catastrophic injury there is just so much to come to terms with and to get your head around. The change, which is often very sudden, can be overwhelming and, at first, you may think that the last thing you need at this point would be a stranger coming into your life and asking lots of sometimes quite awkward questions. If this is you, then you are not alone! So many people feel daunted with having a case manager involved in their lives.

“Where you are now is not where you will always be. Just keep on trying and know that tomorrow really is a new day.” So says Jen Goodwin who has a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) but knows that each day, striving for more can bring fresh hope and inspiration.

Having a great office manager is important for any business but at EWA Di German takes her role to another level: she has made the role her own and also made it a deeply fulfilling one.

We are proud to source and provide the most bespoke equipment for our clients. We know that this not only has the best therapeutic effect but we also know that if the equipment provides enjoyment it is much more likely to get used, and used more often!

Louise Naylor developed cauda equina syndrome some 10 years ago which left her with an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) with weakness in her lower limbs and severe pain. Having enjoyed running and cycling this came as an enormous blow but, at EWA, we have tried to find a way to get Louise back on her bike.

The last two years have highlighted to everyone how having infringements on independence really does inhibit freedoms that we all take for granted. Having to do lateral flow tests, keeping a distance and taking a mask with us when going to the supermarket slowed us up and made us all think before we were able to go about everyday activities, which we would never normally do. Having to be that little bit more isolated from one another is something few of us are sorry to leave behind. But it also perhaps gave a glimpse of what it is like living with an injury where very often you are less independent than you once were, you may feel more isolated and you have to plan your moves with much more care and organisation.

As case managers it is often helpful for our clients if we can make payments on their behalf for equipment, therapies or other services. It makes life much smoother for our clients and, where a solicitor is still involved in proceedings, costs considerably less than the legal team dealing with it.

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make the real difference to quality of life. And sometimes it is something really simple that can make a very real difference to having independence or not.

At EWA we love to share really positive stories about people with a spinal cord injury. And it’s hard to find anything more inspirational than Jonathan Walsh’s experience.

Jonathan sustained an incomplete spinal cord injury which left him with reduced core body strength, loss of grip and restricted mobility. In 2019 he was told about a wheelchair which used the principles of self-balancing to work, and that he may want to try it. This was an Omeo personal mobility device. And he loved it. The Omeo did not require a grip – it could be propelled by a joystick or by simply using core body movements. The only problem was the price which, in 2019, was upwards of £15,000!

Elizabeth Edwards is over the moon to be working with Emma Way Associates and is getting brilliant testimonials from the lawyers for whom she is now providing expert reports. Described as concise and providing exactly what they want, such feedback shows what an excellent and well respected expert Liz is becoming.

When a catastrophic injury strikes, it can feel as if the world has fallen apart for that person and their family. But with good, personal case management life can start to return to something like normality and even hobbies that may, at one time, have seemed impossible to pursue, can once more be enjoyed.

At EWA we are often asked to provide an Immediate Needs Assessment (INA) for a client. This is usually the starting point for a rehabilitation process which can make a significant difference for the injured person aiming to live more independently following their serious injury and lengthy hospital stay.

We know that being an expert witness is a crucial role in the litigation process and that a great deal will hinge on the report and recommendations that we, as experts, make. But we know too that there will be much scrutiny of those recommendations not only from our clients and those who instruct us, but also from our opponents and ultimately the court itself. We know that a lot of hard work must be inputted to get the right report and ensure that it can withstand scrutiny and that we, as experts, can sit in joint meetings or in the witness box and defend our position. But is that all? We decided to check in with someone who knows exactly what they are looking for in an expert.

Today, is the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disability. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development, and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.