Medicine
Haematology expert witnesses
Listed haematology expert witnesses address blood disorders, coagulation, transfusion practice and haematological malignancy. Anticoagulation and thrombosis questions form a large part of the medico-legal work.
01
The evidence
What a haematology expert witness is asked to determine
Haematology evidence is laboratory-led but rarely laboratory-only. Full blood counts, coagulation studies, transfusion records and prescribing charts have to be read against the clinical picture recorded at the same time. Where a delayed diagnosis is alleged, the earliest abnormal count and what was done about it usually mark the point from which the argument runs.
- Whether an abnormal blood result was recognised, repeated and acted upon.
- Whether thromboprophylaxis was assessed and prescribed as the risk assessment required.
- Whether anticoagulation was dosed, monitored and reversed appropriately.
- Whether transfusion practice, including consent and compatibility checking, met the expected standard.
- What difference earlier diagnosis of a haematological malignancy would probably have made.
Practitioners are listed across the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. Location can be narrowed in the register’s location listings before an instruction is made.
Claim contexts
Claims that instruct this discipline
These links describe the question haematology evidence can answer. They do not prescribe the scope of an individual instruction.
Clinical negligence claims
Anticoagulation, transfusion and the investigation of blood disorders.
View claim type → 02Personal injury claims
Thrombosis and bleeding complications following injury or surgery.
View claim type → 03Inquests
Haematological evidence where a death is being investigated.
View claim type →Search the register by the discipline used in the instruction.
See haematology listingsReport routes
Reports prepared
Laboratory and prescribing records support a records review report. A breach and causation report addresses whether the identified failing made a difference.
Where malignancy and delay are in issue, oncology evidence is normally required as well. The report pages state what each of those routes contains.
Haematology expert witness evidence
A haematologist expert witness reads the laboratory record against the prescribing and clinical entries made at the same time.
The register lists the discipline and location; the instruction is agreed directly. See guidance from British Society for Haematology alongside the case material.
Directory search
Haematology listings
Haematology Expert Witness Cases & Claims
Related expert witness specialties
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Will a Haematology expert witness respond to Part 35 questions?
Yes - CPR 35.6 entitles the parties to put written questions on a report, and answering them is part of the expert's duty to the court. A Haematology report prepared for proceedings in England and Wales carries the Part 35 statement of truth, with equivalent duties applying in the other UK jurisdictions.
Can a Haematology expert act as a single joint expert?
Where the court directs a single joint expert under CPR 35.7, the instruction is agreed between the parties and put jointly - a routine basis of instruction in this field. Whether a particular practitioner accepts SJE appointments is confirmed with the practitioner at the enquiry stage.
Will the expert attend joint discussions or give evidence at trial?
Where the court directs discussions between experts under CPR 35.12, they meet and produce a joint statement of what is agreed and what is disputed; attendance at trial - in person or by video link - is likewise a matter of court direction. These commitments are confirmed with the practitioner at instruction.
Can I choose a Haematology expert of a specific gender, or one who assesses remotely?
Yes on both counts. Every listing displays the practitioner's gender, consulting locations and assessment types - face to face, remote or both - so sensitive-instruction preferences can be applied at the shortlisting stage, before any contact is made.