Surgery
Shoulder and elbow surgery expert witnesses
Listed shoulder and elbow surgery expert witnesses address rotator cuff disease, instability, fracture and joint replacement in the upper limb. Distinguishing traumatic tears from degenerative change is the recurring question.
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The evidence
What a shoulder and elbow surgery expert witness is asked to determine
Shoulder claims frequently ask whether a cuff tear was caused by the accident or was already present. The mechanism described, the immediate symptoms recorded and the appearance of the tendon on imaging together determine what can properly be attributed to the index event.
- Whether the mechanism described is capable of causing the tear or dislocation alleged.
- Whether imaging appearances indicate an acute injury or pre-existing degeneration.
- Whether the timing of surgery met the standard appropriate to the injury.
- Whether repair, decompression or arthroplasty was competently performed.
- What range of movement, strength and capacity for work the evidence supports.
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 shoulder and elbow surgery evidence can answer. They do not prescribe the scope of an individual instruction.
Personal injury claims
Shoulder and elbow injury and its effect on function and work.
View claim type → 02Road traffic accident claims
Upper limb injury following a collision.
View claim type → 03Clinical negligence claims
Diagnosis, timing and technique in upper limb surgery.
View claim type →Search the register by the discipline used in the instruction.
See shoulder and elbow surgery listingsReport routes
Reports prepared
Imaging and clinic records support a records review report addressing acuity of the tear. A breach and causation report deals with any treatment criticised.
A condition and prognosis report addresses movement, strength and employment, after an independent medical examination.
Shoulder and elbow surgery expert witness evidence
A shoulder and elbow expert witness addresses acuity before technique, because attribution usually decides the claim.
The register publishes the listing; scope and conflicts are addressed with the practitioner. See guidance from British Elbow and Shoulder Society alongside the case material.
Directory search
Shoulder & Elbow listings
Shoulder & Elbow Expert Witness Cases & Claims
Related expert witness specialties
Questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Will a Shoulder and Elbow 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 Shoulder and Elbow 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 Shoulder and Elbow 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 Shoulder and Elbow 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.