Specialisms
Paediatric & Neonatology Expert Witnesses by Specialism
McCollum Consultants provides access to independent paediatric expert witnesses and neonatology experts across a range of specialties for clinical negligence, personal injury and other complex legal matters.Our experts provide independent medico-legal opinion on matters involving babies, children and young people, including diagnosis, treatment, standards of care, causation, condition, prognosis, development, disability and future care and treatment needs. Experts are available for instruction by solicitors and other instructing parties in the UK and internationally.
Paediatric and neonatology expert witnesses across a range of specialisms
Our network includes experienced paediatricians, neonatologists and other specialists involved in the care and treatment of babies, children and young people. This enables us to identify experts whose clinical expertise is relevant to the particular medical issues arising in a case. Depending on the circumstances, expert opinion may address diagnosis, treatment, standards of care, causation, current condition, prognosis, development, future treatment, rehabilitation and care requirements. Our experts prepare independent medico-legal reports for use in litigation, negotiation, mediation and court proceedings.
If you require independent paediatric or neonatal expert opinion, contact McCollum Consultants with details of the case and the issues on which expert evidence is required. Our team can help identify an appropriately qualified expert witness for your instruction.
Discuss your case
What does a paediatric or neonatology expert witness do?
A paediatric or neonatology expert witness provides independent specialist medical opinion to assist with issues concerning the health, development, care or treatment of a baby, child or young person in a legal matter.
They may review medical records, test results, imaging and other relevant evidence and, where appropriate, may examine or assess a child. Depending on the instruction, an expert may prepare a medico-legal report, respond to questions from the instructing party, participate in discussions with other experts and provide oral evidence in court or before a tribunal.
An expert's opinion must remain independent and within their own area of professional expertise.
What can a paediatric or neonatology expert provide an opinion on?
Depending on their specialty and the issues involved, an expert may provide independent opinion on diagnosis, treatment, standards of care, causation, current condition and prognosis. They may also be asked to consider development, disability, future treatment, rehabilitation, care requirements and the longer-term effects of an injury or medical condition.
The specific questions addressed will depend on the expert's individual area of expertise and the scope of the instruction. Complex cases may involve several areas of specialist evidence, particularly where medical, neurological, developmental, surgical or rehabilitation issues overlap.
Paediatric and neonatology expert witnesses for clinical negligence cases
Specialist paediatric or neonatal opinion may be required in clinical negligence cases involving the assessment, diagnosis, treatment or management of babies, children and young people.
An expert may be asked to consider the standard of care provided, whether investigations, treatment or management were appropriate, causation and the effect that any alleged breach of duty may have had on a child's condition, development, prognosis or future treatment and care needs.
Complex cases may require evidence from more than one discipline, particularly where different aspects of a child's treatment or subsequent needs fall within separate areas of specialist expertise.
Paediatric expert witnesses for personal injury cases
Paediatric medical expertise may also be required in personal injury cases involving injuries or medical conditions affecting children and young people.
An expert may be asked to consider diagnosis, causation, treatment already undertaken, the child's current condition, prognosis, development and any further treatment, rehabilitation or care that may be required.
Where an injury has long-term implications, expert evidence may also address how the child's medical and developmental needs are expected to change as they grow.
Paediatric experts in other legal proceedings
Independent paediatric evidence may also be required in a range of other legal and investigative proceedings involving the health, development, injury or medical treatment of a baby, child or young person.
Depending on the circumstances, this may include family proceedings, inquests and other matters where specialist paediatric or neonatal opinion is required.
An expert may be asked to provide an opinion on matters such as diagnosis, treatment, causation, prognosis, development or other questions falling within their particular area of clinical expertise.
Medico-legal reports and expert evidence
Our paediatric and neonatology expert witnesses can be instructed to prepare independent medico-legal reports addressing the specific clinical questions relevant to a case.
Depending on the instruction, their work may include reviewing medical records and investigations, examining or assessing a child where appropriate, preparing an expert report, responding to questions, participating in discussions with other experts and giving evidence in court or before a tribunal.
McCollum Consultants can assist with identifying an expert whose clinical expertise is appropriately matched to the issues requiring expert opinion.
How do I instruct a medical expert witness?
- Send us the case details
Provide the key party details, a brief outline of the relevant clinical issues and the paediatric or neonatal specialism or specialist expertise required. - We complete a conflict check
We carry out an initial conflict check before considering suitable experts. - We identify appropriately qualified experts
We may identify one or more appropriately qualified experts for your consideration, taking account of the particular clinical issues involved, relevant subspecialist expertise, current or recent clinical practice, medico-legal experience and availability. - Review availability, timescales and costs
Before instruction, we provide information on expert availability, anticipated report turnaround and estimated fees. - You select and instruct the expert
The decision as to which expert to instruct remains with you. Once selected, our team can coordinate the instruction and subsequent expert work. Where appropriate, we can arrange a preliminary discussion before formal instruction.
Why instruct a paediatric or neonatology expert witness through McCollum Consultants?
Specialist expertise
We work with appropriately qualified experts across a broad range of medical, surgical, nursing, rehabilitation and allied healthcare specialties, enabling us to identify expertise relevant to the particular clinical issues involved.
Carefully matched experts
Every instruction is considered individually. We consider the clinical issues involved, relevant subspecialist expertise, current or recent clinical practice, medico-legal experience and availability when identifying potential experts.
Medico-legal training
Our experts are supported through medico-legal training and continuing professional development, including the preparation of clear, well-reasoned reports and the responsibilities of an independent expert witness.
A personal, responsive service
We take the time to understand our experts' individual areas of expertise and develop long-standing professional relationships with the solicitors, insurers and organisations that instruct them, providing a consistent point of contact throughout the instruction.
Clear timescales and fees
Before instruction, we can provide information on expert availability, anticipated report turnaround times and estimated fees.
Support throughout the litigation process
Our support can extend beyond the initial instruction to appointments, medical records, reports, conferences, supplementary questions, discussions between experts, joint statements and preparation for giving evidence. Where several disciplines are required, we can also assist with coordinating experts across multiple specialties.
FAQs
▸What does a paediatric expert witness do?
▸What is a neonatology expert witness?
▸Are paediatric and neonatology expert witnesses independent?
▸How do I know which type of paediatric expert witness I need?
▸Can a case require more than one paediatric or neonatal expert?
▸What information is needed to identify a suitable paediatric expert?
▸How long does it take to obtain a paediatric medico-legal report?
▸Can paediatric and neonatology experts be instructed for matters outside the UK?
Explore other expert witness specialisms
Discuss your case
If you require independent paediatric or neonatal expert opinion, contact McCollum Consultants with details of the case and the issues on which expert evidence is required. Our team can help identify an appropriately qualified paediatric or neonatology expert witness for your instruction.