Personal Injury Litigation and the College of Occupational Therapists' Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Abstract

Increasing numbers of occupational therapists are engaging in writing expert witness reports in personal injury cases. This article airs some of the conflicts and ethical dilemmas that may arise when working in this field, and considers the position of the occupational therapist in relation to the widely accepted legal view of the role of the expert witness and the College of Occupational Therapists' Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. The article follows the order of the College of Occupational Therapists' Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and a number of potential difficulties are highlighted, although by no means all. Where possible, an attempt is made to offer a solution that would enable the occupational therapist to maintain professional integrity. Above all, the article is intended to stimulate discussion and debate which will be of benefit to people already working in this field and to those entering it In the future.