News & Insights

I fell into Occupational Therapy when I was at college. I had been working around my studies as a respite carer for children with learning disabilities and someone suggested I’d make a great OT! I explored it and decided to apply to study it at...

Hear from Louise, who qualified as an occupational therapist in 2006 and specialises in adult physical conditions, including lower limb orthopaedic injuries and lower limb amputees. She has been an expert witness for eight years and has practiced privately...

We recently launched a company Facebook page! Our mission on Facebook is to reach online communities of heath professionals and engage with them about the benefits of expert witness work. On Facebook we will provide information about medico-legal...

As an occupational therapist I have always been driven by a passion for helping individuals overcome challenges and achieve their fullest potential. My journey into this profession was inspired by my earlier work as a support worker with individuals with...

This month we introduce Occupational Therapy Expert Witness, Alexander Heaps, who became an expert witness with us in 2023. I became interested in Occupational Therapy (OT) after starting work as rehabilitation assistant for the Brain Injury...

Somek & Associates (S&A) is an Expert Witness Consultancy and has been proudly serving the legal profession, both Defendants and Claimants, for over 25 years. As one of the largest providers of expert witnesses in the UK, S&A delivers highly...

After years of dedication and hard work within the expert witness field, the moment recently came for me to pass on the torch, but not without embedding a part of my ethos into the foundation of Frenkel Topping Group . It’s both a humbling and...

Somek & Associates presents, Helen Harrison, Occupational Therapist & Expert Witness: "I qualified as an occupational therapist in 2010. My first job consisted of rotating around a variety of hospital wards. As soon as I started working on the...

After 30 years as an occupational therapist and 23 years with Somek & Associates as an Expert Witness, including 14 years as their Head of Medico-legal Operations, in September 2024, Jessica Thurston took up the position of Managing Director. We...

Today marks the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we wanted to share an incredibly important story written by the very brave and courage Amanda Agbebi , Quality Assurance & Training Lead at Somek & Associates. Mandy has experienced...

On 5th November Somek & Associates is hosting an exclusive event for solicitors and barristers. We have recently expanded our paramedic expert witness team, who work in a variety of clinical settings including; Front Line Emergency Ambulances Rapid...

This month we are delighted to introduce readers to Emma Twine, one of our highly experienced registered midwives and expert witnesses. Emma joined our expert witness panel in 2022 and has recently become an Associate Trainer, responsible for delivering...

Retirement here I come! Honestly, I cannot believe that we are here! I cannot believe that I am that old!!! But reality hits us all, including me. I started my first “real job” as an occupational therapist in September 1976, working in London...

Recent weeks have seen staff, experts, clients and other colleagues with whom Alison has worked in the medico-legal field coming together to celebrate her retirement and reflect upon her outstanding career. Alison's career as an expert witness started...

This month we hear from Alexandra Clark, who has a huge wealth of experience in nursing. Alexandra has been an expert witness with Somek & Associates for 8 years. My career as a nurse was decided when I joined the Red Cross as a cadet at thirteen years...

From my first placement in intensive care as a student nurse, I fell in love with the fast paced, adrenaline filled role. I have committed all of my 19 year career to this area, progressing up the ladder over the years. I have always had a keen thirst for...

Introducing Sandy Exon, Occupational Therapist & Expert Witness... My interest in Occupational Therapy started after I left school and decided to do some volunteering. I was a live in carer for a lady who had Multiple Sclerosis and my mentor was an...

Did you know that we have a page dedicated to showcasing our expert witnesses who have immediate availability to accept case instructions? These are fully trained experts who may have had trials cancelled, cases unexpectedly settle, or for whatever...

Our annual conference for 2024 took place on Friday 7th June at The Crowne Plaza in Gerrards Cross. Our conferences are in person every other year, and so for many of our newer experts, this was their first opportunity to come together with our office...

Introducing Occupational Therapist and expert witness, Sally O'Connell... My mum claims full responsibility for introducing me to the idea of becoming an occupational therapist. Having already completed a degree in Physiological Sciences, I was at a...

Clyde & Co recently hosted a 'Care Costs Forum' event to address rising care expenses, which is having a rippling effect across the insurance, legal and care industry in the UK. Clyde & Co conducted a 'first of it's kind' type of...

Introducing Midwifery expert witness Gemma McIntyre ... I decided to train as a midwife following the birth of my daughter in 2008. It was a traumatic birth with a keillands forceps delivery and a stint in the neonatal unit for my daughter, but the support...

Michelle Caton Richards , the Deputy Quality Assurance & Training Lead  at  Somek & Associates , began her journey as a  registered nurse  in  2003 . She spent most of her clinical career within the  accident and...

Somek & Associates are delighted to introduce chartered physiotherapist & expert witness, Thomas Porter ... I initially looked into becoming a physiotherapist with a sports role in mind. I earnt a place at Nottingham University, and after three...

In the latest issue of Your Expert Witness Magazine , our Deputy Quality Assurance & Training Lead, Barbara Franks , explores the essential considerations that a care expert must assess when costing for rehabilitation; equipment and home...

Introducing Chartered Physiotherapist & Expert Witness, Katharine Atkin... I recently supported my 16-year-old to make decisions about what A levels she should take. What A levels do you take when you don't know what career path you'd like...

On Wednesday 21st February staff at Somek & Associates baked, made and bought foodie treats to share that resonated with them in some way - from our own cultural background, childhood, places we’ve visited etc. This was a great way to raise...

It's a proud day for Somek & Associates as we announce the appointment of  Jessica Thurston  as Managing Director elect. Having worked alongside  Alison Somek  for 23 years, Jess shares Alison’s passion for the...

Introducing Claire Hankin, Occupational Therapist & Associate Trainer I knew from a very young age that I wanted to look after and help people. I used to run up to my grandad Harry and plonk myself on his knee when I was about seven or eight years...

Occupational Therapy Week is an annual event celebrated by occupational therapists around the world. It aims to raise awareness about the importance of occupational therapy and it's impact on people's lives. This year, Occupational Therapy Week will...

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) is the international voice of the occupational therapy profession, which globally comprises of 107 national occupational therapy professional organisations. World Occupational Therapy Day aims to raise...

We invite solicitors and barristers to join us for the first in our new series of online presentation topics Hosted By Somek & Associates ...

Alex Penfold  on Youth Mental Health Day 2023: Insights from a Mental Health Nurse and Expert Witness In the UK, we face an ever-growing mental health crisis in children and adolescents. It is estimated that 1 in 6, 7–16-year-olds have a...

The British Association of Prosthetists & Orthotists are celebrating their 3 rd P&O Day today. The day aims to raise the profiles of the two roles within the healthcare system and the public. In support of this and to celebrate our exceptional...

Today Somek & Associates staff walked 10k in aid of our chosen charity of the year, BURPS. We didn't let a little heatwave put us off and we were even joined by Charlie Hogan, Case Admin Team Leader and his little boy Alex! By...

  1️⃣ Trusted by solicitors and barristers as one of the leading Expert Witness Consultancy’s in the medico-legal sector for over 25 years  2️⃣ An extensive range of high calibre experts in all specialisms...

Upon reaching her 3 year work anniversary at Somek & Associates, Laurel tells us about the highlights of her journey with us so far... I started working in the Reports Team at Somek in the middle of the pandemic, so it certainly wasn’t the typical...

Today Sharon Beattie, Quality Assurance & Training Lead (Quantum) and Louise Martinez, Associate Trainer & Occupational Therapy Expert Witness have exhibited at The Care & Occupational Therapy show, which took place at Westpoint Arena in...

Our 2023 conference took place as a virtual event on Friday 16th June, what a day it was!! We had over 80 experts and Somek staff who attended. In addition there were also clients and members of Frenkel Topping Group. There was a wide variety of speakers...

Somek & Associates are thrilled to be a platinum sponsor of the 2023 Royal College of Occupational Therapists annual conference .  For attendees who have registered, the virtual platform is now live to view and we hope that delegates will book...

In Line with this years theme on 'Anxiety' for mental health awareness week, our excellent mental health nurse expert witness, Alex Penfold , shares some of her most common methods of supporting a patient suffering with anxiety... The...

Today Somek & Associates we are celebrating International Day of the Midwife. Midwives from across the globe are coming together to celebrate this years theme, "together again: from evidence to reality" and honours the efforts of midwives...

Somek and Associates' Alison Somek, MD, is delighted to be exhibiting at the Society of Clinical Injury Lawyers (SCIL)  conference in Birmingham today, Thursday 4th May! Congratulations to Charlotte Toms from Wilson Browne...

Teaching Skills To Save Lives By Amanda Agbebi By way of introduction – I am the Quality Assurance & Training Lead (Liability) with Somek & Associates, I am also a Nursing Expert Witness. This article however is completely different to...

Join us for a series of free virtual presentations for solicitors and barristers Hosted by Somek & Associates View this video to learn more about our virtual event taking place on Friday 28th April 2023 12:00 - 2:00pm.  If you are a...

'The Teenage Aspie' by Callum Giles. The National Autistic Society is our charity of the year and this week we are celebrating Autism Acceptance Week. One of our Administration Assistants in the case admin team has shared his remarkable journey...

Somek and Associates are proud supporters of  The National Autistic Society  - our nominated charity for the past 12 months - and World Autism Acceptance Week, which runs from 27th March to 2nd April 2023.  The theme for...

Did you know that as well as  Occupational Therapists ,  Nurses ,  Midwives  and  Physiotherapists , we also provide fully trained  Orthotists ,  Prosthetists ,  Speech & Language Therapists  and ...

Head of Medico-legal Operations, Jessica Thurston shares her view on International Women's Day and what it means to her   What does International Women's Day mean to you? I have mixed feelings about International Women’s Day. On...

  Massive Congratulations to Somek & Associates' Lynn Hannon, experienced nurse expert witness who specialises in learnign difficulties, loss of service, stoma and colostomy care, CHC appeals, capacity and BIA. We are delighted...

In Muyepa -V- Ministry of Defence (2022) EWHC 2648 (KB), Mr Justice Cotter was highly critical of the claimant’s care and occupational therapy experts’ approach to the issue of care aids and appliances and a number of other heads of claim. He was...

Somek & Associates have a wealth of over 20 Physiotherapy expert witnesses who provide quantum and liability reports. This month we are focusing on those who specialise in musculoskeletal and spinal conditions and upper and lower limb amputations. We...

The following article is a personal reflection on becoming an OT expert witness, by Barbara Franks OT expert and Somek Associate Trainer... Up until 2015 I had never heard of the term expert witness, and it was only when I began exploring the...

Please note that Somek and Associates offices will be closed on: 23rd December from 1pm; 28th-30th December from 3.30pm Normal office hours will resume from Tuesday 3rd January 2023...

Somek & Associates' Tanya Owen, highly experienced physiotherapist expert witness - who specialises in neurology, spinal cord injury, cauda equina syndrome, brain injury, cerebral palsy, and stroke - has an article published in the...

Somek and Associates' Alison Somek, MD, Jessica Thurston, Head of Medico-legal Operations, and Amy Taylor, Marketing Lead, are en-route to Manchester and looking forward to attending the 2022 Personal Injury Awards this evening! ...

Somek & Associates are delighted to welcome Joy Cooper, our new Client Relationship Lead, to the team. Joy has a wealth of experience working with clients and we very much look forward to working with her!! ...

       World Prematurity Day — Freddie’s Story, by Natalie Le Roux, Freddie’s Mum And Head of HR *trigger warning* The following discusses premature birth. To celebrate World Prematurity Day on Thursday 17th...

Somek & Associates had great fun yesterday, Monday 31st October, raising funds for The National Autistic Society - Somek's nominated charity for the year - with our Halloween-themed fundraiser. Staff dressed up in Halloween costumes and brought...

How we are raising funds for the Poppy Appeal? How did you support The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal last year?  Did you buy a poppy? This year Somek & Associates are supporting The Poppy Appeal by adding a ‘poppy’ to our...

Somek and Associates are looking to recruit experienced nurses - who are working at a senior level with a minimum of 10 years clinical experience - including paediatric nurses, prison nurses, mental health nurses with community/inpatient...

Somek and Associates are looking to recruit experienced Occupational Therapists and Case Managers in all clinical areas - including orthopaedics, trauma, general medicine and surgery, neurology, brain injury, spinal injury, cauda equina syndrome, amputee,...

Today four of our experienced Midwifery expert witnesses will be presenting their perspectives on medico-legal issues raised and the pregnancy journey to over 50 solicitors and barristers. This is a completely free virtual event.  To learn more about...

Somek and Associates' Julia Parvia, midwifery expert and associate trainer, is delighted to be presenting to lawyers today at  Irwin Mitchell 's ’Maternity Matters' webinar. Julia will be presenting on ‘Midwifery Matters: A Focus...

Somek & Associates' Jessica Thurston, Head of Medico-legal Operations and Occupational Therapist/Care Expert, will be hosting a virtual quantum open evening on Thursday 3rd November 2022 between 7pm and 8pm. So, if you’re an...

Somek & Associates is absolutely thrilled to be recognised and shortlisted as a Finalist in this year’s PI Awards – this our 25th anniversary year as a business! Fingers crossed and good luck to all entrants!  ...

Somek & Associates' Alison Somek, MD, Jessica Thurston, Chief Operating Officer, and Amy Taylor, Marketing Lead, were delighted to attend the 2-day APIL clinical negligence annual conference at Celtic Manor on the 21st and 22nd of...

As a mark of respect and to honour our wonderful Queen Elizabeth II, Somek & Associates offices will be closed on Monday 19th September for the state funeral. We encourage our staff to take this time to celebrate her life, personally and...

Message from Alison Somek, MD After 25 years of building and developing Somek and Associates into the significant expert witness company it is today, we are proud to announce that we have moved to the next stage in our journey. Chris and I are delighted...

Somek & Associates are featured on page 17 of the latest issue of Neuro Rehab Times (Issue 22), please click here. We are currently recruiting experienced occupational therapists and case managers specialising in all clinical areas, especially those...

This week Somek & Associates feature in Neuro Rehab Times , where Barbara Franks (pictured), our wonderful Occupational Therapist expert witness, talks about 'The role of an occupational therapist as an expert witness'....

  Somek & Associates' Alison Somek, CEO, and Giles Eyre, are presenting a webinar 'Experts Discussions & Joint Statements - From Law to Practice' this evening between 6pm and 8pm for our corporate partner the Expert Witness...

A massive thank you to all our fantastic speakers, exhibitors and expert witnesses for attending Somek and Associates' annual conference  #SomekAC2022  on Friday, 17th June - sponsored by  Think Therapy 1st  - and...

Somek and Associates are delighted to have raised over £180 so far for  The National Autistic Society , our nominated charity for the next 12 months. We held a jubilee themed fundraiser event yesterday, 15th June 2022 - staff dressed...

Somek and Associates are excited to announce that our annual conference ‘ A Chance to Come Together & Celebrate Our 25th Anniversary’   #SomekAC2022  is taking place this Friday, 17th June 2022, sponsored by  Think Therapy 1...

Somek and Associates' Barbara Franks, Occupational Therapist expert witness and Associate Trainer, has written an article 'The Role Of An Occupational Therapist As An Expert Witness' which is accompanied by an OT recruitment ad on page 15...

"Would you please pass on my thanks to everyone at Somek. I have really enjoyed my work with you all and, having talked to other colleagues, I’m so glad that I worked for you and not one of the ‘other’ companies! The level of support,...

Somek and Associates are delighted to feature on page 111 of the Brain & Spinal Injury Handbook 2022/2023 edition: 'Somek and Associates' Brain and Spinal Injury Reports'.  To view the publication, please click here. ...

We hope everyone attending The Expert Witness Institute's online annual conference today, including many of our Somek & Associates' expert witnesses, enjoy the day and the fantastic line up of speakers - including Lord Hamblen's...

Somek & Associates' Alison Somek, CEO, and Jessica Thurston, Chief Operating Officer, are delighted to be at APIL's 2022 Advanced Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Conference at The Celtic Manor. They are ready to meet our clients and network!...

As an EWI Corporate Partner, Somek & Associates are really looking forward to The Expert Witness Institute's 2022 Online Annual Conference - The Modern Expert: Relevant, Current, and Evolving - on Friday 20th May! To view the...

  Jessica Thurston, Somek & Associates' Chief Operating Officer and OT expert, really enjoyed the recent Pace Rehabilitation Life and Limb Conference, from both a clinical and an expert witness perspective: "The Pace conferences...

Somek & Associates are looking to recruit Speech & Language Therapists specialising in  paediatrics  and head/neck  oncolgy  who are working at a senior level with a minimum of 8 years clinical experience to join our team...

Somek and Associates are are looking for experienced nurses working clinically at a senior level, who specialise in using NHS 111 pathways and supporting NHS 111 call advisors/call handlers, to join our team of expert witnesses.  If...

Somek and Associates are looking for an experienced Speech and Language Therapist, specialising in head and neck oncology and voice, to join our team of expert witnesses.  If you are looking for a new challenge and would like to know more we would love...

Somek & Associates' OT expert witnesses, Sharon Beattie and Nicola Lawson, have had a fantastic day at the 2021 OT Show today (24th November) - it has been so lovely to meet up with some of our Somek experts!  Sharon and Nicola also...

Somek & Associates hope all physiotherapists attending today's MLACP virtual AGM and Winter conference have a fantastic time! Suzanne Oxley, Somek's physio expert witness, is presenting on “The physiotherapy management of...

The Nov/Dec issue of The OT Magazine is out now… turn to page 31 to read Somek & Associates' article ‘Expert Witness OTs’, which celebrates OT & Care Expert Witnesses to mark OT Week 2021.   ...

A Reflection on Life as an Expert Witness during the COVID-19 Pandemic Congratulations to Somek & Associates' Jessica Thurston, Chief Operating Officer and OT & Care Expert Witness, for her excellent article 'A reflection of life as...

A Reflection on Life as an Expert Witness during the COVID-19 Pandemic Congratulations to Somek & Associates' Jessica Thurston, Chief Operating Officer and OT & Care Expert Witness, for her excellent article 'A reflection of life as...

This OT week 2021, Somek & Associates celebrate Occupational Therapists everywhere, including our amazing OT Expert Witnesses. To mark OT week and celebrate the important work of OT Expert Witnesses, we have an article...

Somek and Associates are having fun fundraising today for Macmillan cancer support with a coffee morning, quiz and by wearing something green! To donate to this very important cause and raise vital funds, please click here .    ...

Somek & Associates' Amanda Agbebi, Quality Assurance & Training Lead (Liability), and Rachel Coleman, Midwifery expert, are looking forward to speaking at today's APIL's Legal Training for Expert Witnesses webinar on 'A...

  Somek & Associates is thrilled to announce that we have have been shortlisted as a finalist for 'Medicolegal Provider of the Year' at the 2021 Personal Injury Awards - we can't wait to attend the awards ceremony in person...

On Thursday 7th October at 7pm-8pm,  Somek & Associates ' Jessica Thurston, Chief Operating Officer and OT / Care Expert witness, will be hosting our next virtual open evening presentation for  Occupationa ltherapists , ...

Somek and Associates' Amanda Agbebi, Associate Trainer and nursing expert, and Barbara Franks, Associate Trainer and Occupational Therapist / Care Expert, are looking forward to presenting virtually on '"Handy" legal tips'...

Somek and Associates' Alison Somek, CEO, and Yvonne Lane, Client Relationship Consultant, were delighted to attend the APIL 2-day clinical negligence annual conference at Celtic Manor on the 22nd and 23rd of September. It was exciting to finally be...

Somek and Associates' Lyn Crocker-Eakins, midwifery expert witness, was excited to attend the 2021 National Maternity Safety Conference. Here is her account of the day... I was proud to attend the National Maternity Safety Conference...

Our first virtual conference, titled 'Celebrating our Resilience' on Friday 18 th June 2021, with parallel sessions was an absolute success! Behind the scenes the speakers joined, poised ready for their session to start while Alison and Jess...

Somek & Associates  are holding their virtual annual conference today titled 'Celebrating our Resilience' - we look forward to seeing many of our expert witnesses for what promises to be a great day with a fantastic line up of...