Stroke Medical Consulting

Independent Stroke Advisory Opinions for Legal Teams

Independent medico-legal advisory opinions in adult stroke cases, including delays in diagnosis and treatment, thrombolysis decision-making, and stroke pathway analysis.

Focused exclusively on stroke care and time-critical decision-making, we provide legal teams with clear, structured clinical input at an early stage.

We work with claimant and defendant solicitors, in-house legal teams, and insurers.

Dr James Backshall
Senior Specialist Doctor in Stroke Medicine
Hyperacute Stroke Unit, Dorset County Hospital

Download Medico-Legal CV
Make a Medico-Legal Enquiry
Black and white portrait of a man wearing glasses, a suit, and a striped tie, smiling slightly, against a plain light background.

  • Hyperacute stroke expertise (frontline decision-making)

  • Independent, objective medico-legal opinion

  • Typical turnaround 2–4 weeks (expedited review available)

  • UK-wide instructions accepted

Stroke Medical Consulting provides independent medico-legal advisory opinions in relation to adult stroke care.

The practice is led by Dr James Backshall, a UK stroke specialist working within a Hyperacute Stroke Unit, with extensive experience in acute stroke assessment, thrombolysis decision-making, and time-critical stroke pathways.

Dr Backshall has extensive experience in retrospective case review, including mortality review and Serious Incident investigation within NHS stroke services.

How We Support Legal Teams

We provide structured, independent clinical opinions in relation to:

  • Breach of duty

  • Causation

  • Condition and prognosis

  • Clinical timelines and interpretation of medical records

Our reports are concise, structured and designed for practical use legal decision-making.

Scope of Instruction

We are particularly helpful where:

  • An early independent clinical view is required prior to formal expert instruction

  • The merits of a potential claim need to be assessed

  • There are complex issues relating to stroke diagnosis, management, or outcomes

  • Guidance is needed on breach of duty or causation prior to Part 35 instruction

  • A second opinion is required on an existing report or case strategy

  • A clear clinical timeline or interpretation of records would assist case preparation

Areas of Clinical Relevance

  • Delayed diagnosis of stroke

  • Failure to recognise stroke symptoms

  • Delay in imaging or specialist referral

  • Thrombolysis decision-making and eligibility

  • Stroke pathway and system-related delays

  • TIA and evolving stroke presentations

  • Acute blood pressure management in the context of acute stroke care

Instruction Process

  1. Receipt of initial enquiry and documentation

  2. Preliminary review and confirmation of suitability

  3. Agreement of scope, fees, and turnaround time

  4. Preparation and delivery of written advisory opinion
    Fees


Fees are agreed on a case-by-case basis, depending on the scope of instruction and volume of medical records. We aim to provide a clear fee quote promptly following initial review of the documentation. Work will not proceed beyond the agreed scope without prior discussion and confirmation of any additional fees.

Make a Medico-Legal Enquiry

Services are currently focused on independent advisory opinions at pre-litigation and early litigation stage.

Court-compliant Part 35 reporting and court attendance are not currently offered.