Chris Freestone Q&A

Find out about Chris Freestone's journey to becoming an expert witness for Jane James & Associates.

 

CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PROGRESSION FROM CLINICAL NURSING TO BECOMING AN EXPERT WITNESS?

I was working at the Royal National Orthopaedic Centre in the late 90s, when one of the managers left to start her own medico-legal expert witness business. She soon approached me to work for her, writing expert reports, alongside my existing job role.

I was quite naive at the time, so I thought Why not? Although I did have reservations: Am I credible? Do I have enough relevant experience? I did question whether I was good enough, but she had faith in my ability, and as I possessed sound knowledge and skills, those formed the basis of my expert witness reporting.

I soon learned that having good experience, knowledge, and a sound skill base was a great starting point, one I could build upon as my expert witness work increased.

I grew to enjoy the work and found that I could fit the reporting in alongside my job at the RNO, lecturing and family life. To help with the ‘work-life balance’, I took on two to three cases per year. Of course, there was occasional pressure when solicitors needed additional information, and needed it yesterday, but on the whole, the workload was manageable.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO SPECIALISE IN SPINAL CORD INJURY CARE?

It was one of those serendipitous moments where everything conspires to point you in a particular direction. I was working in orthopaedics when a young man was admitted with a broken neck (with no neurological loss) sustained while playing rugby. He was the same age as me, and in working with him, I came to recognise the massive impact this had made on his life and the difference I could make by helping him. 

I put myself in his shoes and, in doing so, had set myself on the path to specialising in spinal cord injury.

At the same time, and this is where serendipity steps in, an opportunity to take a course in spinal injury landed in my lap. It was clearly the nudge I needed, and so I took up the course and have never looked back. I loved the work then and still do after all these years.

WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME AN EXPERT & WORK WITH JJ&A? WHAT SETS JJ&A APART?

As I've already mentioned, expert witness work found me, and I soon realised that it was something I was pretty good at and thoroughly enjoyed.

However, it was short-lived, as during the 15 years spent working for myself, building up my care company, I didn't undertake much expert witness work. Once my business had been sold, I decided to return to expert witness work.

I knew Jane and was aware of Jane James and Associates' excellent reputation within the industry, so I set up a conversation, which led to me becoming a JJ&A expert witness.

Many things set Jane James and Associates apart from their competition: their clarity of communication is superb, they are open, friendly and offer excellent administrative liaison and support to both their expert witnesses and clients.

There is an open, professional, non-intimidating culture, and it might sound clichéd, but there’s a real family feel to working with them. I feel valued and not like ‘just a number’. I know that I am always supported and feel very comfortable in that knowledge.

The whole team are approachable and easy to talk to. I know everyone by their first name and who to contact if I have a specific question. They make the expert witness process straightforward, enjoyable, and rewarding.

I'm the type of person who needs to be in control of the process, whatever that might be. JJ&A enable me to feel in control and supported every step of the way. The simple fact is they care. They care about their expert witnesses, their clients, the quality of their reports and providing the best outcome for all concerned.

I recommend to anyone starting their expert witness journey or who has tried expert witness work and, for whatever reason, felt it wasn't for them, get in touch with JJ&A.

HOW HAS YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A BUSINESS OWNER, CLINICAL DIRECTOR & CASE MANAGER, SHAPED YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF COMPLEX NEUROLOGICAL CARE NEEDS & YOUR EXPERT WITNESS REPORTING?

My experience as a business owner, care provider, clinical director, and case manager has positively influenced my understanding of complex neurological care needs and my expertise in expert witness reporting.

I've experienced neurological care in several roles: nurse, case manager, care provider, and business owner. I have experienced first-hand and recognise how commissioning funding works and what is available. Having an understanding of how care packages work in practice, ‘on the ground’, has informed my expert witness reporting, providing clarity on specific needs, requirements, and the associated costs.

I have attended Court as a case manager, which has made me appreciate the responsibility of preparing reports for the Court. I have been a nurse, a care provider, and a case manager and wearing those shoes has made me more empathetic and given me a more balanced view.

From an expert witness's point of view, a well-managed case makes life easier as it gives the expert the freedom to concentrate on their area of expertise and produce a knowledgeable, straightforward and well-thought-out report based on a thorough understanding of the required care needs, as this will greatly help in the quest for support and access to funds.

WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR ANYONE CONSIDERING JOINING JJ&A AS AN EXPERT WITNESS?

If anyone is thinking about becoming an expert witness, JJ&A is a fantastic organisation to choose. They have the structure, support and training in place to make the transition from nurse, occupational therapist or physiotherapist a smooth one.