October is Occupational Therapy Month, a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of Occupational Therapists (OTs) who help people live healthier, more independent, and more meaningful lives. While many people are familiar with OTs working in hospitals, schools, or rehabilitation centers, fewer realize the unique and growing role they play in the medical-legal field.

What Do Occupational Therapists Do?

Occupational Therapists specialize in enabling people to participate in the activities—or “occupations”—that matter most to them. Whether it’s recovering after an injury, adapting to a disability, or finding strategies to navigate daily life, OTs use evidence-based techniques to support function, independence, and well-being.

Where OT Meets the Legal World

In medical-legal contexts, OTs bring a highly practical, client-centered perspective. Their training in assessing function, environment, and participation makes them uniquely suited to provide insights that help lawyers, insurers, and courts understand the full impact of illness or injury on a person’s life.

1. Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs)

OTs conduct comprehensive assessments to measure a person’s physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities as they relate to daily tasks and employment. These evaluations can be pivotal in cases involving personal injury, workplace accidents, or disability claims.

2. Life Care Planning

OTs are often part of life care planning teams, where they project the long-term needs of individuals living with chronic conditions or catastrophic injuries. They consider therapy, equipment, home modifications, and support services—providing a realistic picture of future costs and care needs.

3. Expert Testimony

With their detailed, evidence-based reports, OTs can serve as expert witnesses in court. They help judges and juries understand how an injury has affected someone’s ability to work, care for themselves, or participate in meaningful activities.

4. Vocational Rehabilitation

OTs also guide individuals returning to work after injury. They can recommend modifications, adaptive strategies, or alternative employment options, which can be crucial in litigation involving loss of income or earning potential.

5. Home and Environmental Assessments

By evaluating living spaces, OTs determine whether an individual can live safely and independently or whether modifications are required. These insights often inform claims around housing needs, accessibility, or quality of life.

Why OTs Are Indispensable in Medical-Legal Work

What makes OTs especially valuable is their holistic lens: they don’t just measure medical impairment, they look at how that impairment translates into real-life function. This practical focus bridges the gap between clinical diagnosis and everyday impact—a perspective that is critical in legal decision-making.

Closing Thoughts

As we celebrate Occupational Therapy Month, it’s important to shine a light on the often-overlooked but deeply influential role OTs play in the medical-legal arena. Their expertise ensures that the human side of health and ability is clearly represented, supporting fair outcomes for individuals navigating the legal system.

This October, let’s honor Occupational Therapists not only for the hands-on care they provide but also for the way they advocate, analyze, and elevate understanding in complex medical-legal cases.