NICOLA EVANS - NEW PAEDIATRIC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST EXPERT WITNESS

Please meet Nicola Evans, Occupational Therapist and the newest member of our Expert Witness team. Nicola qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2003 and has extensive experience in both clinical practice and senior management within Local Authorities and private healthcare settings.

Nicola also has over nine years of experience working in litigation as a Case Manager, completing Immediate Needs Assessments and identifying key issues, solutions, and associated costs.

She manages complex cases involving children and adults with catastrophic injuries, giving her extensive experience and a deep understanding of occupational therapy, rehabilitation, care, and the litigation process.

Nicola works for Jane James & Associates as an independent expert witness, taking instructions from both Claimant and Defendant firms for reports regarding care, aids and equipment.

EARLY LIFE

Nicola was born and raised in Strood, Kent. She came from a large family and was the first in her family to attend grammar school, something her parents were incredibly proud of.

Sadly, Nicola didn't enjoy her time at school and left after her ‘O’ Levels to work in a bank. Nicola married young and, always wanting a large family, had four children in her twenties.

NICOLA’S ROUTE INTO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Nicola enjoyed raising her family, but felt something was missing. She needed to challenge herself, so after conducting some research, visiting her local job centre to discuss the options available to her and answering numerous questions, one of the matches was occupational therapy.

It sounded interesting and definitely more aligned with Nicola’s personality and her caring maternal nature. She decided to contact Medway Council and arranged a visit so she could experience the role firsthand. It soon became clear it was the career for her.

She began an Access Course in 1999 and then attended the University of Canterbury and Christchurch, where she studied occupational therapy as a mature student. 

Not only was she a full-time mother to four children while studying for her degree, but during her second year at university, Nicola got divorced. She continued her degree as a single mother, graduating in 2003.

HER FIRST OT ROLE

After graduating, Nicola’s first OT role was with Kent County Council, providing standard equipment and adaptations assessments for adults and children. Nicola enjoyed the work, remaining there for 18 months before realising she needed a new challenge.

In 2005, Nicola applied for a role as Development and Operations Manager with Inspire Community Trust, where she managed Housing OT services, the Information and Advice team, the Blue Badge assessment service, the Visual Impairment team and Day services. Her clients were physically disabled or living with a brain injury. Nicola enjoyed the work, but there were some frustrations as she had progressed as far as she could within the role and longed for a new challenge.

SELF EMPLOYMENT BECKONED

Nicola knew she didn't want to pursue another management role, preferring something more hands-on. In 2012, towards the end of her time with Inspire, Nicola took the opportunity to broaden her experience by becoming self-employed.

In 2015, with her extensive experience in both clinical practice and senior management in private healthcare settings, Nicola undertook a number of Local Authority roles providing similar assessments for clients with physical disabilities and brain injuries. It was here that she discovered case management work, which she found hugely enjoyable.

 

AN ENJOYABLE LONG-TERM ROLE

In 2016, Nicola took on a role with Ainscough Assessment (where she remains today), working with adults and children with catastrophic brain injuries. Her clients include children with cerebral palsy, seizures and brain injury. She assists families through challenging legal battles and provides much-needed support to parents and carers, so that they, in turn, can support the child or adult. Nicola loves her work, saying,

“The workload is so varied, and there is no such thing as an average day, which is one of the things I enjoy most about my job. As a mum of four, I especially love working with fellow mums as they look after their children. I enjoy supporting them and making a positive difference to their day-to-day lives.”

ROUTE INTO EXPERT WITNESS WORK

Nicola discovered expert witness work in 2016 when she was approached by an expert witness reporting company, subsequently completing several reports for them. When the business owner retired, she mentioned to Nicola that JJ&A were the company to approach as they had an excellent reputation in the industry.

With a lot on her plate at the time, she put expert witness work on hold until she saw one of our LinkedIn posts and decided to reach out for a chat. As Nicola explains,

“I previously enjoyed expert witness work and had the time to commit to it, so I thought, why not reach out for a chat? 

From the moment of contact, the whole team at JJ&A has been friendly and welcoming. Everything has gone smoothly and feels natural and easy - I can just be myself, which is wonderful. Working with JJ&A  already feels like a good fit as we share the same caring ethos.

I have received my first instruction, with my first case starting this month (January 2026). I am really looking forward to making a difference in this case and subsequent cases.”

Nicola likes to make a positive impact on the families she works with, supporting them and helping them through the process, letting them know that they are not alone. 

IN HER SPARE TIME

Family is incredibly important to Nicola. She enjoys spending as much time as possible with her four grown-up children, three grandchildren and supporting her ageing mum. When she’s not spending time with her family, Nicola enjoys meditating, daily walks, travelling and socialising with her friends.

Nicola has travelled extensively to South Africa, the Maldives, the USA, and Europe and says, 

“I love exploring, embracing and understanding new cultures. I also love spending time in sunny climates! I especially love the mountain regions of Spain, and I’m currently trying to learn Spanish even though I’m not finding it that easy!”
 

Throughout her career, Nicola has managed a complex clinical caseload while also providing managerial support to fellow occupational therapists. She has extensive clinical expertise in the areas of brain injury from birth and in supporting clients and their families who experience significant psychological sequelae following trauma.

Nicola is a member of:

• Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

• British Association of Brain Injury Case Managers (BABICM)

• Case Management Society UK (CMSUK)

• Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT)

• Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

Nicola works for Jane James & Associates as an independent expert witness, taking instructions from both Claimant and Defendant firms for reports regarding care, aids and equipment.