Question 1

What is Litigation Consulting Group (LCG)?

Accepted Answer

LCG is a consolidated litigation support provider that gives attorneys access to all the key medical, financial, and actuarial experts they need in damages matters — through one coordinated instruction. Instead of managing multiple separate providers, attorneys deal with one team.

Question 2

What makes LCG different from other providers?

Accepted Answer

Three things — better service delivery, faster turnaround times, and more affordable upfront pricing. We also assign each attorney a dedicated business partner available 24/7, so you're never routed through a call centre.

Question 3

What types of cases does LCG handle?

Accepted Answer

Any case involving damages due to someone else's negligence — Road Accident Fund claims, medical negligence, wrongful arrest, personal injury, loss of support, and divorce or maintenance matters. If someone has suffered damages, there's a claim.

Question 4

What expert reports can LCG coordinate?

Accepted Answer

We coordinate orthopaedic surgeons, occupational therapists, industrial psychologists, actuaries, forensic audits, clinical psychologists, neurologists and neurosurgeons - all under one roof.

Question 5

Why was LCG created?

Accepted Answer

LCG was created to solve a real problem in the market — poor service delivery, slow turnaround times, lack of communication, and expensive upfront pricing from traditional medico-legal providers. Attorneys needed one trusted provider instead of juggling multiple separate experts.

Question 6

Can attorneys instruct LCG for multiple experts at once?

Accepted Answer

Yes. That's one of our key advantages. Attorneys can instruct one coordinated team rather than managing several unrelated experts separately. This improves consistency, communication, and speed across the entire matter.

Question 7

How does LCG ensure quality across expert reports?

Accepted Answer

Every report goes through multiple internal reviews. IP reports are drafted by a junior, reviewed by a senior, then signed off by the managing industrial psychologist. Actuarial reports pass through five levels of checking — data extraction, financial modelling, drafting, review, and final audit.

Question 8

Does LCG work nationally?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LCG's service model operates across all nine provinces of South Africa with recurring mobile assessments, so attorneys anywhere in the country can instruct us.

Question 9

What is the value proposition of using LCG?

Accepted Answer

Attorneys can obtain all four primary expert reports for approximately the cost of a single orthopaedic surgeon report elsewhere, while also receiving faster turnaround times, better communication, and a dedicated business partner.

Question 10

What happens if there isn't a valid claim?

Accepted Answer

We'll do everything in our power to find a claim using all our experts. But if it becomes clear there's nothing to pursue, we tell the attorney immediately and make sure no unnecessary costs are incurred. We've refunded clients in rare cases.

Question 11

Can LCG help reduce the administrative burden on my firm?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A central theme of our model is removing the need for attorneys to coordinate multiple separate providers. One instruction to LCG replaces separate communications with five or six different experts — reducing delays, gaps, and duplicated administration.

Question 12

Do the experts at LCG communicate with each other?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the process is streamlined from one expert to the other — as the experts work as a coordinated unit, not in isolation. This is one of the biggest advantages of the consolidated model.

Question 13

What are the four primary expert reports usually required in damages claims?

Accepted Answer

Orthopaedic surgeon, occupational therapist, industrial psychologist, and actuarial reports. Together they establish the physical injury, functional limitations, career impact, and the financial value of the loss.

Question 14

How quickly can LCG deliver reports?

Accepted Answer

Industrial psychologist reports are typically delivered within 3 to 5 working days. In urgent matters, we can turn them around in 24 hours. Actuarial reports can sometimes be completed within the hour in emergency situations.

Question 15

Do you offer assessments outside of Gauteng?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We run mobile assessments in all nine provinces on a recurring basis, so attorneys anywhere in the country can plan their matters in advance.

Question 16

Will I have a direct point of contact at LCG?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Every attorney is assigned a business partner — think of it like a private banker for your litigation matters. They're available on WhatsApp or phone, including after hours, weekends, and public holidays.

Question 17

What if my business partner is unavailable?

Accepted Answer

If your partner is unavailable, our operations manager is your backup. If both are on calls, someone else will call you back. We promise someone will always respond — we don't route you through reception.

Question 18

How does the coordinated instruction process work?

Accepted Answer

You instruct LCG once, and we handle the rest — scheduling the assessments, coordinating between experts, managing timelines, and delivering all reports back to you. One instruction, one team, one point of contact.

Question 19

Can LCG handle urgent trial preparation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We understand that attorneys often face last-minute deadlines. Our team is built to respond quickly — whether it's an urgent actuarial calculation, a supplementary IP opinion, or a last-minute RAF4 form.

Question 20

What documents do I need to provide to get started?

Accepted Answer

At minimum, we need the claimant's identity document, proof of earnings (payslips or bank statements), and any available medical records or RAF documentation. The more you provide upfront, the stronger and faster the reports.

Question 21

How does LCG handle matters where there's no proof of earnings at all?

Accepted Answer

If proof of earnings is unavailable, we can still work with independent confirmation of the claimant's job title. The industrial psychologist then benchmarks earnings using salary scales and market medians. We also recommend gathering affidavits from employers, clients, or suppliers.

Question 22

Do the experts communicate with each other during a matter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. That's one of the biggest advantages of the LCG model. The experts work as a coordinated unit — the IP uses the surgeon's findings, the actuary uses the IP's projections. Nothing is done in isolation.

Question 23

How quickly can assessments be scheduled in remote provinces?

Accepted Answer

Mobile assessments are planned on a recurring schedule across all nine provinces. Attorneys can plan matters in advance around these schedules, and we accommodate urgent out-of-province requests where possible.

Question 24

Can I track the progress of my matter?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your dedicated business partner provides regular updates and is always reachable for status checks. You'll never be left wondering where your reports are.

Question 25

What happens after all the expert reports are completed?

Accepted Answer

The actuarial report is typically the final step — it pulls together all the expert findings into a single financial calculation. Once it's delivered, the attorney has everything needed to proceed with settlement negotiations or trial preparation.

Question 26

How does LCG's pricing work?

Accepted Answer

Attorneys can obtain all four primary expert reports for approximately the cost of a single orthopaedic report elsewhere. There's a deposit upfront and the balance is payable on cost order.

Question 27

What does "no-win, no-fee" mean at LCG?

Accepted Answer

It means we align our interests with yours. The balance of the expert fees is only payable if the case settles successfully. If the matter is unsuccessful, we don't send an invoice — other experts will, but we won't.

Question 28

Will you tell us early if a claim looks weak?

Accepted Answer

Yes. If our team determines early on that a claim isn't viable, we'd rather tell the attorney upfront than let unnecessary costs pile up.

Question 29

How much does an actuarial report cost?

Accepted Answer

The base actuarial report is R13,500 excluding VAT. Additional contingency scenarios cost R3,200 each excluding VAT. These terms apply across RAF, medical negligence, and personal injury matters.

Question 30

Are the payment terms the same for medical negligence matters?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The same turnaround times, pricing, and no-win no-fee balance arrangements apply across RAF, medical negligence, and personal injury matters.

Question 31

Do your experts have court experience?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LCG prioritises experts with strong track records, credible report writing, and proven court experience. Our reports are designed to withstand cross-examination.

Question 32

How do actuarial reports pass quality control?

Accepted Answer

Actuarial reports go through at least five levels of checking — data extraction, financial modelling, calculation review, report drafting, and a final audit before sign-off.

Question 33

How do IP reports pass quality control?

Accepted Answer

A junior IP drafts the report, a senior IP reviews it, and then the managing industrial psychologist does a final review and signs off. The expert who will appear in court is the one who signs the report.

Question 34

Can LCG provide contingency brackets in reports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Providing a "high" and "low" scenario gives the attorney a settlement bracket. This helps manage client expectations and provides a logical framework for negotiations with the RAF

Question 35

Who pays for the expert reports in maintenance and divorce matters?

Accepted Answer

In maintenance matters, the client pays directly rather than the attorney. If the attorney is acting as executor of an estate, the estate pays. This is different from RAF matters where the attorney typically carries the disbursement cost.

Question 36

What is the minimum documentation needed to produce a first report?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, just the claimant's payslip and basic case details are enough to produce a draft report that demonstrates the claim value. This allows attorneys to assess viability before committing to full disbursements.

Question 37

How does LCG's pricing compare to instructing experts individually?

Accepted Answer

Significantly more affordable. Individually, each expert charges separately and often demands full payment upfront. Through LCG, you get coordinated reports with split payment terms and a single point of contact — at a fraction of the total cost.

Question 38

Why is proof of earnings so critical?

Accepted Answer

Without proper proof, a case can be thrown out. In the Kubheka vs RAF 2025 case, a judge dismissed the claim because it relied solely on what the claimant said they earned. Payslips, bank statements, or employer letters are essential.

Question 39

How do you handle self-employed claimants who don't have payslips?

Accepted Answer

We prefer bank statements because they show actual cash flow. For informal earners, we recommend at least three independent affidavits from clients, suppliers, or competitors. Courts no longer accept self-reported earnings on their own.

Question 40

What documents does the actuary need to get started?

Accepted Answer

Payslips (6 Months prior to the accident & 6 months post the accident), IRP5s, bank statements, the industrial psychologist's report, and any available medical reports. Employment certificates can also help clarify the total package.

Question 41

What is the risk if an attorney uses unverified earnings?

Accepted Answer

The attorney risks spending significant money on expert fees only for the judge to dismiss the case for lack of evidence. Independent confirmation of earnings is no longer optional.

Question 42

What is the minimum requirement for proof of earnings?

Accepted Answer

At a bare minimum, you need an independent confirmation of the claimant's employment and earnings.
Bank statements are now the gold standard, particularly for self-employed claimants

Question 43

How are earnings calculated for self-employed individuals?

Accepted Answer

Actuaries often prefer bank statements over financial statements because financials are optimised for tax and may not reflect true business profit. They also use industry revenue benchmarks to cross-check what the profit rate should be.

Question 44

What is a forensic audit and when is it needed?

Accepted Answer

A forensic audit investigates financial records, bank statements, and earnings to establish true income levels. It's needed primarily when the claimant is self-employed or earns income informally and doesn't have standard payslips.

Question 45

How many affidavits are needed for informal earnings?

Accepted Answer

A minimum of three independent affidavits, with more affidavits materially strengthening the claim. These should come from clients, suppliers, or competitors — not the claimant themselves.

Question 46

What documents do I need to provide to get started?

Accepted Answer

At minimum, we need the claimant's identity document, proof of earnings (payslips or bank statements), and any available medical records or RAF documentation. The more you provide upfront, the stronger and faster the reports.

Question 47

What role does the orthopaedic surgeon play in a claim?

Accepted Answer

The surgeon is usually the first expert involved. They assess the physical injuries, determine whether they're serious and permanent, and complete the RAF4 form — which is required to certify the claimant qualifies for a future loss of earnings claim.

Question 48

What is the RAF4 form?

Accepted Answer

It's a form completed by the orthopaedic surgeon that certifies a claimant's injuries are serious and permanent. Without it, you can't proceed with a claim for future loss of earnings against the Road Accident Fund.

Question 49

How does the surgeon's assessment feed into the rest of the claim?

Accepted Answer

The surgeon's findings on physical limitations, degeneration risk, and early retirement probability are picked up by the IP and actuary. If the surgeon says there's a risk of retiring 5 to 15 years early, the IP converts that into adjusted career projections and higher contingencies.

Question 50

What does Whole Person Impairment mean from the surgeon's perspective?

Accepted Answer

The surgeon determines the percentage of permanent physical impairment to the body. A WPI of 30% or above signals serious functional impact — the person will have difficulty returning to their previous work without significant adjustments.

Question 51

How does the surgeon determine if injuries will get worse over time?

Accepted Answer

Through clinical examination and imaging. The surgeon assesses degeneration risk — for example, whether a knee injury is likely to require a joint replacement in 10 years. These future complications are factored into the IP's career projections.

Question 52

If a surgeon recommends a future joint replacement, how does that affect the claim?

Accepted Answer

Periods of unemployment during recovery and the risk of poor surgical outcomes are reflected through adjusted work participation and higher contingencies. If the surgeon specifies an expected period off work, the actuary can model exact years of lost earnings.

Question 53

Why are multiple medical experts needed in one case?

Accepted Answer

Because different experts evaluate different aspects. The surgeon handles the physical diagnosis, the OT assesses functional capacity, the IP determines career impact, the clinical psychologist evaluates emotional trauma, and the actuary converts it all into a financial calculation.

Question 54

Can the surgeon's report be used for medical negligence matters?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In medical negligence cases, the orthopaedic surgeon assesses whether the treatment received met acceptable standards and whether the resulting injuries were preventable.

Question 55

What if the claimant's injuries seem minor but cause chronic pain?

Accepted Answer

Even injuries that appear physically minor can have significant long-term consequences if they cause chronic pain. The surgeon documents the pain levels and degeneration risk, which the IP and clinical psychologist then use to justify higher contingencies.

Question 56

How does the surgeon's report interact with the OT's findings?

Accepted Answer

The surgeon identifies the injury and its limitations. The OT then translates those into functional workplace terms — can the person sit for 8 hours, lift 10kg, climb stairs? Together they paint the full picture of how the injury affects daily work capacity.

Question 57

What is the significance of a "serious" injury classification?

Accepted Answer

A serious injury classification on the RAF4 form is the gateway to claiming future loss of earnings. Without it, the claimant may only be entitled to general damages — which are typically far lower than a loss of earnings claim.

Question 58

How soon after an accident should the orthopaedic assessment happen?

Accepted Answer

Not too early. Assessing too soon may result in inaccurate assumptions about prognosis and long-term impairment. The surgeon needs enough time to determine whether the injuries are permanent and how they'll progress over time.

Question 59

Does LCG's orthopaedic surgeon have court experience?

Accepted Answer

Yes. LCG prioritises surgeons with a strong court track record, credible report writing, and experience under cross-examination. The report needs to hold up in front of a judge, not just on paper.

Question 60

What documents do I need to provide to get started?

Accepted Answer

At minimum, we need the claimant's identity document, proof of earnings (payslips or bank statements), and any available medical records or RAF documentation. The more you provide upfront, the stronger and faster the reports.

Question 61

When is a neurosurgeon's report required?

Accepted Answer

Whenever there's a head injury, brain trauma, or spinal injury. The neurosurgeon assesses the extent and permanency of neurological damage — memory loss, cognitive impairment, seizures, and chronic headaches.

Question 62

How do brain injuries affect someone's ability to work?

Accepted Answer

Neurological injuries can affect concentration, memory, coordination, emotional regulation, and fatigue. Someone might look physically fine but be unable to focus, retain information, or handle workplace pressure — all of which reduce their earning capacity.

Question 63

Can brain injuries change a person's personality?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Brain injuries can alter mood, impulse control, emotional regulation, and social functioning. These changes are often just as disabling as the physical injuries and are critical in determining long-term employability.

Question 64

What types of injuries does a neurosurgeon evaluate?

Accepted Answer

Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, cognitive impairment, chronic headaches, seizures, and neurological deficits that affect daily life and the ability to work.

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