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EPL3 Medical Report Form UK: EL/PL Claims Guide

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Part ofUK Court & Tribunal Forms

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you are bringing a low value personal injury claim against an employer or a body with public liability duties, the EPL3 is the standard medical report that captures the clinical picture behind your claim. It sits within the fixed recoverable costs regime for employers' liability (EL) and public liability (PL) claims valued between £1,000 and £25,000, and it is completed by a medical expert after examining the claimant. The report records the injury, how it happened, the treatment received, the effect on work or study, and a view on how the claimant is likely to recover. On this page I explain what the form is for, how it fits into the claims process, and the information the examining doctor will usually gather. I'm Brad Askew, Legal Tech Founder at LegalDocuments.co.uk, and the aim here is to give you a plain-English overview before you speak to someone about your situation.

What this document is

Form EPL3 is the medical report template used by experts preparing a written opinion in low value EL and PL personal injury claims. It is linked to the Pre-Action Protocol that governs these claims and the Civil Procedure Rules framework for fixed costs cases in this value band.

The form gives the medical expert a structured way to set out the claimant's injury, pre-existing health, the treatment they have had, any continuing symptoms, and the likely prognosis. It also asks the expert to comment on causation, which is whether the accident or exposure is the likely cause of the injuries described.

Solicitors, insurers and the court all rely on the EPL3 to understand the medical picture and to assess what the claim is reasonably worth. The report is usually prepared after the claim has been notified through the relevant portal and once an expert has been instructed.

It is a single, standardised document rather than a series of letters, which helps keep these lower value claims moving without unnecessary cost.

How to use this document

  1. Confirm the claim value band and route. Before an EPL3 is commissioned, check that the claim sits within the low value EL or PL range and is progressing through the correct pre-action protocol. The form is designed for claims typically worth between £1,000 and £25,000, and using it outside that route can cause delays or costs arguments later.
  2. Instruct a suitable medical expert. The claimant's solicitor will select a medical expert with the right specialism for the injury, for example orthopaedics for a fracture or occupational medicine for a work exposure. The instruction letter should set out the background facts and ask the expert to complete the EPL3 based on examination and records.
  3. Attend the medical examination. The claimant attends an in-person or remote examination where the expert asks about the accident, symptoms, treatment and impact on daily life. Medical records and photo identification are normally checked at this stage so the report can confirm the claimant's identity and clinical history.
  4. Expert completes and signs the EPL3. The expert works through each section of the form, including claimant details, accident history, treatment, ongoing symptoms, work and education impact, causation and prognosis. The report is then signed with the expert's declaration and sent to the instructing solicitor for onward service.
  5. Use the report to value and settle the claim. Once received, the EPL3 is disclosed to the defendant's insurer and used to negotiate settlement or, if needed, to support court proceedings. If further treatment or a specialist opinion is recommended, a supplementary report may follow before the claim is finalised.

Common questions

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Common questions

Q Who fills in the EPL3 form?
The EPL3 is completed by an independent medical expert instructed to examine the claimant and prepare a report. It is not filled in by the claimant or the solicitor. The expert draws on the examination, the claimant's account of the accident, and any medical records provided, then sets out their clinical findings and opinion in the form.
Q When is an EPL3 used instead of a different medical report?
The EPL3 is the standard medical report template for low value employers' liability and public liability personal injury claims, typically those valued between u00a31,000 and u00a325,000 and running through the relevant pre-action protocol. Road traffic claims use a different form, and higher value or more complex cases usually involve a bespoke expert report rather than this standardised template.
Q Does the claimant need to bring medical records to the examination?
In most cases the instructing solicitor will arrange for relevant GP and hospital records to be sent to the expert in advance, and the form asks the expert to confirm whether records were reviewed. The claimant should bring photo identification and be ready to describe the accident, their symptoms, any treatment received and how the injury has affected work or study.
Q What is a prognosis and why does it matter?
A prognosis is the expert's view on how the injury is likely to progress, including whether the claimant has recovered, when full recovery is expected, or whether symptoms are likely to be permanent. It matters because the value of a personal injury claim is heavily influenced by how long symptoms last and whether there are any lasting effects on work or daily life.
Q Can the claimant challenge the EPL3 report if they disagree with it?
Yes. If the claimant believes the report is incomplete or inaccurate, questions can usually be put to the expert through the solicitor. In some cases a supplementary or further report may be needed. Outside the fixed costs regime there may be scope for a second expert, but within it the rules on recoverable costs and permitted experts are tighter.
Q How does pre-existing injury or illness affect the report?
The EPL3 specifically asks about symptoms in the injured area before the accident. Pre-existing conditions do not automatically defeat a claim, but the expert needs to separate what is attributable to the accident from what existed already. This is important for causation and for valuing only the additional harm caused by the incident.
Q Is the EPL3 the only document needed to settle a claim?
No. The medical report is central, but a claim will also typically involve evidence of financial losses such as lost earnings, travel costs and treatment expenses, plus the underlying claim notification documents. The EPL3 supports the personal injury element of the claim, while the wider file covers liability and the financial impact of the accident.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, speak to an experienced legal adviser who can walk you through it — from £89.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.