Dr Fanning is an experienced medicolegal physician with specialist qualifications in independent medical assessment. He holds a Certificate in Permanent Impairment - AMA 5 (CertPI) and a Certificate in Independent Medical Examination (CertIME), in addition to his Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine. He accepts medicolegal referrals from solicitors, insurers, case managers and self-insurers throughout Australia.
Services Offered
Independent Medical Examinations (IME)
Formal independent examinations of claimants with respiratory or sleep-related conditions. Respiratory or Sleep Laboratory investigations can be coducted if required - these will be performed in the fully NATA accredited facilities of Respirologist, South Brisbane. Reports address diagnosis, causation, current functional capacity, treatment requirements, and prognosis. Conducted in a professional clinical setting at Mater Medical Centre, South Brisbane or via an audiovisual link if preferred by the referring lawyer.
Medicolegal Reports & Expert Opinions
Written expert opinions on matters including diagnosis, causation, whole person impairment, permanency, work capacity, and standard of care. Reports are prepared in accordance with applicable guidelines (AMA5, AMA4, GEPI).
Expert Witness & Court Testimony
Dr Fanning is available to provide expert evidence in medicolegal proceedings, including Workcover, Dust Diseases Tribunal, District Court, and Supreme Court matters. Reports comply with the relevant expert witness codes of conduct and uniform evidence requirements.
File Reviews & Desktop Opinions
Review of medical records, investigation results and treating specialist reports without physical examination of the claimant. Suitable for second opinions, liability assessments, claims analysis, or matters where an examination has already been conducted.
Areas of Medicolegal Expertise
Dr Fanning accepts medicolegal work in all areas of respiratory and sleep medicine, including:
Occupational & Environmental Lung Disease
- Occupational asthma and work-aggravated asthma
- Dust-related lung disease (silicosis, coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, berylliosis)
- Asbestos-related disease (asbestosis, mesothelioma, pleural plaques, pleural effusion)
- Occupational bronchitis and COPD
- Chemical and fume-induced lung injury
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
General Respiratory Conditions
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — causation and impairment
- Asthma — diagnosis, causation, aggravation, current severity
- Interstitial lung disease / pulmonary fibrosis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Respiratory impairment assessment and lung function interpretation
- Post-COVID respiratory sequelae
Sleep Medicine
- Obstructive sleep apnoea — diagnosis, causation, work capacity, fitness to drive
- Excessive daytime sleepiness and its occupational implications
- Overlap syndrome (sleep apnoea and COPD)
- Sleep-related respiratory failure
Qualifications & Accreditation
| Credential | Detail |
|---|---|
| FRACP | Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians — Respiratory & Sleep Medicine |
| CertPI | Certificate in Personal Injury Medicine — ANZCA / RACGP |
| CertIME | Certificate in Independent Medical Examination — ANZCA / RACGP |
| ACIME | Member, Australasian College of Independent Medical Examiners |
| MBBS | Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery — The University of Queensland |
Jurisdictions & Schemes Accepted
Dr Fanning accepts medicolegal referrals under:
- WorkCover Queensland — statutory and common law matters
- CTP / Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) — Queensland personal injury
- Comcare — Commonwealth workers’ compensation
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) — MRCA and VEA matters
- Life & income protection insurance — insurer IMEs and file reviews
- Personal injury / common law — plaintiff and defendant instructions
How to Engage
Email or fax a brief outline of the matter including the claimant's name, date of injury/incident, the questions you require answered, and any relevant records to be reviewed.
Our rooms will contact you with available appointment times and a fee estimate. Confirmation of the fee schedule is provided before any appointment is confirmed.
For IMEs, the claimant attends Mater Medical Centre, South Brisbane. File reviews are conducted remotely on receipt of the brief.
Reports are typically provided within 10–15 business days of examination (or receipt of complete brief for file reviews). Expedited turnaround is available on request.
Contact for Medicolegal Enquiries
293 Vulture Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101