Doctors carry out medico legal assessments to provide an expert medical opinion on the cause and nature of a person’s injuries. This information can then be used in legal proceedings to help establish liability for any injuries that have occurred. A medico-legal assessment aims to provide an objective, impartial and scientific evaluation of the evidence. The doctor will consider all the available information, including medical records, witness statements, and photographs. They will then provide their expert opinion on what caused the injury and how it occurred.
What Are the Roles of a Doctor in a Medico Legal Assessment?
There are several roles that a doctor may play in a medico-legal assessment:
Expert Witness: In some cases, the doctor may be asked to provide evidence as an expert witness. They will give their professional opinion on the cause of the injury and how it occurred. This evidence can be used in legal proceedings to help establish liability.
The doctor may be asked to provide evidence as an expert witness in some cases. They will give their professional opinion on the cause of the injury and how it occurred. This evidence can be used in legal proceedings to help establish liability. Medical Reviewer: The doctor may also be asked to review medical records and overview the injuries sustained. This can help establish the medical cause of the injury and how it occurred.
It is important to contact a solicitor if you are involved in any type of personal injury, criminal, or insurance claim. The cause of an injury will need to be assessed by a doctor. The lawyer may ask you to obtain a medico-legal report helping them resolve the case as quickly and efficiently as possible.
What Types of Medico Legal Assessments Are There?
There are several types of medico-legal assessments:
Forensic Medical Examinations: These examinations occur after an accident has occurred and can also be a secondary examination. They usually involve conducting a full medical exam looking at all aspects of your health, including your cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological systems. A forensic medical examiner may also take photographs of any injuries or markings present on the body.
Independent Medical Assessments (IMA): An Independent Medical Assessment is where you see a doctor who does not work for either party involved in the claim to provide an impartial review of your injuries and their impact on daily life. Both parties then use this report to help resolve the case with an independent assessment of your injuries and how they have been affected. Independent Medical Assessments are usually carried out by a doctor with extensive experience in medical, legal cases and usually uses their own standardized form to record the findings and set out their professional opinion.
