As part of your personal injury claim, your solicitor or insurance company may ask you to have a medical examination. The aim of the examination is to unearth the following details:

• The cause of the medical condition or injury

• The kind of medical condition or injury that you have

• If your condition resulted from accident or work conditions

• If work or an accident has worsened some underlying conditions

The assessment is intended to be an honest and independent analysis of your injury. Also, it’s required to be the most impartial.

When Medico Legal Assessments are Necessary

So, when should you opt for medico-legal assessments? This is a common question among people who are hearing the medico-legal assessment phrase for the first time. As a guide, here are top situations to consider opting for this type of assessment:

Evidence in civil case

A medico-legal assessment is necessary when there is a need to use a psychiatric report as part of the evidence in a civil case. A good example is regarding compensation after a traumatic occurrence like an accident, or work-related stress. This assessment may be needed to establish a relationship between the patient’s psychological condition and the trauma. Alternatively, it might be needed for the purposes of determining the degree of psychological harm as well as the compensation amount to be awarded.

Child safety

Another instant when medico-legal assessments may be required is for child safety and protection services. With the help of a child’s medico-legal assessment, information regarding the psychological consequences of neglect or abuse on a child can be provided. A child psychiatrist will conduct an assessment regarding parenting capacity, and in so doing take into consideration both the mental states of the parents and the child. This is crucial information that could become handy to child protective services in deciding whether or not a child should be put in alternative care arrangements, for instance, foster care.

To fulfill a court’s order

In most cases, courts can ask that this assessment be conducted and be used for evidentiary purposes in medico-legal matters. Thus, the court will get objective opinions on matters about educational psychology and childcare.

Conclusion

There are some cases that will necessitate you to have a medico-legal assessment report. Whether it is as a result of a court’s request to go for examination or for the purposes of child safety and protection, it is important that you always observe the highest levels of honesty. Note that everything uttered by you can find its way into the report of the doctor and into the case. It’s therefore advisable to stick to facts all the time.