When we think of medico legal experts, we may envision a gavel banging on a desk and silver haired judges glaring over their spectacles. However, this is only sometimes the case.
Solicitors or barristers appoint Medico legal experts to conduct medical evaluations in court cases. This is vital in cases involving personal injury.
QUALIFICATIONS
Medico legal expert work with solicitors on medical matters, including clinical negligence cases and the preparation of liability and causation reports. They can be employed full-time or part-time and need extensive clinical experience to assess a patient’s condition and its impact on their daily lives.
These professionals must also communicate clearly and concisely in court, as they are expected to give objective observations. While doctors may have opinions that resonate with their personal experiences, they must remain impartial and unbiased when writing a medicolegal report.
Choosing a qualified and experienced medico legal expert can ensure the best results for your case. At Lex Medicus, our team of skilled and credible specialists can assist with any legal matter that requires a medical evaluation. Our dedicated specialists will conduct a thorough and impartial medical examination, helping to maximise your chances of a successful legal outcome.
EXPERIENCE
Medico legal experts are involved in a wide range of cases, including personal injury claims, medical negligence cases, and Insurance claims. They prepare expert reports and can provide advice on the appropriate level of compensation for a particular injury. A good Medico-legal professional will be familiar with the Medico-legal process and can demystify complex procedures understandably.
Medico-legal specialists are also required to assess the impact of an injury on a person’s ability to work and function, helping to quantify damages. They conduct impartial medical evaluations and are free from vested interests or preconceived ideas.
Medico legal professionals are often required to give evidence in court, so they need to have a strong knowledge of medical procedures and be able to articulate their findings clearly and concisely. They also need to be able to communicate with individuals who may not have a clinical background. They should be able to work within strict deadlines and remain calm under pressure.
CONFIDENTIALITY
A medico legal expert provides specialized legal assistance for individuals who have suffered injuries or lost loved ones due to wrongful accidents or deaths. Typically, these experts offer services in various areas, such as personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, and medical malpractice.
Maintaining confidentiality is a crucial aspect of this type of work. It involves keeping private information about a client or patient confidential, even after they have received the expert’s services. This also includes not sharing information with third parties without the client’s consent.
This can pose a challenge for some medico legal professionals, mainly when dealing with patients who don’t want their family members to know about their diagnosis or treatment. Other potential ethical issues include reporting gunshot wounds to the police and determining capacity and consent for lifesaving procedures such as abortion or contraception in underage patients. It’s vital to keep up-to-date with legal requirements and NHS guidance on confidentiality and ensure that all staff understand the importance of this principle.
REPORT WRITING
Medico legal experts often work with solicitors to draft detailed medico legal reports for clinical negligence or personal injury cases. The quality of these reports can be essential to the success of a client’s case.
A good medico legal expert should be able to write clearly and concisely, avoiding the use of medical jargon. They should also be able to provide explanations of the reasoning behind their clinical judgments. This helps to insulate their report against cross-examination by defense lawyers.
CONCLUSION:
Lastly, an excellent medico legal expert should understand the different procedural requirements for producing a report in a civil court. This includes adhering to the procedural guidelines in Part 35 of the Civil Procedure Rules. Ideally, they should also read the guidance for experts issued by the Civil Justice Council 2014, available here. This will help them produce a report that is compliant with the Civil Procedure Rules and the rules of evidence.
medical legal report 