[Medico-legal assessment in civil lawsuit concerning patients with neurological disorders].

INTRODUCTION

The objective of medico-legal assessment in civil lawsuit involves the assessment of health impairment due to a cause under dispute, evaluation of percentage health impairment, assessment of relationship between the cause and the impairment. The objective of the paper was the analysis of medicolegal opinions ordered by civil departments of courts in Poland involving patients with neurological disorders.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The examination criteria included age, sex, type of accident, type of injury and symptoms reported, causative relationship and ability to work. The study comprised 36 civil opinions issued by the Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Białystok in the years 2001-2003.

RESULTS

State of consciousness was assessed at the moment of making important decisions or signing important documents, ability to work, causative relationship between the accident and symptoms reported. Moreover, suitability of treatment was evaluated. No significant differences regarding sex were found between plaintiffs. Occupationally active persons were predominantly subject to injuries. The most common symptoms reported were headache, vertigos and aching pain in the L-S spine.

CONCLUSION

No therapeutic incorrectness was found in cases under analysis. In 7/12 cases health impairment was assessed. In 75% of the opinions no cause-effect relationship was concluded between current disorders and accident at work.