Medicolegal aspects of neurotology.

In their professional capacity, physicians interact with the legal profession in a variety of ways. The interaction occurs most often in the situation where an individual suffering from a bodily injury seeks the recovery of monetary benefits through the legal system. This article reviews the manner in which physicians are contacted by attorneys in connection with workers' compensation cases and civil tort cases. It will also set forth various definitions of disability and contrast those definitions with the concept of impairment as that term is used in the medical profession. Suggestions for patient evaluation and a summary of the legal basis for the recovery of benefits are also presented.