Medicolegal

Index:

1. What does the term medicolegal mean?

2. Legal medicine

3. Medical law

4. What is clinical negligence?

5. My expertise

 

 

What does the term medicolegal mean?

The term medicolegal refers to the branch of law that governs proper medical practices.

The medicine and law are separate and should not be confused together. Although some legal cases can involve both, for instance, if a doctor is called as an expert witness for a malpractice case against another healthcare provider or injury claims.

 

Legal medicine

There are many potential cases where medical and scientific expertise may be important in law. Examples can range from personal injury to criminal proceedings. A doctor may be called to produce evidence about the case or appear in court as an expert witness.

As an expert witness, the doctor may use their scientific knowledge and expertise to give the court insight into the available evidence, which may prove valuable in ascertaining the truth about the events of the case.

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Medical law

Medical law sets out the proper code of conduct, the responsibilities of healthcare providers and the rights of patients. If a healthcare provider is suspected of having committed medical malpractice and caused unnecessary harm to a patient, they risk legal action from said patient. Criminal law also applies to the medical world to ensure that healthcare provides do not engage in criminal activity in their practice.

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What is clinical negligence?

Clinical negligence, also known as medical negligence is when a patient is injured as a result of negligent medical treatment. In such cases, patients can seek compensation for this. Examples of clinical negligence may be:

• if a patient is diagnosed incorrectly

• if they are given the wrong medication for an inappropriate length of time

• if a mistake was made during a medical procedure

• if a patient is not informed correctly of the risks of a certain treatment

• if a patient didn't give their informed consent prior to treatment

Clinical negligence must be proven, with certain criteria that must be met and displayed in order for a compensation claim to be made.

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My expertise as an expert witness

• Medical negligence 

• Personal Injury claims

• Court attendance