What is Medico-Legal Assessments?
Medico-legal assessments are required when medical / psychological knowledge is sought to answer legal questions. Assessments of clients are usually on request of an attorney or third party to ensure that all legal elements of issues are considered. Assessments and reports are frequently included as expert evidence in a range of cases. Medico-legal assessments are an intersection between psychology and the justice system. It involves understanding aspects of law in order to be able to provide important information to judges, attorneys and other legal professionals.
These assessments include the assessment of cognitive, emotional and behavioural consequences of acquired brain injury in adults and in children following motor vehicle and pedestrian road traffic accidents as well as other injuries due to motor vehicle and pedestrian road traffic accidents. Family members/spouse can also claim from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) if the breadwinner of the house has passed away in an accident or has succumb severe injuries that prohibits him/her from working, to be able to further support the dependants.
Evaluations are useful in medico-legal cases where attorneys need valid and reliable information about a client’s cognitive, executive and emotional functioning for purposes of third party claims.
Who needs these assessments?
- Individuals wanting to claim from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) after being involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA).
- Assessments are used to determine the cognitive, emotional and bahvioural losses that the individual has occurred as a direct result of an accident.
Who acts on behalf of the individual?
- Attorneys specializing in RAF claims and cases.
- The attorneys appoint other professionals to assist with the assessment i.e. Orthopaedic Surgeon, Neurosurgeon, Occupational Therapist, Clinical Psychologist and an Industrial Psychologist. Each of these individuals determines the severity and the consequence of the accident and the impact of the injuries sustained by the individual.
Role of Industrial Psychologist
- Establishes pre-injury and post-injury career scenarios to determine loss of income and/or earning capacity.
- In depth collateral investigations and research to produce accurate, detailed and substantiated reports.
- Gain knowledge from other expert reports in order to establish relevant scenarios as a consequence of the accident and the sequelae thereof.
Medico-Legal Service offered:
- RAF (Road Accident Fund) Claims
- Motor vehicle accident (MVA) Claim Assessments
- Loss of support cases
- Medical-negligence reports
Medico-legal Reports
Els Industrial Psychology Inc. offers diagnostic assessments to determine the extent of injuries. Arrangements for medico-legal reports will be normally processed on the day the instruction letter is received and appointments will be offered within one to two weeks. Should no further consultation be necessary, the report will be issued as soon as all relevant documentation from various experts have been received and thoroughly examined to determine the financial and physical losses of the said client.
When necessary, urgent appointments may be arranged with immediate reporting requirements. Urgent appointments usually offered at the first available time or after hours and reports are issued within 48 hours of the assessment. Please note that immediate reports carry additional fees.
Contact person
Bianca Els
Industrial Psychologist
PS 0133035
Tel: 082 210 3754
Email: bianca@elsindustrialpsychology.co.za
Practice details:
Practice nr: 0663409
Address: 12 Herman Street
Lephalale
0555