Writing a medico-legal report

Question 1

Sources requesting medico-legal reports

Answer 1

• Patient
• Solicitor
• Insurer
• Statutory authority (Workcover)
• Employer
• Police
• Court

Question 2

Am I obliged to provide a treating doctor medico-legal report?

Answer 2

• Obligation to assist by providing factual information concerning a patient’s condition or injury at the patient’s request to the patient’s legal advisers or to patient-nominated third parties.
• No obligation to provide an opinion in report.

Question 3

Things required

Answer 3

• Written, signed request from the patient. Consider to confirm directly with patient that the authority is valid.
• Know the purpose and nature of the report.
• Differentiate facts from opinions