The term ‘medico legal’ has many meanings and can be used in a variety of legal and medical procedures. Although the actual proceedings are best left to lawyers, doctors and forensic specialists, it’s important to inform the public about this important part of medical ethics. Here’s an overview of the fields of medico legal work.

Medico legal can refer to either medical jurisprudence, the branch of medicine that comes in touch with the law, or medical law, the part of law that regulates the practice of medicine.

Forensics

One part of the medico legal field is forensic medicine. Forensic medicine relates to any medical expertise used to solve crimes. The best-known branch of forensic medicine is forensic pathology, which determines the cause of death. Forensic doctors work alongside the police to help them solve crimes and are divided by specialties like practicing doctors.

Although forensics is an interesting field, it only affects people who commit or are victims of a crime.

Ethics

Doctors are bound by a strong code of ethics that regulate their actions and attitudes towards patient. The famous “do no harm” is part of that code of ethics, but it embraces a lot of other issues.

Rights of individuals related to medicine

One aspect of the medico legal field is the rights of individuals when some part of their life is determined by a medical assessment. It can be involved in cases of mental competency during a trial or when making medical decisions. It’s also part of the system that determines the fitness of an individual for driving a car, an airplane or to do certain jobs.

Injury assessment

This is one of the best-known areas of the medico legal field. In cases of workplace injury, accidents or abuse to minors or incompetent individuals, a medico legal assessment may be required to pursue judicial procedures.

Medical law

Medical law is distinct from medical jurisprudence. Medical jurisprudence is usually the responsibility of doctors while medical law is determined by lawyers, judges and the justice system in general.

Medical law determines the rights and responsibilities of practicing doctors. Its three main branches are confidentiality, negligence and torts (or malpractice). Criminal law may also be involved in some cases of medical negligence or malpractice.

Confidentiality laws regulate how much and when information can be divulged to a third party. Every patient should know the extent and limit of confidentiality law when seeing a doctor or a therapist.

Tort (or negligence) law is invoked in cases of carelessness. Tort law isn’t valid in a case where the harm was intentional—that’s better left to criminal law. Negligence is a grey area and medico legal expertise is necessary in such cases.

As you can see, the word ‘medico legal’ is related to quite a few fields of medicine and law. When you request an independent medical opinion, you are investing in medico legal procedures. Whether you need it for a work injury or for medical negligence, it’s important to at least know the different aspects of medico legal work.