An injury, lasting impairment or death may raise medical questions central to a legal case. Carlos Cuadrado Gómez-Serranillos works as a medico-legal expert in Madrid, reviewing case material and preparing independent expert opinions for instructions throughout Spain.
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Each assessment starts by identifying the medical issue to be addressed and the information needed to examine it. Relevant history, the course of events and the available findings inform the scope of the work and reveal whether further records or an examination may be required.
The report explains the medical reasoning in accessible language, identifies the material considered and records any remaining uncertainty. Instructions may include reviewing another expert's opinion and attending court to explain the findings. This is independent private expert work for legal purposes and does not provide clinical care.
Assessment of documented injuries, recovery and lasting effects, considering the reported mechanism and functional consequences to address the specific medical issues raised by the material available in the individual case.
Assessment of functional limitations, their development and their impact on everyday life or work in matters involving incapacity and disability. The assessment is tailored to the legal question and the available medical records.
Review of recorded care, clinical decisions and the alleged harm to examine their possible relationship and identify the medical questions that require explanation within the circumstances of the particular case.
Review of post-mortem records and investigations relating to a death. A second autopsy may be considered where appropriate, depending on the question to be addressed, the available information and the circumstances of the case.
Assessment of another report's foundations, source material and reasoning, explaining areas of agreement, disagreement and uncertainty that are relevant to the medical question set out in the agreed expert instruction.
The required records depend on the specific question. Relevant clinical history, progress reports, investigation results and case papers are often useful. An initial review identifies missing material and helps keep the information collected focused on the purpose of the assessment.
The work is undertaken for an expert opinion: to examine a medical issue and communicate findings for the agreed case. Medical treatment and clinical follow-up are outside this service. Any proposed examination is explained and arranged within the defined assessment.
Court attendance can be included in the instruction and specified in the written proposal. It allows the expert to explain the report and answer questions about the records, methods and findings. Arrangements depend on the proceedings and the court's directions.