How to reduce medicolegal involvement in cases of trauma.
The lessons learned from 52 medicolegal cases related to trauma are discussed. The role of informed consent is usually indirect. Surprise complications result in anger, and anger may provoke a suit. The emergency situation may be responsible for an incomplete examination, absence of a plan of management, or need to work with inexperienced personnel. An emergency does not preclude the need for prolonged followup in some situations. The availability of numerous devices has complicated the medicolegal problems. Recent relevant court decisions are discussed.
D004630:Emergencies; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008318:Malpractice; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000592:standards*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000150:complications; D012806:Siderosis / Q000150:complications