title: Basics of elder law and legal liabilities of negligence and malpractice for physicians as they apply to individuals with disabilities.
abstract: This article provides information regarding the issues that physicians face when dealing with elderly patients with cognitive deficits. It includes a discussion of basic legal terms and concepts that medical personnel should understand, various difficulties encountered by patients and families in crisis situations, and how the legal system deals with these issues. It concludes with a general discussion of the legal liabilities of negligence and malpractice.
authors.affiliation: New York State Bar Association, Section on Trustees & Estates, 1 Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207, USA. UllmanEsq@aol.com
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ullman
authors.forename: Michael E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Zuller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016223:Advance Directives / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000368:Aged; D003072:Cognition Disorders; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007872:Legal Guardians; D016365:Liability, Legal; D016224:Living Wills / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D010819:Physician's Role; D019727:Proxy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014481:United States