title: Estimating present and future damages following child maltreatment.
abstract: The child psychiatric forensic evaluation of children and adolescents who are plaintiffs in civil lawsuits regarding their present and future damages from child maltreatment requires knowledge of current research findings on the short-term and long-term consequences of child maltreatment, evidence-based treatments for psychological trauma, and relevant professional guidelines, along with knowledge of the ethics and laws governing mental health expert practice and testimony in personal injury litigation. This article reviews current research and recommends an approach to these evaluations and expert testimony that is informed by current research findings, recently developed professional guidelines, and many years of professional experience.
authors.affiliation: Pediatrics' Child Protection and Family Health Division, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA. david.corwin@imail.org
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Corwin
authors.forename: Brooks R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Keeshin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D032721:Adult Children / Q000523:psychology*; D001497:Battered Child Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology*; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000523:psychology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D028642:Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*