Neglect
Neglect Neglect is a complex issue that is often not straightforward from either a medical or legal perspective. When concerns arise regarding a child’s health and growth, a comprehensive review of medical records by a…
Assault and Great Bodily Injury
Assault and Great Bodily Injury In assault and attempted murder cases, a central responsibility is evaluating injury severity to determine whether it meets the legal thresholds for Great Bodily Injury (GBI) or Significant Bodily Injury…
Diabetes in DUI Cases
Diabetes in DUI Cases A quick review of Diabetes Statistically, approximately 10% of adults are diagnosed with diabetes (Deborah J. Wexler, 2026). Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by impaired carbohydrate metabolism, resulting in…
Can someone consent after a head injury?
Can someone consent after a head injury? A mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI), often referred to as a concussion, can be caused by a variety of impact (Randolph W Evans, 2024). We often see this condition…
Shock in Criminal Cases
In April, I covered delirium and noted that there are many underlying etiologies that can cause it. One such etiology is hypoperfusion. When the blood flow is cut off to the vital organs, the body…
Two Black Eyes But He Swears He Didn’t Hit Her {Assault/Trauma}
Two Black Eyes, also known as Raccoon’s eyes, is a sign of a skull fracture and does not necessarily indicate blunt force trauma to the face. Because this type of skull fracture is often missed…
Was the Defendant Drunk or Concussed? {DUI/Gen Med}
Was the Defendant Drunk or Concussed? If a person who is charged with a DUI and has a concussion, a review of the medical records by an expert can determine if the defendant has either:…
What Constitutes GBI? {Assault/Trauma}
I am often called to testify in assault cases in which great bodily injury is an enhancement. In these cases I try to determine the severity of the injury based off of the medical records…
Medical Records Review: Emergency Dept.
When performing a medical records review, if you’re looking for a list of injuries, as you commonly are in criminal law, you will look at the emergency department (ED or ER) reports and/or the ambulance…
Burns: Complications
We have reviewed medical records from clients with burn injuries that have more than twenty diagnoses documented. This is because of the numerous complications associated with severe burns. The skin is the largest organ of…
Burns: Long Term Treatment
The client with severe burns will be hospitalized for weeks or months. Burn wounds often require painful dressing changes, surgery and grafting. Preservation of function and prevention of complications are the priorities of care. A…
Burns: Initial Treatment
It is important to obtain and review medical records from the ambulance crew and emergency department in burn cases. The first responders will obtain information about the details of the fire, injuries and medical history.…
