Are alcoholics really at fault for their crimes?
In April, I covered delirium and noted that there are many underlying etiologies that can cause it. One such etiology is Wernicke encephalopathy. What is encephalopathy? Encephalopathy is a general term describing any disease of the brain that alters the function or structure of the brain. There are many types of encephalopathy and causes. The […]
What a criminal attorney needs to know about brain injuries.
In April, I covered delirium and noted that there are many underlying etiologies that can cause it. One of those underlying causes is brain injuries, or intracranial processes such as stroke, tumor or traumatic injury. Symptoms of certain intracranial processes are not always immediately apparent or obvious to the person being affected or even their […]
Can One Punch Kill? {Assault/Trauma}
A review of medications and medical history can play a critical role in any case with traumatic injuries.
Can someone consent after a head injury? {Mental Health/Toxicology}
Many times, a police officer will interview a defendant after a fight or a car wreck where the person being interviewed has suffered head trauma. What the police officer may not understand is that even mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) can affect a person’s ability to comprehend the questions being asked and the ramifications of […]
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 on radiology studies, a medical expert is needed to review the records and determine the cause of the bruising. […]
Bruises and Bones – When is it child abuse?
Child abuse cases are emotionally driven for everyone involved. Expert review for both sides is imperative to ensure that the facts of the case are brought to light. The healthcare providers are emotionally connected to the patient and this may affect their ability to remain unbiased. A forensic expert can review of the discovery and […]
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 and photographs. For this month’s newsletter, I’d like to point out some ways to avoid pitfalls in GBI cases by using […]
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 the body. Damage to the skin from a burn affects multiple body systems and it is impossible to identify every […]
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 multidisciplinary team will care for the burn patient. The team may consist of nursing staff who provide twenty four hour […]
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. This information is needed for management of the injuries. Demographic data such as height, weight and age are important. The […]
