Medico-legal specialists are doctors who provide medical reports in connection with legal action. They may also attend court as witnesses. Since this work is done by specialists, it commands a fee.
How much a medico-legal professional charges depends on the type of witness work the specialist is doing and the type of case that he or she is working on. There are three types of medico-legal witness works: ordinary, professional and expert, and three types of medico-legal cases: criminal, civic, and insolvency cases. Depending on the type of work being done, fees are paid by solicitors in cases that relate to legal aid. Before looking into the cost of medico legal specialists in detail, let’s first understand the role of these professionals.
The Specialist’s Role in Medical-Legal Work
When complicated medical-related legal issues arise, specialists are often asked to provide expert opinions. Medico-legal professionals as well as primary care doctors are often valued for this kind of work. In particular, professionals who have worked in the consultative capacity in the medical legal field are always good resources for evidence.
The main work of specialists involves examining the medical reports and writing well-annotated reports that are specific to the case being handled with the possibility that the specialists testify during the trial. A core part of the work involves identifying the deviations from the norms and understanding the medical benchmarks. Medico-legal professionals may also appear in conferences and give presentations alongside other medical and legal professionals.
The cost of medico-legal specialists
• Health practitioners called to provide evidence other than expert evidence is around $467.
• Health practitioners called to give expert evidence can charge up to $1245.
• Traveling allowance for the specialist in connection with appearance as a witness can be up to $600.
• Meals and accommodation in connection with appearance as a witness is a reasonable cost.
• A report made by a specialist is around $1245 when a re-examination is not required and $1660 when a re-examination is required.
• Report written by a specialist who has not previously treated the patient is $1245 when an examination is not required and $1666 when an examination is required.
• Night allowance is approximately $21.
• The attendance overnight allowance is around $65.
Well, that’s all about the cost of medico legal specialists in most cities globally. Remember, the overall cost always depends on the kind of work done and the type of case that the specialist is working on.
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