A medical-legal or forensic evaluation is a more comprehensive evaluation that addresses additional questions that are not typically the focus of a routine clinical assessment. A clinical evaluation involves the assessment of a client’s strengths and weaknesses with the goal of using one’s cognitive strengths to circumvent their weakness areas. A key goal of a clinical evaluation is to provide an individual with suggestions to improve their daily functioning. The results of such a clinical evaluation are protected via state and federal laws (such as HIPPA) and professional ethics. Therefore, those results can not be released without a clients expressed written permission, except in some certain situations dictated by law.
In a medical-legal evaluation, the referring party, which is typically an attorney, is the party who receives the results of the assessment. The individual being evaluated may or may not have an opportunity to review the results of the assessment. In addition to developing a strengths and weaknesses profile, a medical-legal assessment involves the assessment of a client’s premorbid functioning, in terms of vocational, educational, and daily living achievement and skills. In a comprehensive medical-legal assessment, all sources of available information are reviewed to most accurately characterize an individual’s past and present functioning.
Such a medical-legal assessment includes detailed assessment of an individual’s motivation to perform optimally. Motivational assessment allows a clinician to assess the veracity or legitimacy of an individual’s complaints as well as provide solid documentation of the degree of actual psychological and cognitive injury.
A medical-legal evaluation includes all the components of a clinical evaluation. In addition, the evaluation will include a more thorough review of all available records, including educational, vocational, military, mental health, legal, and medical records. A retainer is required in addition to the assessment fee to cover a review of records and consultation services.
A medical-legal evaluation may be requested by an attorney or adjuster in a worker’s compensation case, personal injury matter, criminal proceedings, or for an educational hearing. Such an assessment is typically not covered under standard medical or health insurance policies.
Once completed, the results of the medical-legal evaluation will be given to the referring party. Additional services, such as report preparation, deposition, trial testimony, or other research or consultative services may be provided.
Consultation or background research may be provided independent of a neuropsychological evaluation. There are, however, limits to the testimony that can be provided absent a face-to-face neuropsychological assessment.
Fees Depend on the Level of Services Required
- Initial Phone Consultation at No Cost
- Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluation includes 6 to 10 hours of testing, test scoring, individual feedback and consultation, and comprehensive report
Comprehensive Report Generated Includes
- A comprehensive list of strengths and weaknesses
- Specific recommendations to circumvent any observed weakness areas
- Key areas to address maladaptive habits
- Information on methods and modalities for optimal learning
- Specific referrals to outside professionals as appropriate