Medicolegal information for the young traumatologist: better safe than sorry

Abstract

Because every orthopaedic traumatologist will interact with the legal system during their career--either as a treating physician of a patient involved in legal action, an expert witness, or as a defendant in a lawsuit--a basic understanding of the legal process is paramount to successfully serve in these roles. Common truths and misperceptions about medicolegal risk, expectations of care and documentation in the trauma setting, and information about being deposed and giving expert testimony will be discussed.