ABSTRACT
The physician performing a neuropsychiatric examination of a traumatically brain-injured patient who is involved in litigation must clearly understand the differences between an examination for treatment or clinical use and an examination for forensic purposes.1 In the first instance, a clinical psychiatrist or other physician is unconcerned about issues of causation, potential malingering, damages, or other legal constructs that may have importance in the forensic medical examination. The clinical psychiatrist should first be focused upon an accurate assessment of his or her patient and provide the most comprehensive assessment possible to determine the cognitive and behavioral impact of a traumatic brain injury. This level of clinical attention will provide to the patient an optimal setting for developing a treatment plan and for providing therapeutic and psychopharmacologic assistance.
