ABSTRACT
Substance abuse and addiction issues may present in a variety of medico-legal contexts. Examples in the civil law include personal injury and wrongful death actions alleging negligent prescribing practices or use of a manufactured product, malpractice allegations of physician impairment due to substance use, state medical board actions, denial of life-insurance benets, termination of parental rights, child custody, employment, and disability. Examples in criminal law include diversion treatment as an alternative to incarceration and mitigation of mental state for specic intent crimes (i.e., premeditated murder).
