ABSTRACT

The most frequent neuropsychological referral is for assessment of the potential cognitive and emotional consequences of head trauma (Rabin, Barr, & Burton, 2005). The injury scenario typically involves a motor vehicle accident, fall, or blow to the head with a blunt object (Levin, Benton, & Grossman, 1982). The majority of such injuries are mild (Sosin, Sniezek, & Thurman, 1996). Their neuropsychological consequences may become the subject of civil litigation in the context of personal injury, disability insurance, or worker’s compensation claims. Appropriate examination involves review of medical records, neuropsychological testing, and a clinical interview regardless of the mechanism of trauma, severity of head injury, or type of subsequent civil litigation. The case described here therefore typifies a neuropsychological case that would be seen in the context of civil litigation, although this case was selected to illustrate the examination process more clearly than the modal referral might, particularly pertaining to the question of malingering.