1. Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD)

Whiplash injuries are the most common injuries that usually occur as a result of rear-end motor vehicle collisions. What needs to be documented in such injuries? As a medical-legal expert, your report must include every symptom, from muscle stiffness and neck pain to headache, dizziness, and neurological symptoms. Also consider the neck disability index (NDI), functional scores, and imaging results to determine causation and distinguish between acute and chronic symptoms, as this is highly crucial for a legal claim.

2. Cervical Facet Joint Injuries

Another common neck injury that may require an assessment report, if it forms part of a claim, is a cervical facet joint injury. In such cases, the report must clearly establish whether the pain is intermittent and positional in nature. However, these injuries can be difficult to quantify, which often necessitates a more thorough clinical assessment and, in some cases, specialised imaging.

3. Cervical Disc Injuries or Nerve Root Compression

Some incidents or accident-related injuries can result in cervical disc herniation or degeneration and nerve root compression, which requires imaging and detailed assessment. A medico-legal report for neck injury must cover MRI findings, correlation with radiculopathy, neurological deficits, numbness, tingling sensation, weakness or reflex changes in detail, backed by imaging reports and neurological exam findings to provide a defensible opinion.

4. Soft Tissue Injuries

Another type of injury included in the medico-legal report for neck injury is soft-tissue injury, which covers damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons. These injuries should be documented along with objective physical findings, functional impairment, and clinical correlation to provide credible, evidence-based support for the diagnosis and help establish a clear link between the injury and the reported symptoms.

5. Neck Fractures

Sudden jerk or high-impact trauma can easily fracture the neck, consequently, the majority of medico-legal reports pertain to cases where the fracture was caused by traffic accidents, falls from height, or contact sports. In the medico-legal report for neck fractures, there must be a detailed account of causation and prognosis, supported by imaging findings from CT scans and MRIs. It should also highlight any neurological involvement and explain, in clear terms, how the injury occurred, what treatment was required, such as immobilisation or surgery, and how it affects day-to-day function in the short and long term.
 

6. Muscle Sprains and Strains

Even if the injury is limited to a painful muscle sprain or strain, it still represents tissue damage and is therefore covered in a medico legal report for a neck injury. To properly assess the extent of this damage, it is important to establish causation, outline the suggested treatment, estimate the expected recovery time, and understand how it is likely to affect the individual in the short term.