What is medico-legal employability assessment?
Medico-legal employability assessment refers to the evaluation of the employment potential of individuals who have sustained disabilities as a result of an accident, negligence or other legal culpability of a second party. A legal claim for compensation ensues, which subsequently requires a medico-legal evaluation to provide courts with an estimation of the likely economic loss of individuals due to changes in employability potential. From a vocational perspective, such assessments typically involve an in-depth interview and psychometric assessment with a subsequent report being written for insurance and legal purposes.
Why do medico-legal employability assessments matter?
Through accidents and misadventure, individuals may suffer major pain, distress, loss of function and a variety of other forms of suffering in addition to the rigours of treatment and rehabilitation. In addition, their capacity to earn a living may also be jeopardised, which can have long-term financial and personal disadvantages for such individuals. A just society should acknowledge such suffering and disadvantage and seek to redress them with compassion and with equity. Medico-legal employability assessment is an integral part of that endeavour to assist individuals achieve something like a just outcome in such circumstances.
