Analysis of Medico legal Cases Reported at a Medical College in Maharashtra

Abstract

introduction: Medico-legal cases are very crucial from a legal point of view. Lots of controversies and conflicts are associated with such types of cases so there was a need to analyze these cases. To fulfill this objective present study was conducted. Objectives: To analyze medico-legal cases referred to the hospital of ACPM Medical College, Dhule, Maharashtra. Methodology: A retrospective study was done by assessing the MLC cases referred to A.C.P.M. Medical College during the period from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021. Observations: In the year 2021 total 341 MLC cases were reported to the hospital of ACPM medical college. Out of these males were 276 (80.93%) & females were 65 (19.06%). Most commonly involved age group was 21-30 years (n= 108, 31.67%). Most commonly affected people were Hindu (n=303, 88.85%) which was followed by Buddhist (n=21, 6.15%). Maximum incidences occurred in rural regions (n=266, 78%). Road traffic accidents (n=205, 60.11%) comprised of the most of medico-legal cases, followed by fall (n=42, 12.31%) and assault (n=30, 8.79%). A maximum number of cases were noted in month of July (n=42, 12.31%) followed by October (n=40, 11.73%). When seasonal variation was considered, maximum incidences occurred during winter months of October to January (40.76%, n=139). Total 241 MLC cases (70.67%) were treated on OPD basis. Majority of MLC cases (n=269, 78.88%) were discharged after complete recovery. conclusion: It was observed that the majority of medico-legal cases were due to road traffic accidents. So the burden of these cases can be reduced by minimizing road traffic accidents. In view of this, appropriate measures are required. Casualty Medical Officers should be trained to handle such MLC cases and consult with the Department of Forensic Medicine for appropriate documentation of these cases.