Dommage juvénile : vers un nouveau préjudice ?

Abstract

In this article, after recalling the clinical aspects of psychic trauma, we discuss its main psychological consequences in children and adolescents. We will then describe the role of the expert: it is necessary to classify the damage according to the Dintilhac nomenclature and to evaluate them according to the reference scale of the “ConcoursMédical”. We will also detail the expertise methodology, during the overall assessment of the consequences of the traumatic event. However, the current evaluation procedure according to this nomenclature of psychic damage secondary to trauma in children and adolescents has many shortcomings and limitations. The medical assessment needs to be global and cannot be limited to the description of the symptoms; it is necessary to take into account, in the traumatized child, the evolution of his psychic development. It therefore seems important to us to introduce the juvenile damage into a new nomenclature more adapted to the child, with the possibility to better assess the level and forms of assistance from which the young child could benefit, and with a later reassessment of sequel damage.