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Medicolegal Issues Relating to “Cause of Action” in Legal Medicine

Vivekanshu Verma, Promod Kohli

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Indian Journal of Legal Medicine 4(2):p 119-133, July -Dec 2025. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijlm.2348.9987.4224.3

How Cite This Article:

Verma V, Kohli P. Medicolegal Issues Relating to “Cause of Action” in Legal Medicine. Indi J of Legal Medi. 2025;6(2):119-33.

Timeline

Received : July 07, 2025         Accepted : October 06, 2025          Published : December 30, 2025

Abstract

Cause of action (CoA) is a foundational legal concept enabling plaintiffs to seek remedies for wrongful acts. Battery and assault, as intentional torts, represent critical CoAs in medicolegal contexts, particularly in cases of patient maltreatment, domestic violence, and institutional abuse. A narrative synthesis of legal literature, landmark case laws, and clinical guidelines was conducted, focusing on precedents from common law jurisdictions. Battery/assault claims require proof of intentional harm or threat without consent, distinct from negligence. Key issues include consent validity in medical settings, psychological trauma documentation, and overlapping criminal-civil proceedings. Landmark cases illustrate evolving standards for healthcare providers and institutions. Battery/assault CoAs are vital for victim redress but face evidentiary hurdles in medicolegal practice. Enhanced interdisciplinary coordination (legal-clinical) is recommended for robust claims adjudication. This review analyzes the medicolegal dimensions of battery/ assault as CoAs, including definitions, required elements, clinical relevance, and associated challenges in proving liability.

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Cite this article

Verma V, Kohli P. Medicolegal Issues Relating to “Cause of Action” in Legal Medicine. Indi J of Legal Medi. 2025;6(2):119-33.

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
July 07, 2025 October 06, 2025 December 30, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijlm.2348.9987.4224.3

Keywords

Cause of actionBatteryAssaultIntentional tortMedicolegalConsentCivil liability

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Timeline

Received July 07, 2025
Accepted October 06, 2025
Published December 30, 2025

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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