Children's outcomes in road traffic accidents: challenges for personal injury assessment

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2023

Authors

Cunha Diniz, F (Author) Other; Taveira Gomes, T (Author) Other; Teixeira, JM (Author) Other; Teresa Magalhães (Author) FMUP

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: FORENSIC SCIENCES RESEARCH

Vol. 8

Pages: 219-229

ISSN: 2096-1790

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus - 1 Citation

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00Z-E04

DOI: 10.1093/fsr/owad034

Abstract (EN): Children represent a specific group of road traffic accident (RTA) victims. Performing a personal injury assessment (PIA) on a child presents a significant challenge, especially when assessing permanent disabilities and needs. However, medico-legal recommendations for PIA in such cases are lacking. The main objective of this study was to analyse the differences between children and a young- and middle-aged adult population of RTA victims to contribute to the development of relevant guidelines. Secondary objectives were to identify and characterize specifics of children's posttraumatic damages regarding: (i) temporary and permanent outcomes; and (ii) medico-legal damage parameters in the Portuguese context. We performed a retrospective study of RTA victims by comparing two groups (n = 114 each) matched for acute injury severity (SD = 0.01): G1 (children) and G2 (young- and middle-aged adults). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios. G1 presented a greater chance of evolving without or with less severe body, functional and situational outcomes (three-dimensional assessment methodology), and with lower permanent functional disability values than G2. Our findings suggest that childhood trauma generally has a better prognosis than trauma in young- and middle-aged adults. This study generated evidence on the subject and highlighted the most significant difficulties encountered by medico-legal experts when performing PIA in children.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11