MEDICAL-LEGAL FRAMING OF POST-CONCUSSIONAL SYNDROME (PCS) IN THE ITALIAN PENAL LAW AND CIVIL LIABILITY, SOCIAL AND PRIVATE INSURANCE FIELDS

M. Sammicheli, M. Scaglione

Abstract: The authors, both medical specialists in legal medicine, discuss about the medical framing of post- concussional traumatic head syndrome (PCS) in forensic medical evaluations, from both penal and civil liabilities as well as in Italian social insurance and private insurance. The authors describe a case that has come to their attention and discuss the difficulties of both clinical and medical-legal classification of PCS. They analyse possible diagnostic methods and instruments which can support the diagnosis and take into account possible differential diagnoses or clinical simulations. Finally, they evaluate the medical-legal framework of PCS in the fields of Italian civil liability and penal law as well as Italian social and private insurance.
Keywords: Post-concussional head syndrome, PCS, Italian legislation, social security, civil incapacity benefits, private insurance.