A Referral Guide for Attorneys: Psychological Evaluation in Personal Injury and Medical-Negligence Matters

Dr. Colleen Long provides independent psychological and neuropsychological evaluation, focused record review, and attorney consultation in personal-injury and civil-litigation matters. The guide below covers appropriate referrals, conflict screening, the records that speed a matter along, and how the evaluation process works.

Appropriate Referrals

  • Psychological and neuropsychological questions in catastrophic-injury, medical-negligence, TBI, chronic-pain, and functional-damages matters

  • Focused record review, diagnostic clarification, testing when indicated, and consultation about what the evidence does and does not support

Conflict Screening

  • Before records are sent: names of the parties, counsel, insurers, and proposed examinee, plus the venue and requested role

  • Please do not send medical records or case details by ordinary email before conflict clearance

Records Needed

  • A neutral referral letter with the exact question and role

  • Complete relevant medical and mental-health records, prior evaluations/testing, discovery materials, and pertinent educational or employment records

  • Imaging and specialty records when the referral question makes them relevant

Evaluation Process

  • Role and scope confirmed in writing

  • Independent review and objective testing selected for the referral question

  • Response-validity methods used when indicated

  • Opinions tied to the available data, with alternative explanations and limitations stated clearly

To screen a matter, send only the basic conflict-check names and requested role. Scope is confirmed in writing before any protected records are transmitted. Reach Dr. Long at 310-779-8061 or talkdoc126@gmail.com, or learn more about her medical-legal practice here.

Colleen Long