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Public Health Law Map - Beta 5 - Medical and Public Health Law Site

Public Health Law Map - Beta 5 - Medical and Public Health Law Site

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action, upsetting a person by<br />

threatening to do something in the<br />

future is intentional infliction of<br />

mental distress rather than assault.<br />

Assignment The transfer of rights or property to<br />

another. This is commonly done by<br />

physicians when assigning their<br />

delinquent accounts to a collection<br />

agency.<br />

Assumption of Duty The process of agreeing to accept<br />

legal obligations. A physician has the<br />

legal right in most circumstances to<br />

drive by a roadside accident without<br />

stopping to render aid. A physician<br />

who does stop to render aid assumes<br />

certain obligations to care for the<br />

patient in a professional manner.<br />

Assumption of Risk An important legal doctrine whereby<br />

a person agrees to accept the<br />

consequences of certain behavior.<br />

Assumption of risk is effective only<br />

if the person makes a free, uncoerced<br />

choice <strong>and</strong> underst<strong>and</strong>s the risk being<br />

assumed. Informed consent is the<br />

assumption of the risks of the<br />

medical treatment that the patient<br />

agrees to undergo.<br />

Attestation Signing a written statement that a<br />

document is correct or that you have<br />

witnessed the document being<br />

signed. The witnesses to a living will<br />

may attest that the patient making the<br />

will was of sound mind <strong>and</strong> made the<br />

will of his or her own volition.<br />

Award The amount of money a court orders<br />

a party in a legal proceeding to pay.<br />

Battery An unconsented, harmful, or<br />

offensive touching. A patient who is<br />

restrained without permission, or<br />

properly documented medical<br />

indications, could bring an action for<br />

battery. A patient who is sexually<br />

701

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