Medico-legal advice

Members who need medico-legal advice should contact the Association as soon as possible. In our experience, issues are easier to resolve when members call us early. Contact a medical officer by phone, 1 800 267-6522, or submit the Medico-legal assistance/web mail form online.

The CMPA determines the extent of its member assistance on a case-by-case basis. The Association publishes principles – listed by topic on the right menu bar on this page – to help members understand the circumstances under which they may be eligible for assistance.

Members can contact the CMPA for advice on a broad range of medico-legal issues arising from their professional work in Canada. They receive the benefit of advice from people who understand their situation—experienced medical officers who are physicians with clinical practice backgrounds in various practices and specialties. These medical officers are available to provide advice and, when warranted, arrange further legal assistance for matters arising from a member’s professional work, including the following:

• Civil legal actions
• Regulatory authority (College) complaints, investigations and disciplinary hearings
• Coroners’ inquests or other fatality inquiries
• Billing audits or inquiries
• Hospital privilege matters
• Criminal proceedings
• Some general contract and research contract matters
• Privacy legislation breaches and privacy complaints
• Human rights complaints