[Neurologic-psychiatric expert assessment in 1989 to 1991 social law]

With 100 Social Court proceedings instituted in Germany (according to the territory of 1989), there could be shown the law-suits not being based on substantial arguments in two thirds and, therefore not having chances of success in foro. Among medical expert testimonies concerning with psychiatric matters female plaintiffs predominated; in contrast, neurologic testimonies were predominantly requested for males. The proportion of foreigners amounted to 5-15% depending from the matter on which testimony was requested. Mean age of the plaintiffs was approximately 50 years, they had been retired from business life on an average of 3 years before. Two thirds of the plaintiffs briefed an attorney or a representation of interests for instituting legal proceedings; the latter did not result in charges to the plaintiffs. Medical examinations to elaborate the testimony included tests employing technical measures such as neuroimaging in about one third of the cases. Relating to the latter, there is an increasing tendency obviously.