Cough Syncope and Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents: Two Australian Cases.

Abstract

Cough syncope is an uncommon but well-recognised medical condition diagnosed primarily on the history provided by the sufferer. In situations where the sufferer is in control of a motor vehicle, syncope can lead to accidents involving death and injury. In the medico-legal setting, cough syncope can be a contested cause of such accidents. Here we report two recent Australian cases which illustrate the issues involved for legal and medical practitioners.