[Liability risk of operations. Unavoidable complication or avoidable treatment error?].

BACKGROUND

An increase in medical liability court processes can be observed.

OBJECTIVES

This article examines the differentiation between avoidable treatment errors and unavoidable complications, which is the basis of liability.

METHODS

In this article the jurisprudence and legal foundations are assessed.

RESULTS AND

CONCLUSION

Definition of the medical standard (lege artis) is necessary in each individual case in order to establish whether this was adhered to in the treatment. In various constellations there is an alleviation of the burden of proof in favor of the patient so that the physician must disprove the accusations of medical malpractice. This necessitates a meticulous documentation.