Arzthaftung

There has been an international tightening of medical malpractice law. In the USA, high liability risks have already led to forms of a 'defensive medicine' and to a 'medical malpractice crisis.' New Zealand and some Scandinavian countries have decided to replace liability for medical malpractice with insurance coverage for patients who suffered damage. In this work, Christian Katzenmeier takes a look at the German law pertaining to liability for medical malpractice and deals with the laws of other countries as well. He underlines the significance of the principle of fault for doctors willing to take risks but also wanting to practice their profession freely and conscientiously in the 21st century.