Malpractice and medical liability

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Medical responsibility lawsuits are now a common aspect of every physician's practice, leading to an increase in defensive medicine, where unnecessary tests are ordered and complex cases are avoided. The practice of medicine has become more complicated due to factors like new technologies, diminished physician autonomy, and economic pressures. Malpractice remains a significant issue affecting both physicians and the healthcare system. In the latter half of the 20th century, public attitudes toward the medical profession shifted dramatically, fueled by awareness of medical advancements and media coverage of health issues. This has led to heightened expectations for perfect outcomes and the latest techniques. The surge in technology and specialization has turned each malpractice claim into a complex scientific challenge, requiring thorough analysis and judgment of clinical cases. Legal medicine's role in this context has become increasingly complex, often resulting in misinterpretations and rushed scientific conclusions, with a lack of global guidelines for evaluation methodology. This volume aims to clarify the necessary steps for a detailed analysis of medical actions and their consequences, assessing whether errors or breaches of conduct by healthcare personnel occurred, and identifying the causal links to any alleged misconduct.