Medical expert opinion on treatment mistakes

Conciliation boards are advisory commissions of the medical societies. They deal with clarification of extrajudicial patient claims based on factual o r putative treatment mistakes. In perhaps 90% of the cases, an extrajudicia l solution is possible, whereby the federal average for recognition is 30%. Within the framework of this study, first the legal basis for the liability of doctors is explained, especially the importance of patient information and consent as well as the responsibility for documentation. The material o f the conciliation board of the medical society of Saxony consists of 1375 medical expert opinions rendered between 1 January 1992 and 23 September 20 00, of which 165 cases were due to orthopedic treatment. The most common he alth injuries resulting in compensation claims are described.