title: [Lawsuits against physicians in Chile].
abstract: Lawsuits against are becoming relevant in Chile. We analyzed 18 trials against physicians that occurred between 1977 and 1985 and that were ruled by Metropolitan Region courts. The causes of demands were death of patients in 8 trials and severe lesions in the rest. Twelve trials originated from surgical procedures (six from gynecological interventions), and nine came from private clinics. Nine trials lasted less than two years and three, more than 5 years. Sentence was pronounced by criminal courts in 12 cases and by appealing courts in six.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Legal, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Teke
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Navarro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cerda
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lagos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lecaros
mesh_terms: D002677:Chile; D003416:Criminal Law; D003643:Death; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009774:Obstetrics; D010820:Physicians / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011331:Private Practice; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology