title: Legal developments in healthcare.
abstract: Two recent judgments by the Supreme Court of Canada limit the liability of doctors and hospitals. One decision confirmed that the contract between a physician and patient is primarily for provision of a service, not the sale of goods. The other held that the manufacturer of a highly technical product is responsible for informing the ultimate consumer of its product's risks. It is a risk physicians may not be able to assume on the manufacturer's behalf.
authors.affiliation: Bull, Housser & Tupper, Vancouver.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Holubitsky
mesh_terms: D018427:Breast Implants; D002170:Canada; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D017743:Equipment Reuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D007882:Legislation, Hospital; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011640:Public Policy