title: Chappel v Hart: the High Court considers causation of damage from a surgeon's negligent failure to warn.
abstract: In Chappel v Hart, the High Court upheld the decision of the Supreme Court of New South Wales that a surgeon was liable for failing to warn a patient of a previously unreported complication of a procedure. The patient, if properly warned, would have had the operation at another time, probably with a more experienced surgeon. The decision has important implications for doctors when advising patients of the risks of surgery.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D017007:Duty to Warn / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D061224:Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries; D012307:Risk Factors; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D016672:Zenker Diverticulum / Q000601:surgery