[The anaesthetist's liability and bullfights].
Whether you are an aficionado or completely uninitiated, everyone has an opinion on bull-fighting. The bull-fighter is in constant risk of injury. A medical team made up of surgeons, anesthetists, emergency physicians and nurses remains present throughout the show. For the anaesthetist and surgeon, a wounded bullfighter is an emergency because the vital and functional prognosis are engaged. The team must act in conformity with normal practice and the Code of Medical Ethics because any lack of coordination between the practitioners is punishable by law in the same way as technical fault. Several specific aspects of this type of medical procedure should be highlighted: firstly, the legal restrictions within the corrida, and secondly, the nature of the medical team, which may be comprised of doctors normally based within a public health institution and others who practice in a private health establishment. The particularity of the situation reveals differences in the system of liability, and civil liability must be distinguished from administrative liability: both of these allow the victim to obtain compensation for harm caused, but the consequences of each are different according to doctor status. The fact that the anaesthetists frequently work on a voluntary and benevolent basis does not exonerate them from liability. Lastly, a question frequently addressed is whether or not the doctor is covered by his professional insurance when he is on ringside duty.
Franchitto
N
N
Département d'anesthésie et de réanimation, CHU de Toulouse, université Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse cedex 09, France. franchitto@club-internet.fr <franchitto@club-internet.fr>
Gavarri
L
L
Zavaleta
I
I
Telmon
N
N
Rougé
D
D
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D000776:Anesthesiology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000818:Animals; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D002417:Cattle; D004630:Emergencies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007351:Insurance, Liability / Q000145:classification / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D010502:Perineum / Q000293:injuries; D017150:Public Sector / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012952:Societies / Q000458:organization & administration; D013177:Sports / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D014838:Volunteers / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D014951:Wounds, Stab / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy