title: [Legal aspects of medical expert testimony and non-economic damage in civil liability of physician].
abstract: In the establishment of civil liability of physicians for damage caused, it is extremely important to establish all relevant facts for the court to render the appropriate verdict. One of the crucial instruments in the establishment of a presumed civil liability of physicians as well as in the establishment of the criteria for the assessment of a proper award, is the medical expert testimony--utilised as an essential proof. The comprehension of medical and legal professionals' replies to questions which every profession must answer in order to provide an objective access to the claim and a right and full establishment of the factual situation, is the imperative for a correct application of the law in the handling and settling of these claims, especially in the light of the new set up of the concept of non-economic damage. The medical and legal profession shall help placing the problems of civil liability of physicians into real frameworks, preventing any attempts of unnecessary stigmatization of medical profession and cases of unjustified and unfounded indemnification, and it shall objectively and professionally, based on the law, enable a full and absolute protection of patients and third parties and their rights to physical and mental health.
authors.affiliation: Hrvatski ured za osiguranje, Zagreb. hrvoje.paukovic@huo.hr
authors.forename: Hrvoje
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pauković
mesh_terms: D017523:Croatia; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence