title: [Liability risk of operations. Unavoidable complication or avoidable treatment error?].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  An increase in medical liability court processes can be observed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article examines the differentiation between avoidable treatment errors and unavoidable complications, which is the basis of liability.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this article the jurisprudence and legal foundations are assessed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Definition of the medical standard (lege artis) is necessary in each individual case in order to establish whether this was adhered to in the treatment. In various constellations there is an alleviation of the burden of proof in favor of the patient so that the physician must disprove the accusations of medical malpractice. This necessitates a meticulous documentation.
authors.affiliation: Wienke & Becker, Sachsenring 6, 50677, Köln, Deutschland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sailer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wienke
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005104:Expert Testimony / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D005858:Germany; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors