Cancer not recognized Doctor has to pay

Malpractice: A doctor has not recognized a terminal colorectal cancer of a patient and has now been sentenced to 70,000 euros in compensation and maintenance for this widower.

(23.06.2010) An unrecognized deadly disease of a patient can cost doctors dearly. Because a doctor diagnosed a deadly colon cancer too late, the district court Göttingen condemned them to 70,000 euro pain compensation as well as to a monthly maintenance payment of 650 euro to the bereaved husband of the deceased patient. The doctor had not met her medical care.

In the specific case, the judges assume that the patient can be treated with a timely and correct diagnosis still promising. The patient would have been saved by the correct diagnosis. The patient went to the doctor's office with severe abdominal pain. The doctor then prescribed psychotherapy. After one month, the 35-year-old patient was again present in the practice. Then the doctor prescribed medications for ulcers and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Once again later, the doctor prescribed sauerkraut juice for constipation and an anti-spasmodic medication without an examination. Only after five months of the initial presentation in the art practice was finally diagnosed with the colorectal cancer. However, it was too late for a promising treatment. The patient died a little later from the consequences of the disease.

A medical malpractice, represents a violation of the doctor or dentist against "the rules of medical art" and can be prosecuted in Germany. Doctors are committed to medical care. If this formality is not filled out and the physician can be shown to be in due diligence, a doctor can be held liable. However, it is difficult for most sufferers to prove the malpractice of the doctor. For most stakeholders, a long lawsuit begins in the courts with a variety of opinions created. (Sb)