Consequences of surgical interventions as a subject of legal and forensic medical assessment (a case-control study)

Introduction. Contemporary medical care delivery, particularly in surgical fields, is characterized by a high level of disputability, leading to an increase in litigation between patients, physicians, and healthcare institutions. An analysis of criminal and civil cases reveals that expert errors are frequently made, which impedes the establishment of the factual circumstances of a given case.
Objective. Based on the analysis of existing forensic medical practice (drawing on materials from criminal and civil cases), to identify systemic gaps in the legal regulation of medical activities and to propose pathways for overcoming them through an integrated medico-criminalistic approach.
Materials and methods. The study employed methods of systems analysis, synthesis of judicial practice, formal-legal analysis, as well as methods of traceology and forensic medicine to assess the mechanisms of injury formation.
Results. It has been established that attempts to resolve medical disputes primarily through the criminal law framework are ineffective due to court overload and the absence of detailed legal regulation. Insufficient utilization of specialized criminalistic knowledge (notably traceology) in the conduct of forensic medical examinations has been identified. The significance of examining traces left by surgical instruments and suture materials for objectifying causal relationships is substantiated.
Conclusion. The proposals presented in this study are aimed at legislative improvement of the legal frameworks for protecting the rights of patients, medical workers, and medical insurance. The final proposition is that effective resolution of medical torts is impossible without a reorientation of judicial practice toward pre-trial settlement mechanisms. Staffing expert activities with qualified interdisciplinary specialists will contribute to the effective establishment of the factual circumstances of a case.

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