Criminal aspects of medical errors

Mladen Milošević; Božidar Banović

doi:10.51738/Kpolisa2022.19.1r.3mb

Authors

Mladen Milošević University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8978-3475
Božidar Banović University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9291-7091

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51738/Kpolisa2022.19.1r.3mb

Keywords:

doctor, forensic expertise, medic, medical treatment, unnecessary surgery

Abstract

In this paper, we focus on the importance and role of criminal law in sanctioning medical errors. Bearing in mind that criminal acts are the result of irresponsible, inappropriate or insufficiently careful behaviour of medical staff during the treatment, there are difficulties in proving them in criminal proceedings. Due to the complex causality and sensitiveness of this problem, there is a need for a detailed analysis of the relevant provisions of the Serbian Criminal Code. In this regard, our goal is a comprehensive review and assessment of the quality and efficiency of current legislative solutions. The court practice in the matter was also the subject of the analyses, so we tried to identify points of disagreement in the court’s interpretation of legal provisions. Subjective elements of the legal definition of the basic form of the offence are particularly examined. We concluded the paper with recommendations for the improvement of legal solutions de lege ferenda.

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