Health Care Liability and Damage Compensation: An Analysis of the Judgment of the Court of Cassation, Section III, No. 5641/2018

The ruling of the Court of Cassation No. 5641 of 2018 offers an important opportunity for reflection on the issues of professional liability in the health sector and the assessment of non-economic damages. This case involved the Villa Mafalda Clinic and highlighted the complexities related to diagnostic errors and their consequences on patients and their families. Let us analyze the key points of the decision and its implications for Italian jurisprudence.

The Context of the Judgment

The case originated from a request for damages by the relatives of a patient who died due to a diagnostic error that delayed the diagnosis of a pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The Court of Appeal of Rome initially partially accepted the claims, but the Court of Cassation reformed this decision, highlighting an error in the interpretation of the causal link between the actions of the doctors and the patient's death.

Principles of Liability and Damage Assessment

The Court clarified that, in the case of health care liability, one cannot presume a loss of chance if a direct causal link between the error and the death is not proven.

The Court established that the doctors' liability could not be attributed to the patient's death, but only to the delay in diagnosis, which could have influenced the quality of life before death. Consequently, the assessment of damages was reformed, with a particular focus on biological damage and non-economic damage due to the loss of familial relationship.

Final Considerations

  • Importance of a timely and accurate diagnosis to avoid irreparable harm.
  • Clarity in the causal link for the attribution of liability.
  • Equitable assessment of non-economic damages and the pain suffered by relatives.

This ruling represents a significant step towards defining health care liability in Italy and protecting the rights of patients and their families. Jurisprudence continues to evolve, increasingly emphasizing the need for correct diagnoses and the responsibility of health professionals.

Conclusions

The ruling of the Court of Cassation No. 5641/2018 offers fundamental insights for civil law, particularly regarding health care liability. It underscores the importance of a correct interpretation of the causal link and the necessity of fairly compensating non-economic damages. In a context where patient health must be a priority, this decision marks a step forward in the protection of citizens' rights.

Bianucci Law Firm