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Analysis of the Judgment Cass. Civ., Ord. n. 21415 of 2024: Medical Liability and Loss of Chance

The judgment n. 21415 of the Court of Cassation, pronounced on July 30, 2024, represents an important chapter in the debate on medical liability and the assessment of damages. In this article, we will explore the details of the decision, the legal principles applied, and the implications for patients and their relatives.

Context and Course of the Trial

The case at hand concerns the appeal of the Local Health Authority n. 2 Lanciano Chieti Vasto against a ruling by the Court of Appeal of L'Aquila. The facts date back to a diagnostic error regarding an oncological condition that resulted in a delay in treatment for patient A.A., causing dramatic consequences, including the loss of chances of survival.

The Court had recognized a loss of chance damage, assessing different types of damage, including moral damage. However, the Court of Appeal modified the decision, prompting the appeal to the Court of Cassation which questioned the methods of calculating damages and the underlying reasons for the ruling.

Legal Principles and Detected Errors

The Court highlighted that the damage from loss of chance must be distinguished from that of premature death, with specific implications for compensability.

The Court of Cassation accepted the grounds for the appeal, emphasizing the necessity to distinguish between the damage from loss of chance of survival and the damage from premature death. It emerged that confusion between these two concepts can lead to an incorrect assessment of damages.

  • The damage from loss of chance must be assessed based on probability criteria.
  • The damage from premature death is not transmissible iure successionis.
  • The assessment of damage must be supported by concrete evidence and clear reasoning.

In particular, the Court criticized the Court of Appeal for not adequately justifying the percentage of loss of chance and for confusing the different categories of damage, thus resulting in a violation of the principles of clarity and specificity required by the civil procedure code.

Conclusions

The judgment n. 21415 of 2024 represents an important clarification regarding medical liability. It underscores the importance of a correct interpretation and application of the principles of compensability, particularly with reference to the distinction between damage from loss of chance and damage from premature death. This decision not only provides valuable insight for legal professionals but also for patients and their families, who need to be aware of their rights and the possibilities for compensation in the event of medical errors.