Medical Damage Compensation System in German Courts

What is “medical damage”? It refers to any harm caused by a documented medical error, such as:

• Misdiagnosis (Fehldiagnose)

• Unnecessary or faulty surgery

• Neglect in post-operative monitoring

• Wrong medication prescription leading to complications

• Failure to explain risks (mangelhafte Aufklärung)

When can you file a lawsuit? You can file a compensation claim (Schadensersatzklage) if:

• You suffered physical or psychological harm due to a proven medical error

• You have evidence (expert report, medical file)

• No amicable settlement was reached with the doctor or insurer

Which court is competent?

• Civil court (Zivilgericht)

• No difference between statutory (GKV) or private (PKV) insurance

• In case of death, family members may also file a claim

Stages of the case:

1. Evidence collection: Independent medical report, patient file, bills, work certificates

2. Filing the lawsuit: Through a lawyer specialized in medical law

3. Court expert report: Neutral expert checks for error and causality

4. Judgment or settlement: Compensation if error proven, often amicable settlement

Possible claims:

• Schmerzensgeld: Compensation for physical/psychological pain (€1,000–500,000)

• Loss of earnings (Verdienstausfall): Compensation for income loss

• Treatment costs (Heilbehandlungskosten): Additional medical expenses

• Care costs (Pflegekosten): Long-term care expenses

• Household help (Haushaltshilfe): Domestic assistance

• Funeral costs (Beerdigungskosten): In case of death, usually covered by doctor’s insurance

Legal deadlines:

• Standard: 3 years from knowledge of damage

• Maximum: 10 years from the error, even without knowledge

Important German terms:

• Arzthaftung → Doctor’s liability

• Schmerzensgeld → Pain compensation

• Schadensersatz → Damage compensation

• Patientenakte → Patient file

• Gutachten → Expert report

• Zivilklage → Civil lawsuit

• Behandlungsfehler → Treatment error

• Kausalität → Causality

Practical advice: Do not file alone. Consult a medical law lawyer first (initial consultation often free or low-cost). Secure full patient file.