Psychiatric malpractice due to ignorance: Reports of cases of psychiatric treatment and traumatic neurosis handled by the doctor's liability board in which damages have been claimed

Abstract

During the last 15 years, the Finnish insurance companies' doctor's liability board has handled six cases in which damages were claimed for psychiatric treatment or traumatic neuroses. Reports of these cases, grouped according to basis of indemnification, are given above. The board considered two of the claims unjustified and four justified. The party liable for damages was, in every case, the hospital. In Finland, claims for damages lodged with hospitals and doctors have not been very common. This is partly due to Finnish legislation. Claims for damages arising from psychiatric treatment are rare. In Finland, the party primarily responsible for injury to a patient is the employer (e.g. a hospital) and only secondly an employee. In practice, it is rare for a doctor to be required to pay damages for malpractice or neglect.