Medical Malpractice – Medicolegal Perspectives: Negligence, Causation

  • M. Flynn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Perhaps, the key element in any medical malpractice lawsuit is the issue of causation. The burden on the plaintiff/patient is to prove his/her case by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant/healthcare provider is both cause in fact and proximate cause of the injury claimed. This chapter details not only deals with the basic requirements for proof of causation but delves into the particularly difficult causation questions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Subtitle of host publicationVolume 1-4, Third Edition
PublisherElsevier
PagesV3:520-V3:525
Volume3
ISBN (Electronic)9780443214424
ISBN (Print)9780443214417
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Social Sciences

Keywords

  • Andrews
  • Cardozo
  • Causation
  • Cause in fact
  • Foreseeability
  • Legal cause
  • Malpractice
  • Medical negligence
  • Preponderance of evidence
  • Proximate cause
  • ‘But for’ test
  • ‘Increase the risk’ test

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