What is a doctor's liability for medical malpractice?

What the Law Says

A doctor’s liability for medical malpractice in Germany arises primarily from two civil code provisions: one governing contractual breaches (e.g., treatment agreements), and another covering general tortious harm. Both require proof of fault — either negligence or intent — and a causal link between the error and the patient’s injury.

Under BGB § 280, a doctor who breaches a duty arising from the treatment contract — such as failing to meet the standard of care expected of a competent physician — must compensate the patient for resulting harm, unless the breach was unavoidable (i.e., not attributable to the doctor). This applies to all contractual relationships, including private and statutory health insurance-based care.

BGB § 823(1) provides an independent tort basis: anyone who intentionally or negligently violates another’s life, body, health, freedom, property, or other rights must pay damages. Medical treatment falls squarely within this scope — harming a patient’s health through substandard care triggers liability if the doctor acted negligently.

Importantly, German law does not impose strict liability on doctors. Liability always depends on proving fault (Verschulden), meaning the plaintiff must show the doctor deviated from accepted medical standards — and that this deviation caused the injury.

Statutory Text

Verletzt der Schuldner eine Pflicht aus dem Schuldverhältnis, so kann der Gläubiger Ersatz des hierdurch entstehenden Schadens verlangen. Dies gilt nicht, wenn der Schuldner die Pflichtverletzung nicht zu vertreten hat.

— BGB § 280 — Damages for breach of duty

Statutory Text

Wer vorsätzlich oder fahrlässig das Leben, den Körper, die Gesundheit, die Freiheit, das Eigentum oder ein sonstiges Recht eines anderen widerrechtlich verletzt, ist dem anderen zum Ersatz des daraus entstehenden Schadens verpflichtet.

— BGB § 823(1) — Duty to compensate for tortious acts

What Courts Have Said

German courts have clarified how liability works in practice — especially regarding evidence and causation — with landmark rulings shaping the burden of proof in medical malpractice cases.

What to Do

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