Chappel v Hart: the High Court considers causation of damage from a surgeon's negligent failure to warn.

Med J Aust · 2000

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Abstract

In Chappel v Hart, the High Court upheld the decision of the Supreme Court of New South Wales that a surgeon was liable for failing to warn a patient of a previously unreported complication of a procedure. The patient, if properly warned, would have had the operation at another time, probably with a more experienced surgeon. The decision has important implications for doctors when advising patients of the risks of surgery.