Leges Privatae
Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): AUGUST-JOY

Civil Liability in Medical Malpractice Cases in Private Hospitals

Henny Saida Flora (FH Universitas Katolik Santo Thomas)



Article Info

Publish Date
19 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study examines civil liability in medical malpractice cases in private hospitals in Indonesia, which still face legal uncertainty due to the difference in the basis of claims between unlawful acts and breach of contract, as well as the limited application of the vicarious liability principle. This study uses a normative juridical method with a statutory, conceptual, and case-based approach, utilizing secondary data from legal literature, regulations, and court decisions related to medical malpractice. The results show that the application of vicarious liability in private hospitals is often hampered by the partnership-based working relationship between doctors, allowing hospitals to avoid direct liability. Furthermore, disharmony between the Civil Code, the Health Law, the Hospital Law, and the Consumer Protection Law creates evidentiary obstacles and jurisprudential inconsistencies. The discussion underscores the need for regulatory harmonization, national guidelines for proving medical malpractice, and affirmation of the direct liability of private hospitals to strengthen patient legal protection. In conclusion, increasing legal certainty and patient protection requires regulatory reform and consistent application of the civil liability principle, which is also expected to encourage improved quality of healthcare services in private hospitals.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

JOY

Publisher

Subject

Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice

Description

This journal publishes original articles on current issues and international trends in the field of civil law, notary public, business law. The purpose of publishing this Journal is to provide a space to publish critical thinking on original research results, as well as conceptual ideas from ...