Need medical care? Seek prompt advice from a qualified clinician for new, severe or worsening symptoms. A legal enquiry should not delay treatment.
What this guide covers
There is no reliable standard payout for a medical malpractice claim in Turkey. The legal basis, proven harm, causal connection, records and case-specific evidence determine what may be claimed and assessed.
A medical complication and legal responsibility are different questions. The assessment depends on the clinical history, information given before treatment, standard of care, causation and actual loss.
Start with liability and causation
Before calculating an amount, a lawyer must identify the provider’s obligations and the route of the claim. Medical evidence then addresses what happened, whether the care or consent process fell short, and whether that conduct caused the specific harm. A complication that can occur despite appropriate care is not automatically compensable.
- The operative and anaesthetic records, consent documents and follow-up notes establish the clinical sequence.
- Independent specialist findings may explain the diagnosis, prognosis and possible causes.
- Booking documents and receipts identify the parties and the services purchased.
Material loss: what can be documented?
Turkish Code of Obligations Article 54 identifies categories of loss following bodily injury, including treatment costs, loss of earnings and diminished working capacity. Whether a particular item is recoverable depends on the legal ground and evidence. A revision quote is useful but is not the same as a paid expense or an established need.
- Keep invoices and payment proof for treatment, medication, travel needed for care and any revision.
- Document missed work with employer records, accounts or tax documents and clinical evidence of incapacity.
- Separate prior conditions and unrelated spending from costs caused by the alleged harm.
Non-pecuniary harm is case specific
Article 56 allows a judge to award an appropriate amount for bodily injury after considering the circumstances. It is not calculated by a fixed multiplier or price list. The nature and duration of harm, medical evidence and individual circumstances matter; a lawyer should avoid promising a figure at the outset.
- Describe functional effects and duration accurately, supported where possible by treatment notes.
- Keep records of psychological care if it was sought; do not assume distress alone establishes a particular award.
Expert reports, settlement and net recovery
Expert evidence can be central to standard of care, causation, future treatment and impairment, but a report is evaluated in the wider case. A settlement offer should be compared with documented losses, litigation risk, fees, expenses and enforceability. Any currency conversion or interest question depends on the claim and applicable law.
Prepare a concise claim file
Collect records in chronological order and seek deadline advice promptly. If your concern follows a particular operation, start with our rhinoplasty, liposuction, or breast reduction guides. The figures in another patient’s case cannot predict your result.
Patient rights and legal review in Turkey
The Turkish Patient Rights Regulation addresses information, consent and access to records. The exact claim route and deadlines depend on the provider relationship and the facts. An independent medical assessment may be needed before a lawyer can advise whether treatment or aftercare fell below the applicable standard. See the Patient Rights Regulation (Ministry of Justice).
A claim assessment needs proof of each loss and its connection to the alleged wrong. Use our case-costs guide to consider fees, expenses and the difference between an award and net recovery.
Medical and legal sources
Turkish Court of Cassation on Article 56. This General Assembly decision (E. 2024/41, K. 2025/523) discusses Article 56 in a traffic-accident dispute. It supports general non-pecuniary damages principles, rather than determining medical fault or the value of a medical claim.
Turkish Patient Rights Regulation. This guide is general information, not a medical diagnosis or legal opinion. Sending an enquiry does not create an attorney-client relationship.