Project Updates

It is a long-term goal of Liga lawyers to deal with serious lapses on the part of medical staff. In cooperation with MDAC, Liga lawyers represent a client who was transported – after an accidental overdose – to a sobering-up station in Brno last year. Although the paramedics who took Mr. L. to the station stated in the transport report that he was calm, the doctors at the station tied Mr. L. onto a bed. The ties Mr. L. had on his ankles, neck and wrists caused him severe burns and injuries. The injuries to his wrists were so serious that Mr. L. had to undergo a two-week rehabilitation. He lodged a complaint against the doctors.

In the course of the investigation it was proved that Mr. L.’s injuries occurred as a result of negligence by the medical staff and the doctor. But all the same, the lapse of duty under Section 223 of the Criminal Code - suspicion of a crime of bodily harm - was deferred. Considering that the decision was confirmed by the Public Prosecutor as well, Liga and MDAC are preparing a constitutional complaint in favor of Mr. L. Unfortunately, the Constitutional Court usually refuses to deal with similar cases (e.g. unlawful sterilizations). The lawyers, therefore, have to instantly appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. A civil action for compensation for inflicted injury will most probably be brought as well.

Liga also points out that there is no Act regulating the use of restraining means in the health services, although it is an interference with the basic civil rights. This constitutional deficiency should be repaired by passing a new Act on Health Services.