Today Türkiye is among the world’s leading countries in medical tourism. Each year tens of thousands of people visit Türkiye for healthcare reasons. Some of these visitors come for medical treatment, while the majority arrive for aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. The principal reasons for Türkiye’s popularity are, first, the quality of healthcare providers in the country and, of course, the fact that healthcare services in Türkiye are offered at very competitive prices compared with other countries. While these services are largely provided without issue, it is of course also a fact that, in some cases, certain patients experience problems and lodge complaints about the services received.
But what happens if, during a medical procedure, whether for aesthetic or therapeutic reasons, the patient is injured due to the negligence of the doctor or healthcare facility? Or if damage arises as a result of medical treatment which the patient must bear? Or you are dissatisfied with the outcome of cosmetic surgery? Can liability be invoked for such damages? Under Turkish law, the answer to this question is “Yes”.
It must of course first be examined whether the medical procedure was performed for aesthetic or therapeutic reasons. Where an incident occurs which can be characterised as a “treatment error” during or in connection with the medical procedure, a compensation claim may be brought against those responsible.
What may be claimed?
- The costs of the faulty medical procedures performed
- The costs of a planned or already-performed corrective treatment (in Türkiye or in another country)
- Loss of earnings during treatment, where the patient was unable to work
- Losses associated with permanent physical impairment (please refer to the “Calculations” section on the personal-injury page)
- Costs of travel, accommodation and other expenses in connection with the medical treatment
In addition, non-pecuniary damages for physical pain, suffering and emotional or psychological distress following faulty medical procedures may, of course, also be claimed.
Our firm, through our experienced lawyers, will advise you on the legal steps to take following the incident, the type of compensation that may be claimed and the amount in which the damage may be quantified.