Medical law

Medical law is the branch of law which concerns the prerogatives and responsibilities of medical professionals and the rights of the patient. It should not be confused with medical jurisprudence, which is a branch of medicine, rather than a branch of law.

The main branches of medical law are the law on confidentiality, negligence and torts in relation to medical treatment (most notably medical malpractice), and criminal law and contract law in the field of medical practice and treatment. Ethics and medical practice is a growing field.

The first medical law recorded was the Code of Hammurabi, which said; "If a physician makes a large incision with the operating knife, and kill him, ... his hands shall be cut off."

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