[Medical and legal aspects of medical liability lawsuits].

The principal legal resolutions about medical liability lawsuits in Chile are analyzed. The causes for the accusations and for the increase in the number of suits in Chile, according to research performed by the authors, are described. An improvement in patient-physician relationships, a better alliance among physicians, a correct certification of medical specialties, the demand of adequate technological and humans resources to perform medical functions optimally, the supervision of medical work and the legal support and advice of medical societies are recommended strategies to prevent these lawsuits.