[Typical liability damages of the upper extremities in childhood and their evaluation]

Legal appraisals of possible treatment errors in childhood and adolescence are rare, often refer to the treatment of trauma of the upper limbs and are frequently recognized. From the activity of the first author as an expert witness 31 expert opinions (25%) referred to the upper limbs. Supracondylar humeral fractures, radius neck fractures, radial condyle fractures and distal radius fractures were predominant. A primary treatment error was determined in 14 patients and a secondary error in 7 patients. This corresponds to a recognition rate of 68%. The aim of this study was the reflection and the development of a prevention strategy. Insufficient recognition of instability (radial condyle), inadequate reduction and inadequate stabilization (radius neck, supracondylar) as well as untreated malalignments and secondary dislocations (wrist) were the main reproaches. Poor communication and deficient documentation often aggravate the situation. Working along clear algorithms can help to avoid legal proceedings and assignment of guilt.