Court boosts doctors' monthly payments in €1.3 million malpractice case

In a recent decision, Cyprus’s Court of Appeal increased the monthly repayment amounts required from three doctors who were found liable for medical negligence. The doctors were initially ordered by the Limassol District Court to each pay €2,000 per month towards a €1.3 million judgment debt plus interest and costs. The woman who won the case argued that this amount was too low, leading to an appeal.

The Court of Appeal agreed with her, ruling that the monthly payments were insufficient given the doctors' financial capabilities. The three doctors are now required to pay higher amounts: one doctor will pay €5,000 per month, while the other two will each pay €4,000 per month.

The appeal was based on the argument that the original monthly payment amounts did not reflect the doctors' substantial incomes and the priority of repaying the judgment debt. The Court of Appeal noted that while the trial court considered the doctors' income and personal needs, it did not set the repayment amounts high enough given their earnings and ability to pay.

The decision to adjust the payments was based on a thorough review of the doctors' financial situations and the need to ensure that the judgment debt was prioritized over other expenses. The Court of Appeal has ordered the increased payments to be effective immediately and also awarded costs of €5,400 plus VAT to the appellant.

[With info from CNA]