요추 추간판 탈출증과 관련된 판례분석

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Herniated lumbar disc (HLD) is a relatively common disorder, while its causality is a matter of debate. Although there are a few rules in the Korean laws, they are usually nonspecific and comprehensive. By these rules, it is hard to solve the legal conflicts determining the work apportionment. The final judgments may be irrelevant by the inappropriate opinions of the doctors who are not concerned on the work apportionment. METHODS: We searched precedents related to the medical accidents of HLD in the Korean Supreme Court web site. There were 38 precedents related to the HLD from 1990 to 2011. We reviewed types of the court, types of the suits, legal judgments, the point of conflicts, and so on. We tried to find the problems and adequate solution. RESULTS: The Supreme Court made 20 in 38 precedents related to the HLD. The most common precedents were on the industrial insurance. Compensation suits for damages were the next. These two issues constituted about 70% of the precedents related to the HLD. There were other suits on the insurance money, accidental infliction of injury, and a man of national merit. The judgment on the work apportionment was independent to the year of suits, types of the court, and the types of the suits. CONCLUSION: By the precedents on the HLD, we could identify the importance of the doctors' opinion in various legal conflicts. Doctors should have concerns on the work apportionment of a certain trauma or a work objectively in HLDs.