Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Korea for Foreigners

Attorney-doctors provide integrated medical and legal analysis for foreign patients who suffered harm from medical treatment in Korea.

Medical Case Consultation

Quick Answer

If you were harmed by medical treatment in Korea, you may be able to bring a malpractice claim, and foreign patients have the same legal rights as Korean patients. A claim usually begins with a review of your medical records by attorney-doctors, continues through mediation at the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency (K-MEDI), and, if a fair resolution is not reached, proceeds to civil litigation.

Key Risks & Immediate Steps

Medical records should be requested early, before they can be lost or altered.
Korea's statute of limitations for malpractice is generally 3 years from the date you knew of the injury and the responsible party, and no more than 10 years from the negligent act.
Preserve all prescriptions, imaging, discharge papers, and communications; do not accept a settlement or free corrective surgery before legal advice.

Who Can Bring a Medical Malpractice Claim

Any patient who received treatment in Korea — a resident, a medical tourist, or a visitor — can bring a claim if the healthcare provider breached the accepted standard of care and that breach caused harm. The fact that you traveled to Korea for treatment does not reduce your rights, and a consent form does not waive a hospital's duty to provide competent care.

How Claims Work in Korea

Most medical malpractice claims in Korea first go through the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency (K-MEDI), where medical experts review the case and a structured mediation is conducted. Mediation is faster and less costly than litigation, but settlements reached there are binding. If mediation does not produce a fair result, the case proceeds to civil litigation, where the court decides both liability and the level of compensation.

Why Doctor-Attorneys Matter

Medical malpractice cases require both medical and legal expertise. Our team includes licensed medical doctors who also practice law, so your records are reviewed at a clinical level — not only a legal one. This integrated analysis helps identify deviations from the standard of care that a non-medical lawyer may overlook.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pursue a claim from my home country?

Yes. Your Korean attorney can handle records requests, expert consultation, mediation, and most litigation steps on your behalf. Physical presence in Korea is generally not required for most stages of the process.

What compensation can be recovered?

Compensation can include corrective surgery costs, past and future medical expenses, lost income, travel and accommodation for follow-up treatment, and damages for pain, disfigurement, and diminished quality of life.

Do I need to prove the doctor intended to cause harm?

No. Medical malpractice is based on negligence — a failure to meet the accepted standard of care — not on intent. You must show that the standard was breached and that the breach caused harm.

Have Your Medical Case Reviewed by Attorney-Doctors

Medical malpractice claims require prompt attention to preserve evidence and meet filing deadlines. Contact us for a confidential case review with an attorney who is also a licensed medical doctor.

Medical Case Consultation Contact via WhatsApp