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Causation in Medical Malpractice: Evaluating Conditio Sine Qua Non, Adequate Causation, and Objective Imputation in Indonesian Court Decisions

James Wilson Muabuay(1email), Mompang Lycurgus Panggabean(2), Rospita Adelina Siregar(3)


(1) Faculty of Law, Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
(2) Faculty of Law, Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia orcid
(3) Faculty of Law, Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia orcid
email Corresponding Author
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Abstract


Introduction: This study examines the application of causation theories in medical malpractice cases, focusing on the complex intersection between medical uncertainty and legal certainty. Within the inherently multi-causal nature of clinical practice, establishing a definitive causal link between a physician's omission and a patient's death remains a significant judicial challenge in Indonesia.

Purposes of the Research: This research aims to evaluate the consistency of judicial reasoning in applying causation theories through an in-depth analysis of the District Court of Denpasar Decision No. 126/Pid.Sus/2011/PN.Dps. Furthermore, it seeks to identify whether the court's approach aligns with modern normative attribution standards in criminal law.

Methods of the Research: Employing a normative legal research method with statute, case, and conceptual approaches, the study compares conditio sine qua non, adequate causation, and objective imputation.

Findings of the Research: Findings reveal a “methodological shift” in judicial reasoning, moving from rigid factual analysis towards elements of adequate causation and objective imputation. However, a critical flaw identified is the court's failure to distinguish between “inherent medical risks” and “negligent risks”. The novelty lies in exposing the inconsistent application of these theories, leading to legal unpredictability. The study concludes that Indonesian courts require a more robust normative framework, particularly the integration of objective imputation, to ensure criminal liability in medical malpractice is assessed based on professional standards, not just fatal outcomes.

Keywords


Causation; Medical Malpractice; Conditio Sine Qua Non; Criminal Liability.


DOI


10.47268/tatohi.v5i12.3730

Published


2026-03-07

How To Cite


APA: Muabuay, J.W., Panggabean, M.L., & Siregar, R.A. (2026). Causation in Medical Malpractice: Evaluating Conditio Sine Qua Non, Adequate Causation, and Objective Imputation in Indonesian Court Decisions. TATOHI: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 5(12), 597-601. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47268/tatohi.v5i12.3730.
IEEE: J.W. Muabuay, M.L. Panggabean, and R.A. Siregar, "Causation in Medical Malpractice: Evaluating Conditio Sine Qua Non, Adequate Causation, and Objective Imputation in Indonesian Court Decisions", TATOHI J. Ilmu Huk., vol. 5, no. 12, pp. 597-601, Mar. 2026. Accessed on: Mar. 8, 2026. [Online]. Available DOI: https://doi.org/10.47268/tatohi.v5i12.3730
Harvard: Muabuay, J.W., Panggabean, M.L., and Siregar, R.A., (2026). "Causation in Medical Malpractice: Evaluating Conditio Sine Qua Non, Adequate Causation, and Objective Imputation in Indonesian Court Decisions". TATOHI: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, Volume 5(12), pp. 597-601. [Online]. Available DOI: https://doi.org/10.47268/tatohi.v5i12.3730 (Accessed on: 8 March 2026)
Chicago: Muabuay, James Wilson, Mompang Lycurgus Panggabean, and Rospita Adelina Siregar. "Causation in Medical Malpractice: Evaluating Conditio Sine Qua Non, Adequate Causation, and Objective Imputation in Indonesian Court Decisions." TATOHI: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum 5, no. 12 (March 7, 2026): 597-601. Accessed March 8, 2026. doi:10.47268/tatohi.v5i12.3730
Vancouver: Muabuay JW, Panggabean ML, Siregar RA. Causation in Medical Malpractice: Evaluating Conditio Sine Qua Non, Adequate Causation, and Objective Imputation in Indonesian Court Decisions. TATOHI J. Ilmu Huk. [Internet]. 2026 Mar 7 [cited 2026 Mar 8];5(12):597-601. Available from: https://doi.org/10.47268/tatohi.v5i12.3730
MLA 8th: Muabuay, James Wilson, Mompang Lycurgus Panggabean, and Rospita Adelina Siregar. "Causation in Medical Malpractice: Evaluating Conditio Sine Qua Non, Adequate Causation, and Objective Imputation in Indonesian Court Decisions." TATOHI: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, vol. 5, no. 12, 7 Mar. 2026, pp. 597-601, doi:10.47268/tatohi.v5i12.3730. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
BibTeX: 
@article{TATOHI3730,
		author = {James Muabuay and Mompang Panggabean and Rospita Siregar},
		title = {Causation in Medical Malpractice: Evaluating Conditio Sine Qua Non, Adequate Causation, and Objective Imputation in Indonesian Court Decisions},
		journal = {TATOHI: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum},
		volume = {5},
		number = {12},
		year = {2026},
		keywords = {Causation; Medical Malpractice; Conditio Sine Qua Non; Criminal Liability.},
		abstract = {Introduction: This study examines the application of causation theories in medical malpractice cases, focusing on the complex intersection between medical uncertainty and legal certainty. Within the inherently multi-causal nature of clinical practice, establishing a definitive causal link between a physician's omission and a patient's death remains a significant judicial challenge in Indonesia.Purposes of the Research: This research aims to evaluate the consistency of judicial reasoning in applying causation theories through an in-depth analysis of the District Court of Denpasar Decision No. 126/Pid.Sus/2011/PN.Dps. Furthermore, it seeks to identify whether the court's approach aligns with modern normative attribution standards in criminal law.Methods of the Research: Employing a normative legal research method with statute, case, and conceptual approaches, the study compares conditio sine qua non, adequate causation, and objective imputation.Findings of the Research: Findings reveal a “methodological shift” in judicial reasoning, moving from rigid factual analysis towards elements of adequate causation and objective imputation. However, a critical flaw identified is the court's failure to distinguish between “inherent medical risks” and “negligent risks”. The novelty lies in exposing the inconsistent application of these theories, leading to legal unpredictability. The study concludes that Indonesian courts require a more robust normative framework, particularly the integration of objective imputation, to ensure criminal liability in medical malpractice is assessed based on professional standards, not just fatal outcomes.},
				issn = {2775-619X},		pages = {597--601}			doi = {10.47268/tatohi.v5i12.3730},
				url = {https://fhukum.unpatti.ac.id/jurnal/tatohi/article/view/3730}
		}
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Buri, Maximilian von. Die Kausalität Und Ihre Strafrechtliche Bedeutung. Stuttgart: Enke, 1873.

Fletcher, George P. Rethinking Criminal Law. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000.

Hamzah, Andi. Hukum Pidana Indonesia. Jakarta: Sinar Grafika, 2019.

Hart, H. L. A., and Tony Honoré. Causation in the Law. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1985.

Hasbullah. Standar Keselamatan Pasien Dan Profesionalitas Tenaga Medis. Jakarta: Penerbit Hukum, 2020.

Mamudji, Soerjono Soekanto & Sri. Penelitian Hukum Normatif: Suatu Tinjauan Singkat. Jakarta: RajaGrafindo Persada, 2019.

Marzuki, Peter Mahmud. Penelitian Hukum. Ketujuh Be. Jakarta: Kencana, 2023.

Prodjodikoro, Wirjono. Asas-Asas Hukum Pidana Indonesia. Bandung: Refika Aditama, 2003.

Roxin, Claus. Strafrecht Allgemeiner Teil: Band I. Munich: C. H. Beck, 2006.

Septarina, Masha. Kausalitas Dan Standar Profesi Dalam Malpraktik Medis. Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2021.

Simons, Johannes. Leerboek van Het Nederlandsche Strafrecht. Groningen: P. Noordhoff, 1973.

Siregar, Rospita Adelina. Hukum Kesehatan. Jakarta: Sinar Grafika, 2023.

Sjahdeini, Sutan Remy. Pertanggung Jawaban Pidana Korporasi Dalam Peraturan Perundang Undangan Pidana Indonesia. Jakarta: Grafiti Press, 2017.

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1. Title Title of document Causation in Medical Malpractice: Evaluating Conditio Sine Qua Non, Adequate Causation, and Objective Imputation in Indonesian Court Decisions
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country James Wilson Muabuay; Faculty of Law, Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Jakarta; Indonesia
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Mompang Lycurgus Panggabean; Faculty of Law, Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Jakarta; Indonesia orcid
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Rospita Adelina Siregar; Faculty of Law, Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Jakarta; Indonesia orcid
 
3. Subject Discipline(s)
 
3. Subject Keyword(s) Causation; Medical Malpractice; Conditio Sine Qua Non; Criminal Liability.
 
4. Description Abstract Introduction: This study examines the application of causation theories in medical malpractice cases, focusing on the complex intersection between medical uncertainty and legal certainty. Within the inherently multi-causal nature of clinical practice, establishing a definitive causal link between a physician's omission and a patient's death remains a significant judicial challenge in Indonesia.Purposes of the Research: This research aims to evaluate the consistency of judicial reasoning in applying causation theories through an in-depth analysis of the District Court of Denpasar Decision No. 126/Pid.Sus/2011/PN.Dps. Furthermore, it seeks to identify whether the court's approach aligns with modern normative attribution standards in criminal law.Methods of the Research: Employing a normative legal research method with statute, case, and conceptual approaches, the study compares conditio sine qua non, adequate causation, and objective imputation.Findings of the Research: Findings reveal a “methodological shift” in judicial reasoning, moving from rigid factual analysis towards elements of adequate causation and objective imputation. However, a critical flaw identified is the court's failure to distinguish between “inherent medical risks” and “negligent risks”. The novelty lies in exposing the inconsistent application of these theories, leading to legal unpredictability. The study concludes that Indonesian courts require a more robust normative framework, particularly the integration of objective imputation, to ensure criminal liability in medical malpractice is assessed based on professional standards, not just fatal outcomes.
 
5. Publisher Organizing agency, location Faculty of Law, Universitas Pattimura
 
6. Contributor Sponsor(s)
 
7. Date (YYYY-MM-DD) 2026-03-07
 
8. Type Status & genre Peer-reviewed Article
 
8. Type Type
 
9. Format File format PDF
 
10. Identifier Uniform Resource Identifier https://fhukum.unpatti.ac.id/jurnal/tatohi/article/view/3730
 
10. Identifier Digital Object Identifier 10.47268/tatohi.v5i12.3730
 
11. Source Title; vol., no. (year) TATOHI: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum; Volume 5 Issue 12, February 2026
 
12. Language English=en en
 
13. Relation Supp. Files
 
14. Coverage Geo-spatial location, chronological period, research sample (gender, age, etc.)
 
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Copyright (c) 2026 James Wilson Muabuay, Mompang Lycurgus Panggabean, Rospita Adelina Siregar

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