Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving medical practice with particular characteristics. On time initiation of CPR can increase survival in cases of sudden cardiac arrest. The main component of CPR is the application of external chest compressions. Unfortunately, bystander CPR rates have remained low over the past decade. The unwillingness has been attributed to various causes among which complications are discussed in this paper. Complications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation often occur even if the doctor is skilled and acts according to the guidelines. The iatrogenic manipulations of CPR contain a significant violation risk for both the patient and the physician. The scope of this paper is to review the main complications of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the discussion of the points that characterize the ethico-legal approach of these complications. The ultimate objective is the prejudice of negative "defensive medicine" so that all doctors will not avoid the application of CPR, fearing malpractice litigation.