introduction: one instance of errors in diagnosis which cannot be considered medical malpractice pertain to rare cases of vasculitishenoch-schonlein. the aim of this study was to shed light on the legal aspects of vasculitishenoch-schonlein by illuminating this disease, providing a comprehensive definition of what constitutes medical malpractice, and pointing out cases of errors in diagnosis re...

The objective of this study was to take a closer look at defense-related expenses for medical malpractice cases over time. We conducted a retrospective review of medical malpractice claims reported to the Physician Insurers Association of America's Data Sharing Project with a closing date between January 1, 1985 and December 31, 2008. On average a medical malpractice claim costs more than $27,0...

BACKGROUND Patients are often not told about harmful medical errors. The malpractice environment is considered a major determinant of physicians' willingness to disclose errors to patients. Yet, little is known about the malpractice environment's actual effect on physicians' error disclosure attitudes and experiences. METHODS Mailed survey of 2637 physicians (62.9% response rate) in the Unite...

In the 1970's, Michigan and other states were confronted with a medical malpractice crisis of astronomical proportions. The escalating number of medical malpractice lawsuits and concomitant increase in malpractice premiums for health care providers fostered a divisive climate among doctors, lawyers and patients. In response to this crisis, the Michigan legislature enacted the Medical Malpractic...

BACKGROUND Many physicians believe Medicaid patients are more likely than non-Medicaid patients to file malpractice claims. This study examines the accuracy of this belief in regard to obstetric malpractice claims. METHODS Claims filed between January 1982 and June 1988 from the major malpractice insurer in Washington State were used to compare obstetric malpractice claims filed on behalf of ...

Medical malpractice may be defined as damage suffered by a patient resulting from professional negligence on the part of the carer.2 Modern medicine is an art of healing and caring backed by scientific evidence. Doctors can promise in good faith to do their best for patients but they cannot warrant cure or desirable outcomes. It is clear therefore that mere damage is not a sufficient condition ...

The interests of the public and the medical profession are best served when scientifically sound and unbiased expert witness testimony is readily available to plaintiffs and defendants in medical negligence suits. As members of the physician community, as patient advocates, and as private citizens, pediatricians have ethical and professional obligations to assist in the administration of justic...

Medical errors do not necessarily represent negligence. Even when a mental health professional deviates from the standard of care, minor injury to a patient is unlikely to result in a lawsuit. The standard of care is not the same as the quality of care. Quality of care refers to the total care a patient receives, the patient's health care decisions, and the available mental health services. As ...