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Involvement in a malpractice lawsuit is a disturbing experience. Awareness of why physicians are sued might help clinicians improve their practices and reduce risk for malpractice liability. Investigators identified the most common medical conditions associated with lawsuits against pediatricians from 1985 to 2006, using data from a trade association of medical malpractice insurance companies (Physician Insurers Association of America). Highlights of the report include:
The most common conditions in pediatric malpractice claims were meningitis, appendicitis, nonteratogenic anomalies, pneumonia, and brain damage in infants.
More than 80% of meningitis claims that involved patient deaths were for children younger than 1 year.
Claims for developm…