Protecting the most vulnerable: Litigation from pediatric otolaryngologic procedures and conditions
2014; Wiley; Volume: 124; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1002/lary.24663
ISSN1531-4995
AutoresChristopher Rose, Peter F. Svider, Anthony Sheyn, Lila N. Meadows, Jean Anderson Eloy, James M. Coticchia, Adam J. Folbe,
Tópico(s)Healthcare Decision-Making and Restraints
ResumoThe LaryngoscopeVolume 124, Issue 9 p. 2161-2166 Pediatrics Protecting the most vulnerable: Litigation from pediatric otolaryngologic procedures and conditions Christopher Rose MD, Christopher Rose MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSearch for more papers by this authorPeter F. Svider MD, Corresponding Author Peter F. Svider MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSend correspondence to Peter F. Svider, MD, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St. Antoine, 5E-UHC, Detroit, MI 48201. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAnthony Sheyn MD, Anthony Sheyn MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSearch for more papers by this authorLila N. Meadows MHS, Lila N. Meadows MHS Francis King Carey School of Law, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MarylandSearch for more papers by this authorJean Anderson Eloy MD, FACS, Jean Anderson Eloy MD, FACS Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A. Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A. Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorJames Coticchia MD, James Coticchia MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSearch for more papers by this authorAdam J. Folbe MD, Adam J. Folbe MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSearch for more papers by this author Christopher Rose MD, Christopher Rose MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSearch for more papers by this authorPeter F. Svider MD, Corresponding Author Peter F. Svider MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSend correspondence to Peter F. Svider, MD, Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 4201 St. Antoine, 5E-UHC, Detroit, MI 48201. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorAnthony Sheyn MD, Anthony Sheyn MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSearch for more papers by this authorLila N. Meadows MHS, Lila N. Meadows MHS Francis King Carey School of Law, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MarylandSearch for more papers by this authorJean Anderson Eloy MD, FACS, Jean Anderson Eloy MD, FACS Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A. Department of Neurological Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A. Center for Skull Base and Pituitary Surgery, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.A.Search for more papers by this authorJames Coticchia MD, James Coticchia MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSearch for more papers by this authorAdam J. Folbe MD, Adam J. Folbe MD Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MichiganSearch for more papers by this author First published: 07 March 2014 https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.24663Citations: 20 The authors have no funding, financial relationships, or conflicts of interest to disclose. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Objectives/Hypothesis To identify allegations raised in litigation stemming from pediatric otolaryngologic procedures and conditions. Study Design Retrospective analysis of a legal database. Methods The authors reviewed jury verdict and settlement reports on the WestlawNext database from 1994 to 2013 for cases involving pediatric plaintiffs and alleged negligence in otolaryngologic procedures and conditions. Results Of the 78 cases included, 52.6% were resolved with a payment; aggregate payments exceeded $69 million, and median jury-awarded damages and settlements were $874,190 and $250,000, respectively. Adenotonsillectomy was the most commonly litigated procedure. Otolaryngologists were defendants in 42 (53.8%) cases, with pediatricians and anesthesiologists the next most commonly named defendants. Forty-six (59.0%) cases involved alleged negligence in operative management, whereas other factors included permanent injury (44.9%), misdiagnosis/failure to diagnose in a timely manner (41.0%), death (35.9%), and requiring additional surgery. Airway-related complications and allegedly permanent injuries significantly increased the size of payments. Awards were highest in cases with plaintiffs at 1 to 5-years of age and lowest among children older than 10 years of age. Conclusions Unique considerations specific to pediatric patients are involved in malpractice litigation, and damages awarded were considerable. By including the specific factors listed in this analysis in a comprehensive informed consent process, and recognizing concerns specific to this patient population, practitioners in multiple specialties may potentially reduce liability. Clear communication with parents is a critical component of this process. 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