Medical malpractice and sarcoma care—A thirty‐three year review of case resolutions, inciting factors, and at risk physician specialties surrounding a rare diagnosis. Issue 8 (22nd August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mesko, Nathan W.; Mesko, Jennifer L.; Gaffney, Lauren M.; Halpern, Jennifer L.; Schwartz, Herbert S.; Holt, Ginger E.
• Is Part Of: Journal of surgical oncology. Volume 110:Issue 8(2014:Dec. 15)
• Page Start: 919
• Page End: 929
• Publication Date: 2014-08-22
• Subjects: Cancer -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jso.23770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4790

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jso23770-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>We reviewed medico‐legal cases related to extremity sarcoma malpractice in order to recognize those factors most commonly instigating sarcoma litigation.</p> </sec> <sec id="jso23770-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Over one million legal cases available in a national legal database were searched for malpractice verdicts and settlements involving extremity sarcoma spanning 1980–2012. We categorized verdict/settlement resolutions by state, year, award amount, nature of the complaint/injury, specialty of the physician defendant, and academic affiliation of defendant–amongst other variables.</p> </sec> <sec id="jso23770-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Of the 216 cases identified, 57% of case resolutions favored the plaintiff, with a mean indemnity payment of $2.30 million (range $65, 076–$12.66 million). Delay in diagnosis (81%), unnecessary amputation (11%), and misdiagnosis (7%) accounted for the majority of complaints. The greatest numbers of claims were filed against primary care specialties (34%), orthopaedic surgeons (23%), and radiologists (12%). Individual state tort reform measures were not protective against case resolution outcome.</p> </sec> <sec id="jso23770-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Reported medico‐legal claims involving sarcoma care continue to rise, with mean indemnity payments approaching 10 times that for other reported medical/surgical specialties. Primary care and orthopaedic specialties are the most commonly named physician defendants, citing a delay in diagnosis. This suggests further education in the front line diagnosis and management of sarcomas is needed. <italic>J. Surg. Oncol. 2014; 110:919–929</italic>. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.</p> </sec> </abstract>