Communications issues — communication problems between healthcare providers and failure to follow-up on tests/consults — were among the most expensive (highest indemnity) and most frequent (number of claims) associated issues in medical liability claims.*
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Top Associated Issues in Medical Liability Claims
Most Frequent Associated Issues
- Problems with history, exam, or workup
- X-ray error
- Comorbid issues
- Communication problems between healthcare providers
- Consent issues
- Problems with records
- Involves surgical/medical device
- Failure to follow-up on tests/consults
- Vicarious liability
- Unnecessary treatment
Most Expensive Associated Issues
- Problems with History, Exam, or Workup
- Problems with Records
- Communication problems between healthcare providers
- Comorbid Issues
- X-ray Error
- Failure to follow-up on tests/consults
- Consent Issues
- Lack of Adequate Facilities, Equipment, or Staff
- Unnecessary Treatment
- Fraud
Percentage of Claims With Indemnity Payments
- 58% — Failure to Follow-Up on Tests/Consults
- 47% — Communication Problems Between Healthcare Providers
- 33% — All Claims
5 Top Specialties with Highest Indemnity Payments
Specialties with Highest Indemnity Payments Failure to Follow-Up on Tests/Consults
- Internal Medicine
- OB/GYN
- Family Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Cardiology
Communication Problems Between Healthcare Providers
- OB/GYN
- Internal Medicine
- Radiology
- Family Medicine
- General Surgery
* Claims data is based on a recent study of the NORCAL Group cause-of-loss database for the period April 2015-March 2020. Cost of claims is total indemnity.