TABLE 4.
Causative Issues of Obstetric Malpractice Lawsuits
| Causative Domain/Causative Issues | No. Lawsuits | % | Death, % | With High Payment (≥$100,000) (%) | Median Indemnity Payment, $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Antenatal care access and management | 88 | 2.6 | 53.4 | 4.5 | 11,997 |
| 1.1 Inadequate level of pregnancy care | 16 | 0.5 | 50.0 | 6.3 | 12,229 |
| 1.2 Inadequate telephone advice | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1.3 Inadequate/inappropriate management | 72 | 2.1 | 54.2 | 4.2 | 11,748 |
| 2 Diagnosis | 291 | 8.5 | 38.3 | 5.2 | 13,439 |
| 2.1 Mis/missed diagnosis | 72 | 2.1 | 63.4 | 8.5 | 26,037 |
| 2.2 Delayed diagnosis | 45 | 1.3 | 42.2 | 6.7 | 26,302 |
| 2.3 Diagnosis communication | 20 | 0.6 | 35.0 | 10.0 | 30,590 |
| 2.4 Aneuploidy screening | 155 | 4.5 | 27.1 | 2.6 | 10,660 |
| 3 Fetal surveillance | 380 | 11.0 | 80.5 | 6.6 | 23,729 |
| 3.1 Antenatal Cardiotocography (CTG) | 14 | 0.4 | 100.0 | 7.1 | 32,482 |
| 3.2 Intrapartum CTG | 263 | 7.6 | 81.7 | 7.6 | 29,408 |
| 3.3 Ultrasound | 103 | 3.0 | 74.8 | 3.9 | 11,420 |
| 4 Management of labor | 495 | 14.4 | 46.1 | 13.3 | 28,918 |
| 4.1 Induction/augmentation of labor | 379 | 11.0 | 34.8 | 13.2 | 28,225 |
| 4.2 Management of pre-existing maternal condition | 116 | 3.4 | 82.8 | 13.8 | 32,110 |
| 5 Anesthetic | 48 | 1.4 | 8.3 | 29.2 | 46,105 |
| 5.1 Regional anesthetic | 40 | 1.2 | 2.5 | 25.0 | 43,288 |
| 5.2 General anesthetic | 8 | 0.2 | 37.5 | 50.0 | 76,797 |
| 6 Forceps or ventose delivery management | 154 | 4.5 | 48.7 | 11.0 | 37,013 |
| 6.1 Forceps or ventose delivery management | 154 | 4.5 | 48.7 | 11.0 | 37,013 |
| 7 Cesarean section management | 326 | 9.5 | 46.6 | 7.1 | 28,844 |
| 7.1 Cesarean section management | 326 | 9.5 | 46.6 | 7.1 | 28,844 |
| 8 Medication error | 59 | 1.7 | 61.0 | 0.0 | 15,388 |
| 8.1 Prescription error | 48 | 1.4 | 66.7 | 0.0 | 22,827 |
| 8.2 Medication administration | 11 | 0.3 | 36.4 | 0.0 | 14,180 |
| 9 Management of birth complications and adverse outcomes | 803 | 23.3 | 43.6 | 8.6 | 26,926 |
| 9.1 Management of uterine rupture | 42 | 1.2 | 85.7 | 11.9 | 22,827 |
| 9.2 Management of shoulder dystocia | 298 | 8.7 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 14,875 |
| 9.3 Management of hypertensive and eclamptic disorders | 57 | 1.7 | 78.9 | 14.0 | 45,977 |
| 9.4 Management of maternal infection | 41 | 1.2 | 70.7 | 12.2 | 33,872 |
| 9.5 Management of amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) | 117 | 3.4 | 93.2 | 10.3 | 47,465 |
| 9.6 Management of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) | 189 | 5.4 | 64.6 | 18.0 | 43,331 |
| 9.7 Management of perineal trauma | 34 | 1.0 | 14.7 | 2.9 | 27,834 |
| 9.8 Un-retrieved instrument/pack | 25 | 0.7 | 4.0 | 0.0 | 16,255 |
| 10 Postnatal care | 57 | 1.6 | 45.6 | 17.5 | 35,553 |
| 10.1 Complications and adverse outcomes | 32 | 0.9 | 25.0 | 15.6 | 14,190 |
| 10.2 Management of thromboembolic disease | 25 | 0.7 | 72.0 | 20.0 | 45,685 |
| 11 Newborn care | 124 | 3.6 | 87.9 | 3.2 | 35,407 |
| 11.1 Neonatal injury/ death | 124 | 3.6 | 87.9 | 3.2 | 35,407 |
| 12 Career decision making | 472 | 13.7 | 63.1 | 9.1 | 26,437 |
| 12.1 Medical care decision making | 445 | 12.9 | 63.8 | 8.5 | 26,180 |
| 12.2 Nursing and midwifery care decision making | 27 | 0.8 | 51.9 | 18.5 | 39,529 |
| 13 Consent and conduct | 126 | 3.7 | 62.7 | 4.8 | 19,500 |
| 13.1 Consent | 124 | 3.6 | 62.9 | 4.0 | 19,500 |
| 13.2 Professional conduct | 2 | 0.1 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 88,225 |
| 14 Other | 18 | 0.5 | 83.3 | 11.1 | 33,469 |
| 14.1 Other | 18 | 0.5 | 83.3 | 11.1 | 33,469 |
| Total | 3441 | 100.0 | 53.4 | 8.7 | 25,898 |