Table 1.
PIAA* Telephone-related Malpractice Claims Data by Specialty, Case Outcome, and Indemnity
| Defendant type | Total | CWIP number‡ | CWOP number§ | Mean indemnity | Total indemnity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internists | 195 | 61 (23%) | 134 (26%) | $234,242 | 4,288,786 |
| Obstetricians | 141 | 45 (17%) | 96 (18%) | $284,712 | 2,812,061 |
| Pediatricians | 97 | 40 (15%) | 57 (11%) | $281,258 | 1,250,312 |
| Orthopedists | 30 | 13 (5%) | 17 (3%) | $208,936 | $2,716,166 |
| Emergency physician | 1 | 1 (1%) | 0 | $75,000 | $75,000 |
| Surgeons | 36 | 12 (5%) | 24 (5%) | $274,399 | $3,292,787 |
| All other specialties† | 286 | 91 (35%) | 195 (37%) | $301,350 | $27,422,861 |
| Totals | 786 | 263 (33%) | 523 (67%) | $273,224 | $71,857,973 |
*Source: Physicians Insurers Association of America
†Includes General and Family Practice, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Cardiovascular Disease, Plastic Surgery, Psychiatry, Gastroenterology, Urology, Neurosurgery, Radiology, Gynecology, Otorhinolaryngology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Dermatology, Radiation Therapy, Anesthesiology, Other Nonsurgical Specialties, Oral Surgery, and Pathology
‡CWIP—closed with indemnity payment (settled or plaintiff verdict at trial)
§CWOP—closed without indemnity payment (dismissed, frivolous, plaintiff cancelled)