Most prevalent conditions resulting in malpractice lawsuits

October 8, 2019

Dr Schuman, section editor for Peds v2.0, is clinical assistant professor of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, New Hampshire, and editorial advisory board member of Contemporary Pediatrics.

Here are the 10 most prevalent conditions that result in malpractice lawsuits.

Condition: Appendicitis

Average indemnity (for all claims): $116,285

Condition: Routine infant or child health check

Average indemnity (for all claims): $155,039

Condition: Specified nonteratogenic anomalies

Average indemnity (for all claims): $186,708

Condition: Asthma

Average indemnity (for all claims): $193,414

Condition: Pneumonia

Average indemnity (for all claims): $239,531

Condition: Premature birth

Average indemnity (for all claims): $250,031

Condition: Repsiratory problems in newborns

Average indemnity (for all claims): $270,607

Condition: Birth

Average indemnity (for all claims): $286,407

Condition: Meningitis

Average indemnity (for all claims): $437,423

Condition: Brain-damaged infant

Average indemnity (for all claims): $440,379