title: Characteristics of medical professional liability claims against dermatologists: data from 2704 closed claims in a voluntary registry.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Physician Insurers Association of America established a voluntary registry in 1985 that contains 239,756 closed claims. The registry is maintained for educational programs to reduce patient injury and medical professional liability (MPL) claims.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This report provides a description of MPL claims against dermatologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive techniques are used to present summary information for the dermatologic claims in the registry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 239,756 closed claims, 2704 (1.1%) involve dermatologists. Of the 2704 closed claims, 775 (28.7%) resulted in an average indemnity payment of $137,538. The most common allegation was improper procedure performance. The most prevalent procedure was operative procedures on the skin. Error in diagnosis was the next most common allegation. The most common diagnosis was malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma claims were paid in 42.2% of cases with an average indemnity payment of $436,843.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The data are subject to selection and reporting biases. In addition, the registry does not contain exposure data, so incidences and prevalences are not calculable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MPL issues are important to all practicing dermatologists. The most common allegation against dermatologists in this study was improper performance of operative procedures on the skin, excluding skin grafts. Error in diagnosis of malignant melanoma was the next most common allegation. Malignant melanoma claims were paid in 42.2% of cases with an average indemnity payment of $436,843. By focusing on the risk management of these procedures and this diagnosis, dermatologists can have the largest impact on reducing patient injuries and consequent MPL claims.
authors.affiliation: Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: Alan N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Moshell
authors.forename: Parul Divya
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Oetgen
mesh_terms: D003880:Dermatology; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries