title: Medical Malpractice Claims in Radiation Oncology: A Population-Based Study 1985-2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine trends in radiation oncology malpractice claims and expenses during the last 28 years and to compare radiation oncology malpractice claims to those of other specialties.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective analysis of closed malpractice claims filed from 1985 to 2012, collected by a nationwide medical liability insurance trade association. We analyzed characteristics and trends among closed claims, indemnity payments (payments to plaintiff), and litigation expenses. We also compared radiation oncology malpractice claims to those of 21 other medical specialties. Time series dollar amounts were adjusted for inflation (2012 was the index year).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 1517 closed claims involving radiation oncology, of which 342 (22.5%) were paid. Average and median indemnity payments were $276,792 and $122,500, respectively, ranking fifth and eighth, respectively, among the 22 specialty groups. Linear regression modeling of time trends showed decreasing total numbers of claims (β = -1.96 annually, P=.003), increasing average litigation expenses paid (β = +$1472 annually, P ≤ .001), and no significant changes in average indemnity payments (β = -$681, P=.89).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical professional liability claims filed against radiation oncologists are not common and have declined in recent years. However, indemnity payments in radiation oncology are large relative to those of many other specialties. In recent years, the average indemnity payment has been stable, whereas litigation expenses have increased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California.
authors.forename: Deborah C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Rinaa S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Punglia
authors.affiliation: School of Law, University of San Diego, San Diego, California.
authors.forename: Dov
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Abram
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Recht
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California. Electronic address: jhattangadi@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: Jona A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hattangadi-Gluth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007351:Insurance, Liability / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D008875:Middle Aged; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors