title: Medical Malpractice in Uveitis: A Review of Clinical Entities and Outcomes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To guide risk management in uveitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of malpractice verdicts, rulings, and settlements.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The WestLaw® database was reviewed for lawsuits related to uveitis in the United States from 1930-2014. Twenty-five cases met inclusion criteria, and 48% of these were infectious. Overall, 64% of outcomes favored the defendant ophthalmologist. The most common diagnoses were viral retinitis (28%), iritis (12%), syphilis (8%), and toxoplasmosis (8%). Seven suits (28%) were resolved by settlement, with mean adjusted indemnities of $724,302 (median, $409,390; range, $127,837-2,021,887). Two cases (8%) resulted in plaintiff verdict, with adjusted awards of $1,399,800 and $630,799.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite being a rare diagnosis, viral retinitis (especially acute retinal necrosis) is the most common clinical entity associated with litigation in uveitis and should be considered early. Educating patients about potential adverse events, early testing for syphilis, and maintaining a positive relationship may also minimize risk.
authors.affiliation: a Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Ashvini K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: b Department of Ophthalmology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia , USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Engelhard
authors.affiliation: b Department of Ophthalmology , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia , USA.
authors.forename: Christopher T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.affiliation: c School of Law and School of Medicine , University of Virginia , Charlottesville , Virginia , USA.
authors.forename: Austin J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.affiliation: a Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , MD , USA.|d Department of Epidemiology , Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health , Baltimore , MD , USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Thorne
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016365:Liability, Legal; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D014605:Uveitis / Q000175:diagnosis*
keywords: Acute retinal necrosis; litigation; malpractice; uveitis