title: Dizziness, malpractice, and the otolaryngologist.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess malpractice claims related to the management of dizziness in otolaryngology in order to improve care and minimize the risk of litigation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective review of the LexisNexis "Jury Verdicts and Settlements" database. All lawsuits and out of court adjudications related to the management of dizziness by otolaryngologists were collected. Data including patient demographics, plaintiff allegation, procedure performed, and indemnities were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 21 cases meeting inclusion criteria, 17 were decided by a trial jury and four were resolved out of court. Jury verdicts favored the plaintiff 53% of the time and a payout was made in 57% of cases overall. Average payments were higher for jury verdicts in favor of the plaintiff ($1.8 million) as compared to out of court settlements ($545,000). Two-thirds of cases involved surgery, most commonly stapes surgery. Legal allegations, including physical injury, negligence, and lack of informed consent failed to predict the legal outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Appropriate examination, testing, and referrals within a timely manner are crucial in the management of dizzy patients to avoid misdiagnoses. It is imperative that patients undergoing ear surgery are appropriately counseled that dizziness is a potential complication. The analysis of malpractice literature is complementary to clinical studies, with the potential to educate practitioners, improve patient care, and mitigate risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, USA. Electronic address: anthony.m.tolisano.mil@mail.mil.
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tolisano
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
authors.forename: Sungjin A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ruhl
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI, USA.
authors.forename: Philip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Littlefield
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010036:Otolaryngology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States