The Legal Doctrine on the Liability of Physicians in Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Involving Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundComplex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) involves severe pain and it is difficult to identify the exact cause or pathogenesis. Therefore, there are controversies regarding legal issues related to the establishment of damage in medical malpractice lawsuits involving CRPS. This study aimed to analyze malpractice lawsuits involving CRPS, which occurred after the disputed medical treatment, to provide information on the courts' opinion and characteristics of the cases.MethodsThis study analyzed 23 lawsuit judgments involving CRPS that were sentenced from 2005 to 2015.ResultsA total of 12 of the 23 cases were partially ruled in favor of the plaintiff. The average amount (KRW) claimed was 470,638,385 ± 860,634,092 (21,000,000 to 4,020,000,000), and that awarded was 72,906,843 ± 53,389,367 (15,000,000 to 181,080,803). Sixteen of the 23 cases had CRPS type I. In 11 of 23 cases, the site of the pain was located in the lower limb and in 14 cases there was no presence of trauma or event prior to medical treatment.ConclusionNerve injury was the most frequent reason for taking responsibility in compensating damage in malpractice cases involving CRPS. Physicians should consider various possibilities of such complications in medical practices. It is important to identify and improve areas which need to be improved for patient safety through analyzing the lawsuit judgment cases.

Prevention of medical malpractice and disputes through analysis of lawsuits related to coronary angiography and intervention

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Metagenomics: aid to combat antimicrobial resistance in diarrhea

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Medicolegal implications from litigations involving necrotizing fasciitis

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“…Subsequently, the researchers categorized the cases into 3 groups based on medical accident, the occurrence of NF, and breach of duty. For medical accidents, we analyzed the following variables that have been used in previous studies [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]: the yearly distribution of NF cases, the period of the resolution, type of medical institution, specialized department, patient's sex and age, and the rate of loss of labor capacity as a result of damage. The decision, limitation of liability, and the amount claimed and awarded relating to the medical accident were analyzed.…”