TY - JOUR
T1 - Perinatal litigation in Scotland 1980-1995
T2 - Its incidence, rate and nature
AU - Symon, A.
PY - 1999/6/22
Y1 - 1999/6/22
N2 - Many claims about an increase in the incidence of perinatal litigation have been made, despite a lack of comprehensive data which might confirm this. A large scale study into litigation throughout Scotland from 1980 to 1995 revealed an initial sharp rise in the number of claims, but a fall in the overall number of claims made in 1994 and 1995; a similar picture was noted in a limited cross-border examination of English files. Not every area has experienced a reduction in incidence, and the rate of litigation (measured in deliveries per legal claim) varied hugely over time and between areas. A wide variety of head of claim was noted. Twenty-one percent of Scottish claims concerned cerebral palsy; of closed claims only 15% were successful, but a large proportion are still on-going. While the 'litigation crisis' is difficult to verify from these data, costs appear to be rising.
AB - Many claims about an increase in the incidence of perinatal litigation have been made, despite a lack of comprehensive data which might confirm this. A large scale study into litigation throughout Scotland from 1980 to 1995 revealed an initial sharp rise in the number of claims, but a fall in the overall number of claims made in 1994 and 1995; a similar picture was noted in a limited cross-border examination of English files. Not every area has experienced a reduction in incidence, and the rate of litigation (measured in deliveries per legal claim) varied hugely over time and between areas. A wide variety of head of claim was noted. Twenty-one percent of Scottish claims concerned cerebral palsy; of closed claims only 15% were successful, but a large proportion are still on-going. While the 'litigation crisis' is difficult to verify from these data, costs appear to be rising.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0033010819&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/01443619964986
DO - 10.1080/01443619964986
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0033010819
VL - 19
SP - 239
EP - 247
JO - Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
JF - Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
SN - 0144-3615
IS - 3
ER -