Publisher's Synopsis
Obstetric malpractice insurance premiums are some of the highest in the medical field. It is estimated that a minimum of 60 per cent of all obstetric physicians are party to a lawsuit at least once in their career. In addition, these cases result in large damage awards and present numerous sophisticated legal and medical issues. This three volume work is a complete reference source for any attorney, expert, hospital or paralegal involved in an obstetric or neonatal malpractice action. Written by attorneys, doctors, rehabilitation experts, risk managers and economists, the book analyzes the birth process from pregnancy through delivery to neonatal care. The medical discussions include a review of the standards of care, normal procedures, medication, anesthesia, informed consent, complications during pregnancy, delivery and newborn care, injuries to the newborn and the participation of nurses in the procedures. The legal discussions focus on case analysis, case preparation using a broad variety of litigation documents, and settlement, including a review of the relevant seminal cases.;The book also features chapters by economists and rehabilitation experts on evaluating the worth of a case, treatment options and overall future expenses. New to this edition are chapters on the use and problems with anesthesia, a psychiatrist's review of informed consent in obstetric cases, risk analysis from a hospital's perspective, rehabilitation medicine and treatment, life expectancy analysis, including reasonable methods of calculation, shoulder dystocia and placental pathology. The practice elements of the book including documents, forms and practice pointers will be expanded.
