Table 1

Most common diagnoses and underlying causes associated with negligent claims (total 5921)

Error (indefensible) No (%)
Disease or injury category
Acute myocardial infarction269 (5)
Lung cancer166 (3)
Breast cancer147 (3)
Colon cancer145 (3)
Brain damaged infant115 (2)
Appendicitis95 (2)
Meningitis80 (1)
Pulmonary embolism79 (1)
Diabetes72 (1)
Symptoms involving abdomen and pelvis71 (1)
Other4682 (79)
Underlying cause
Diagnosis error2003 (34)
Failure to supervise or monitor case972 (16)
Improper performance898 (15)
Medication errors489 (8)
Failure/delay in referral248 (4)
Not performed229 (4)
Performed when not indicated or contraindicated227 (4)
No medical misadventure208 (4)
Delay in performance156 (3)
Failure/delay in admission to hospital142 (2)
Failure to recognize a complication of treatment122 (2)
Other227 (4)