Laryngology Litigation in the United States: Thirty Years in Review

Objectives/Hypothesis: Malpractice claims pertaining to laryngology procedures are a potentially important source of information that could be used to minimize the risk of future litigation and improve patient care. Study Design: A retrospective review of two publicly available databases containing jury verdicts and settlements. Methods: The LexisNexis Jury Verdicts and Settlements and Westlaw Next legal databases were reviewed for all lawsuits and out-of-court adjudications related to the practice of laryngology. Data including patient demographics, type of surgery performed, plaintiff allegation, nature of injury, outcomes, and indemnities were collected and analyzed. Results: Of 87 cases meeting inclusion criteria, 56 were decided by a jury and 31 were adjudicated out of court. Vocal cord surgery was the most commonly litigated surgery. The two most commonly cited legal allegations were physical injury and negligence. No statistical difference for legal outcome was found when death or vocal cord injuries occurred. Complications in procedures that utilized a laser predicted an unfavorable outcome (P = 0.013). A payout was made in over one-half of cases, but defendants were favored in over two-thirds of cases decided by a jury. The average indemnities were significant for both jury verdicts ($ 4.6 million) and out-of-court settlements ($0.9 million). Conclusion: An awareness of laryngology malpractice litigation has the potential to provide better patient care and help laryngologists avoid potential risks for litigation. The factors determining legal responsibility in laryngology cases underscore the importance of close communication with anesthesiologists and careful evaluation of hoarseness in all patients regardless of risk factors.