May 7, 2025 by matray

Below are some headlines and article synopses from the May 2025 issue of Medical Liability Monitor. To read the articles in their entirety, please subscribe today.

Pregnancy-Related Deaths Surge Nearly 28% in U.S., Widening Racial and Geographic Disparities
A new national analysis published in JAMA Network Open last month reveals a 27.7% surge in pregnancy-related deaths in the United States between 2018 and 2022, highlighting urgent public health concerns and persistent disparities by race, socioeconomic status and geography. As maternal mortality rates climb — especially in states with under-resourced healthcare systems and enduring racial, socioeconomic and geographic inequities — claims related to obstetric and postpartum care can be expected to increase in both frequency and severity …

CARE RRG Placed into Rehabilitation by Vermont Court
The Vermont Superior Court for Washington County last month ordered CARE Risk Retention Group into rehabilitation due to concerns over the medical professional liability insurer’s “hazardous financial condition” …

AM Best Maintains ‘Stable’ Outlook for Medical Professional Liability Segment
AM Best is maintaining its “Stable” outlook for the U.S. medical professional liability insurance segment in 2025, citing strong capital positions, favorable investment conditions and the industry’s proven resilience amid a complex operating environment …

Medical Societies Urge Ohio Supreme Court to Review Reversal of Defense Verdict in Malpractice Case
The Ohio State Medical Association, American Medical Association, Ohio Hospital Association and Ohio Osteopathic Association filed an amicus curiae memorandum last month urging the Supreme Court of Ohio to accept jurisdiction over the appeal in Rau v. Miami Valley Hospital et al. The Court of Appeals of Ohio 2nd Appellate District reversed a defense verdict on Jan. 3, citing prejudicial error by the trial court in admitting evidence related to informed consent, discussions of specific procedural risks and cumulative expert testimony …

Calif. AG Warns Insurers to Comply with Law Protecting MedMal Coverage for Reproductive, Gender-Affirming Care
California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently sent letters to 15 medical professional liability insurance companies, reminding them of their obligations under Assembly Bill 571 and requesting copies of their policies to demonstrate compliance with the law. AB 571 provides protections for California healthcare providers who offer often-contentious services such as abortion, contraception and gender-affirming care …

Missouri Jury Awards Record $48.1M Verdict in Birth Injury Case
A St. Louis County jury recently awarded the largest medical malpractice verdict in Missouri history for an infant neurologically injured at birth. The $48.1 million verdict surpassed the previous record of $34.1 million set in a 2021 case against CoxHealth Hospital in Springfield, Mo. …

Subscribe today to get this issue (as well as the 2024 and 2025 Annual Rate Survey at no additional cost).

May 7, 2025 by matray

Lockton announced that Ethan Crain and Rebecca Cady have joined the company to co-lead its national Healthcare Practice, underscoring the broker's continued investment in industry specialization and commitment to serving the healthcare industry.

“Rapidly evolving regulations, threats to federal funding and reimbursement, uncertainty around supply chain and continued workforce challenges are threatening the ability of healthcare organizations to deliver consistent high-quality care,” said Chris DiLullo, Lockton’s U.S. Industry Practices Leader. “Ethan and Rebecca’s expertise positions us to address the multifaceted challenges facing healthcare today. Their focus on advancing our capabilities places Lockton at the forefront of advice around industry trends, helping clients manage risk, and deliver better outcomes that align with a rapidly changing environment.”

Crain joins Lockton from Marsh, where he most recently served as a managing director for its Healthcare Practice in the Northeast. He has spent more than 25 years working with healthcare clients and leading teams of brokers who provide solutions for complex insurance needs across all areas of risk in the healthcare industry. He is a multi-year Risk & Insurance Power Broker winner and sits on the board of directors of The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare.

Cady joins Lockton as an accomplished healthcare legal and risk management expert. She most recently served as chief risk officer at Children’s National Hospital and previously had a distinguished legal career at Grace Hollis Lowe Hanson & Schaefer. Rebecca is a former president of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) and has been recognized as a Business Insurance Women to Watch, ASHRM Risk Manager of the Year, Risk & Insurance All Star and RIMS Risk Manager of the Year.

“Lockton has always been dedicated to serving the healthcare industry,” Crain said. “Today’s healthcare organizations are being asked to do more with less, and I look forward to building on our deep bench of healthcare industry talent and continuing to help clients solve their key challenges.”

Cady added, “This is an exciting opportunity to bring the voice of the client to the industry. Lockton’s private ownership, commitment to client service, and culture of empowerment enable us to offer specialized solutions for healthcare organizations.”

Crain will be based in Boston and Cady will be based in Washington, D.C. Both will report to Chris DiLullo.