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. …

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