Technical report: Alternative dispute resolution in medical malpractice

The purpose of this technical report is to provide pediatricians with an un derstanding of past crises within the professional liability insurance indu stry, the difficulties of the tort system, and alternative strategies for r esolving malpractice disputes that have been applied to medical malpractice actions. Through this report, pediatricians will gain a technical understa nding of common alternative dispute resolution (ADR) strategies. The report explains the distinctions between various ADR methods in terms of process and outcome, risks and benefits, appropriateness to the nature of the dispu te, and long-term ramifications. By knowing these concepts, pediatricians f aced with malpractice claims will be better-equipped to participate in the decision-making with legal counsel on whether to settle, litigate, or explo re ADR options.