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Iatrogenic Causalgia: Title and subTitle BreakLegal Implications

H. Richard Beresford, MD, JD
Arch Neurol. 1984;41(8):819-820. doi:10.1001/archneur.1984.04050190025007
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An article in this issue1 describes several patients in whom causalgia developed following surgery, intramuscular injections, or venipuncture. Horowitz has emphasized the legal implications of these neural injuries, and it requires no great leap of imagination to envision the outcome of a lawsuit asserting iatrogenic causalgia. It may be easy to show that the injury should not have occurred, and the potential is great for a large monetary recovery. Causalgia is a source of profound suffering and, as Horowitz has shown, may be incapacitating or may even evoke suicidal behavior. Fortunately for patients and physicians, iatrogenic neuropathies infrequently have such devastating effects. But the article is a cautionary tale.

In a lawsuit alleging iatrogenic causalgia, a claimant must prove by medical testimony that the nerve injury was caused by negligent conduct. This means that a knowledgeable physician must express an opinion that the defendant failed to observe reasonable

REFERENCES

Horowitz SH:  Iatrogenic causalgia: Classification, clinical findings, and legal ramifications . Arch Neurol 1984;;41:821-824.
Philadelphia v Shapiro, 206 A2d 308 (Pa 1965). [This case is published in volume 206 of Atlantic Reports, second series, beginning at page 308. It was decided by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1965.]
Keeton RE:  Compensation for medical accidents . Penn Law Rev 1973;;121:590-612.
Reder MW:  Medical malpractice: An economist's view . Am Bar Found Res J 1976;;1:511-563.
Danzon PM: The Frequency and Severity of Medical Malpractice Claims . Santa Monica, Calif, Rand Corp, 1983;.
Karp v Cooley, 493 F2d 408 (Fifth Cir 1974). [This case is published in volume 493 of the Federal Register, second series, beginning at page 408. It was decided by the US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, in 1974.]

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Horowitz SH:  Iatrogenic causalgia: Classification, clinical findings, and legal ramifications . Arch Neurol 1984;;41:821-824.
Philadelphia v Shapiro, 206 A2d 308 (Pa 1965). [This case is published in volume 206 of Atlantic Reports, second series, beginning at page 308. It was decided by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in 1965.]
Keeton RE:  Compensation for medical accidents . Penn Law Rev 1973;;121:590-612.
Reder MW:  Medical malpractice: An economist's view . Am Bar Found Res J 1976;;1:511-563.
Danzon PM: The Frequency and Severity of Medical Malpractice Claims . Santa Monica, Calif, Rand Corp, 1983;.
Karp v Cooley, 493 F2d 408 (Fifth Cir 1974). [This case is published in volume 493 of the Federal Register, second series, beginning at page 408. It was decided by the US Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, in 1974.]

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