Verdicts & News | PPM - Medical Professional Liability Insurance

A Medicolegal Primer for Anesthesiologists

June 6, 2025

This article from the May 2025 issue of the ASA Monitor features coauthor Brian Thomas, PPM’s Vice President – Claims & Risk Management. The article provides an overview of key legal concepts and considerations relevant to anesthesia professionals, aimed at educating anesthesiologists on how to navigate medicolegal challenges, reduce liability risks, and understand the legal implications of clinical decisions. The article also discusses tort reform, malpractice claims, and strategies for legal preparedness throughout every stage of perioperative care.

News Archive

4/1/2024	PPM Obtains 20th Consecutive Defense Verdict in Arizona, 3rd within 4-Month Period Jury returns unanimous defense verdict for anesthesiologist accused of neglecting to postpone emergent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
2/3/2024	Mr. Chris Edwards joins PPM as Senior Claims Professional and Risk Advisor Preferred Physicians Medical (PPM), industry-leading provider of professional liability insurance for anesthesia practices, announced today that Chris Edwards, JD, recently joined PPM in the position of Senior Claims Professional and Risk Advisor.
12/12/2022	Utah Unanimous Defense Verdict After Intraoperative Burn Jury rejects allegations that anesthesiologist was responsible for warming pad burn
9/15/2022	PPM’s Vice President – Risk Management Reelected to Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation Board of Directors Thomas continues to serve on the APSF Board of Directors, Editorial Board, and Corporate Advisory Council
7/11/2022	Unanimous Defense Verdict in Utah after “Never Event” Jury rejects allegations that anesthesiologist was responsible for OR team in preventing patient fall.
6/1/2022	PPM Vice President - Risk Management Chairs APSF Task Force on Criminalization of Medical Error Brian J. Thomas, JD leads Task Force in drafting APSF Position Statement on Criminalization of Medical Error and Call for Action to Prevent Patient Harm from Error
5/16/2022	Unanimous Defense Verdict in New York after COVID-19 Mistrial Jury rejects allegations that anesthesiologist failed to properly monitor patient and delayed resuscitation.
4/4/2022	Missouri Unanimous Defense Verdict Jury rejects out-of-state prolific plaintiffs’ expert’s unsupported opinions and testimony
11/16/2021	PPM Announces Claims Staff Addition Ms. Judy Simon joins PPM as Senior Claims Attorney.
4/13/2021	PPM Conducts 500th Risk Management Seminar Milestone marks continued commitment to patient safety and risk management.
2/10/2021	PPM Vice President-Risk Management co-authors article in APSF Newsletter Brian J. Thomas, JD co-authors article on enhancing a culture of patient safety.
10/5/2020	Updates to PPM Board of Directors Robert Edwards, MD elected as Chair and Ian Kallmeyer, MD joins PPM Board of Directors.
6/17/2020	PPM Contributes to APSF Newsletter Article Recent publication of “Cardiopulmonary Sentinel Event During Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): Oversedation or Gas Embolism?”
1/15/2020	Virginia Unanimous Defense Verdict Jury found PPM insureds’ testimony compelling over out-of-state expert’s nitpicking of code records
9/4/2019	Brian Thomas Elected to Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation Board of Directors Thomas to serve on both the Board of Directors and Editorial Board
4/19/2019	Directed Verdict in Arizona Wrongful Death Trial Judge ruled reasonable jurors could not find anesthesiologist’s care constituted medical negligence.
3/5/2019	Missouri Unanimous Defense Verdict Jury rejected contention that CRNA failed to properly recognize and respond to respiratory arrest.
11/21/2018	New York Defense Verdict Jury rejected theory that medications were contraindicated and caused cardiac arrest.
10/8/2018	Missouri Unanimous Defense Verdict Jury agreed supervising anesthesiologist was not required to be present for leak test.
6/4/2018	New York Wrongful Death Defense Verdict Jury agreed the risk of postponing an emergency surgery for a critically ill patient outweighed the risks of proceeding.
2/2/2018	PPM Secures 44th Consecutive Upper Extremity Nerve Damage Verdict Court recognized upper extremity nerve injuries can occur absent negligence.
1/25/2018	PPM Contributes to ASA Monitor Article Recent publication of “Distractions in the O.R.”