A new analysis of neurology claims closed from 2019–2023 shows that 31% ended with an indemnity payment and the average payout was about $427,000. The top allegation was diagnostic error, followed by procedural and medication issues—confirmation that neurology remains a high-severity, lower-frequency specialty in malpractice. The dataset and figures were summarized this month by MedCentral from the MPL Association’s Data Sharing Project.
Within those claims, acute stroke care is the flashpoint. Recent peer-reviewed reviews of stroke litigation—including cases involving mechanical thrombectomy—find that suits more often allege failure to treat or delays in treatment than injuries caused by the procedure itself. Root causes frequently include delayed vascular imaging, communication breakdowns, and transport lags between facilities. When cases defend successfully, records typically show precise timing (onset estimates, door-to-CT, door-to-decision) and the documented rationale for giving—or withholding—tPA/MT.
The other persistent exposure is the long timeline to diagnose ALS, MS, or Parkinson’s disease. Because no single definitive test exists, allegations often hinge on incomplete initial assessments, under-ordered diagnostics, or follow-up that did not keep pace with evolving symptoms—patterns echoed in the new closed-claim review and by specialty risk advisers. Building a visible differential, a concrete next-test plan, and short-interval rechecks creates a defensible paper trail when outcomes worsen over months.
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