Malpractice insurance for Cardiothoracic Surgeons

Insurance is a critical safeguard for cardiothoracic surgeons, providing financial and legal protection against the unpredictable challenges of their demanding specialty. Medical malpractice insurance is indispensable, covering claims of negligence, errors, or complications arising during surgery. General liability insurance offers additional coverage for non-medical incidents, such as injuries occurring on clinic premises, while cyber liability insurance protects against breaches of sensitive patient information.

Many hospitals and licensing boards require cardiothoracic surgeons to carry specific types of insurance to maintain surgical privileges and compliance. By securing robust coverage, cardiothoracic surgeons can focus on delivering high-quality care to their patients, confident that they are protected from the financial and legal risks inherent in their profession.

Malpractice Insurance for Cardiothoracic Surgeons can include:

Specialized coverage for heart, lung, and thoracic cavity surgeries.
Includes valve replacements, CABG, VAD implantation, and lung resections.
Covers anesthesia, ICU recovery, bypass equipment failure, and infection control.
Protection against allegations of surgical error, misdiagnosis, or post-op complications.
Staff liability for critical care teams, perfusionists, surgical assistants, and nurses.
High-limit policies available up to $1M/$3M, with tail coverage options.

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Why do Cardiothoracic Surgeons need Insurance?

Cardiothoracic surgeons face a range of challenges that necessitate the need for malpractice or liability insurance. Given the high-risk nature of their work and the complexity of the procedures involved, these surgeons are particularly vulnerable to potential lawsuits. Here’s where they are most likely to be sued for malpractice:

Surgical Errors: Due to the complexity and the critical nature of cardiothoracic surgeries, any error can have severe consequences, including patient disability or death. Errors could include mistakes in surgical technique, wrong-side surgery, or leaving surgical instruments inside the patient.
Postoperative Complications: Cardiothoracic surgeries can lead to a range of postoperative complications, such as infections, bleeding, heart failure, or lung problems. Surgeons can be held liable if it is perceived that these complications were due to poor surgical technique or inadequate postoperative care.
Failure to Obtain Informed Consent: Cardiothoracic surgeons must ensure that patients or their families fully understand the potential risks and benefits of surgery. Failure to obtain proper informed consent can result in legal action if patients suffer unexpected complications or if the surgical outcome does not meet their expectations.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis: Misdiagnosing a patient’s condition or failing to diagnose it timely can lead to inappropriate or delayed treatment. For example, a delayed diagnosis of a cardiac condition that could have been treated more effectively if caught earlier can lead to legal claims.
Failure to Manage Pre-existing Conditions: Patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery often have complex pre-existing conditions. Surgeons need to manage these effectively before, during, and after surgery. Failure to do so can exacerbate these conditions and lead to claims of malpractice.
Improper Patient Management: This can include failures in preoperative planning or postoperative follow-up, lack of coordination with other healthcare providers, or inadequate response to emergencies.
Failure to Communicate: Effective communication with patients and their families is crucial, especially when conveying the risks associated with surgery and the expected recovery process. Miscommunications can lead to unmet expectations and potential lawsuits.
Anesthesia Complications: While typically the responsibility of anesthesiologists, surgeons are part of the broader surgical team and may share liability if issues with anesthesia contribute to patient harm.

Malpractice or liability insurance provides financial protection against claims of negligence or malpractice, covering legal defense costs, settlements, and judgments. For cardiothoracic surgeons, this insurance is crucial for mitigating the financial risks associated with the high stakes of their surgical interventions.

Westwood Insurance work with a number of different carriers to source the most suitable insurance for surgeons at the best price. Contact us today.

Find out more about the cost of malpractice insurance for surgeons and other FAQs.

Major cardiovascular surgeries: CABG (coronary artery bypass), valve repair/replacement, thoracic aneurysm repair, and pericardiectomies.
Lung resections, lobectomies, mediastinal mass removals, and esophageal surgeries.
Coverage for prescribing medications and monitoring chronic conditions, including associated liability.
Defense for perioperative mortality, device failure, surgical site infection, or stroke.
Anesthesia-related complications and ICU/recovery room oversights.
Staff coverage for perfusionists, surgical teams, anesthesiologists, and cardiovascular ICU support.
Optional retroactive coverage and high-limit defense outside the policy limits.
With limits up to $1 million per claim / $3 million aggregate, this policy is tailored for high-acuity surgical specialists practicing in academic, trauma, or private facilities