Orthopaedic specialists and family physicians practic ing in skiing communities are faced with unavoidable, stringent, and expanding legal responsibilities to properly manage ski trauma. Their legal obligations apply to each component of clinical case manage ment : (1) diagnosis; (2) treatment; and (3) rehabilita tion. Neither medically nor legally is any one aspect less critical than another.
Concomitant with accelerating rates of participation in sports, it is clear that the law is demanding more from specialists and also primary care physicians whose practice is increasingly involving musculoskel etal athletic injuries.
The legal responsibilities and liabilities of both gen eralists and specialists are extensively reviewed in this report. The principles apply to the management of all athletic trauma by physicians.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Adkins v Ropp 14 NE2d 727 (Ind 1938), Pike v Honsinger, 49 NE 760 (NY 1898)
2.
Belk v Schweizer 149 SE2d 565 (NC 1966) Rule v Cheeseman 317 P 2d 472 (Kan 1957)
3.
Berlin L. Does the missed radiographic diagnosis constitute malpractice? Radiology123523-527, 1977
4.
Bradshaw v Wilson, 94 NE2d 706 (Ohio 1950)
5.
Bruce v United States 167 FSupp 579 (DC Cal 1958), Kartus v Jensen, 237 NW2d 845 (Neb 1976)
6.
Curran W., Shapiro E. Law, Medicine and Forensic Science Second Edition, Little Brown & Co , Boston, 1970, pp 529-600
7.
D. Ambrosia R Musculoskeletal Disorders JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1977 , p 19
8.
Darling v Charleston Community Hospital, 211 NE2d 253 (III 1965)
9.
Dees v Pace, 257 P2d 756 (Cal 1953), Odum v Cejas, 510 SW2d 218 (Mo 1974), Robertson v LaCroix, 534 P2d 17 (Okla 1975), Riedisser v Nelson, 534 P2d 1052 (Ariz 1975)
10.
Dubois v Decker, 130 NY 325, 19 NE 313 (1891)
11.
Ellison A. Skiing injuries Clin Symp291-40, 1977
12.
Enksson E.: Symposium on ski trauma and skiing safety Orthop Clin North Am 7 3-58, 167-251
13.
Figueras JM: Skiing safety II Fifth International Series On Sport Sciences University Park Press, Baltimore, 1976, 5-139, 232-244
14.
Gonzales v Peterson, 359 P2d 307 (Wash 1961); Vann v Harden, 187 Va 555, 47 SE2d 314, Livingston v Portland General Hospital Association 225 Or 416, 357 P2d 543
15.
Green v Larkm, 245 NW2d 454 (Minn 1976)
16.
Hansen v Thelan, 173 NW 457 (1919), Galloway v Lawrence, 145 SE2d 861 (NC 1966), Green v Louisiana, 309 So2d 706 (La 1975)
17.
Hirsh H. Family physician for whom the bell tolls Leg Med Q3242-245,1979
18.
Holder A. Alternative medical procedures JAMA, 212385-386, 1970
19.
Holder A. Liability in tight cast cases JAMA, 2171767-1768, 1971
20.
Holder A. Guarantee of medical results JAMA, 219431-432, 1972
21.
Holder A. Misdiagnosis without fault. Part I JAMA, 219967-968, 1972; Part II , 2191127-1128, 1972
22.
Holder A. Liability for gas gangrene JAMA, 2211083-1084, 1972
Holder A. Failure to take a medical history JAMA, 226509-510, 1974
25.
Holder A. Medical Malpractice Law Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons, NY, 1978, pp 43-136
26.
Holder A. Medical malpractice—negligence in post-operative care of patient , 26 POF 2d, 183-223
27.
Johnson RJ, Pope MH Tibial shaft fractures in skiing Am J Sports Med549-62, 1977
28.
Johnson RJ Upper extremity injuries in skiing Presented at the Fourth International Conference on Ski Trauma and Skiing Safety, Bormio-Stelvio , Italy, June 7-12, 1981
29.
Larsen v Yelle 246 NW2d 841 (Minn 1976)
30.
Lewis v Read, 193 A2d 255 (NJ 1963), Dmner v Thorpe, 338 P2d 137 (Wash 1959)
31.
Linquist v Dengal, 20 Wash App 630, 581 P2d 177
32.
Marlow v Gnno, 313 A2d 505 (Md 1974)
33.
McCoid J.: The care required of medical practitioners Vand L Rev12549, 1959
34.
Morgan v Engels, 127 NW2d 382 (Mich 1964), Tveldt v Haugen, 294 NW 183 (ND 1940)
35.
Murphy v Little, 145 SE2d 760 (Ga 1965); Brune v Belinkoff, 235 NE2d 793 (Mass 1968)
36.
O'Donoghue D.: Treatment Of Injuries To Athletes Third Edition, WB Saunders, Philadelphia 1976, p 7 37 O Hern VM Liability of referring physician JAMA, 204273-274, 1968
37.
O'Hern VM Duty to refer patient to orthopaedic specialist JAMA , 204249-250, 1968
38.
Prosser W. The Law Of Torts Fourth Edition, West Publishers , St Paul, 1971,pp 161-166
39.
Qualls v Graham General Hospital, 535 SW2d 932 (Tex 1976)
40.
Rosensweig v State, 208 Misc 1065, 146 NYS2d 589 (1955), Speed v State, 240 NW2d 901 (lowa 1976)
41.
Ryan A., Allman F.: Sports Medicine, Academic Press, NY 1974, pp 307-348
42.
Shealy JE Statistical analysis of ski injuries in the U S 1978-1980 Presented at the Fourth International Conference on Ski Trauma and Skiing Safety, Bormio-Stelvio, Italy, June 7-12, 1981
43.
Simonaitis JE Guarantee of medical results JAMA, 219431-432, 1972
44.
Small v Howard, 128 Mass 131 (1880)
45.
Tinker RV Orthopaedics In Primary Care Williams & Wilkins , Baltimore, 1979,pp 206-306
46.
Tomei v Henning, 431 P2d 633 (Cal 1967), Gerhart v Freseno Medical Group, 31 Cal 633 (Cal 1963), Haines v Ebert, 187 NE2d 522 (Ohio 1961)
47.
Weistart J., Lowell C. The Law Of Sports Bobbs-Merrill, Charlottesville, 1979,pp 984-996
48.
Welch v Dunsmuir Joint Union High School District, 326 P2d 633 (Cal App 1958)
49.
Zernicke RF Biomechanical evaluation of bilateral spiral fractures during skiing Med Sci Sports13243-245, 1981
