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Tort reform and caesarean deliveries

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  • Alfredo G. Esposto

Abstract

This study examines the effects of state-level, tort law reforms on the rate of caesarean deliveries in the United States. The central thesis focuses on the rate of caesarean deliveries as an indicator of defensive medicine and the role, if any, of legal reform. Specifically, if physicians reduce their level of defensive medicine in the wake of liability reforms, this will show up as a reduction in the share of births in which a caesarean section was used. I discover after analysing panel data reflecting the rate of caesarean deliveries by states and for the years 1987, 1990 and 1993 that differences in rate of caesarean deliveries are partially the result of state-level liability reforms. The results provide further evidence of the existence of defensive medicine and of the impact of the legal environment on physician's choice of medical procedures.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfredo G. Esposto, 2012. "Tort reform and caesarean deliveries," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(12), pages 1171-1174, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:apeclt:v:19:y:2012:i:12:p:1171-1174
    DOI: 10.1080/13504851.2011.617683
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    Cited by:

    1. Castro, Massimo Finocchiaro & Ferrara, Paolo Lorenzo & Guccio, Calogero & Lisi, Domenico, 2019. "Medical malpractice liability and physicians’ behavior: Experimental evidence," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 646-666.
    2. Bertoli, Paola & Grembi, Veronica, 2019. "Malpractice risk and medical treatment selection," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 22-35.
    3. Finocchiaro Castro, Massimo & Ferrara, Paolo Lorenzo & Guccio, Calogero & Lisi, Domenico, 2021. "Optimal mixed payment system and medical liability. A laboratory study," MPRA Paper 110276, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Philip DeCicca & Maripier Isabelle & Natalie Malak, 2024. "How do physicians respond to new medical research?," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(10), pages 2206-2228, October.
    5. Castro, M.F.; & Ferrara, P.; & Guccio, C.; & Lisi, D.;, 2018. "Medical Malpractice Liability and Physicians’ Behavior:Experimental Evidence," Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers 18/11, HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York.

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