Fig. 2. Outcomes in neuraxial anesthesia: obstetric  versus nonobstetric claims, 1980–1999. Claims for obstetric and nonobstetric neuraxial anesthesia were grouped according to severity of injury: temporary, permanent nerve injury, and death or brain damage. The proportion of death or brain damage (15%  vs. 32%) and the proportion of permanent nerve injury claims (10%  vs. 26%) were lower in the obstetric neuraxial claims compared with the nonobstetric group, respectively. The proportion of temporary injury claims was higher in the obstetric neuraxial group compared with the nonobstetric group (71%  vs. 38%, respectively). Other permanent injuries accounted for 4% (n = 13) of obstetric neuraxial claims and 4% (n = 20) of nonobstetric claims (data not shown). *  P ≤ 0.01.