This article seeks to elucidate cases of maloccurrence that occur when a patient's diagnosis is not foreseeable. The eventuality of legal suit in such undiagnosable cases requires neurologists to make notes on patient charts that are accurate, clear, and show current reasoning if they are to be defensible in court.

Although neurological malpractice is relatively infrequent measured against the weight of cases occurring in orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery, the possibility of a high monetary award in settlement or adjudication for permanent clinical consequences of the malpractice is a major consideration.

The material for these cases is derived from actual hospital and office charts, the depositions of the various parties, and legal allegations and testimony at trial. The names of those involved and other identifying data have been redacted for reasons of sensitivity.