Top 5 States with the Highest Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Top 5 States with the Highest Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

Medical-Legal Blog
Malpractice claims have long been a serious problem for the medical industry.  The public and litigious legal professionals have long considered physicians and their employers lucrative targets when serious health events occur.  Despite the fact that almost half of all malpractice claims are dismissed, and only about 5 percent result in a trial judgment, many people are hoping for a big payout at the expense of a medical professional. However, where you practice can put you at a higher risk of being sued. If you are about to establish your practice or take up a new position, it is important to understand the legal environment of your new state.  Almost half of all states have passed laws that limit compensation for economic or non-economic damages—i.e. pain and suffering—which has helped…
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How to Choose the Right Medical Malpractice Expert Witness

How to Choose the Right Medical Malpractice Expert Witness

Medical-Legal Blog
The 3 most important factors to consider when hiring a medical expert witness If you are heading into a malpractice trial, you will quickly find a wide array of choices for medical malpractice expert witnesses. You’ll also find that the cost of this service varies greatly, making it a very difficult decision for most.  So how do you choose the right medical expert witness for your case? Here are the 3 most important factors to consider before making your decision. You Get What You Pay For Should you go with the more respected medical expert who charges exorbitant fees or someone with more reasonable fees but with less distinguished credentials? Some experts may charge up to $1,000 an hour, so hiring a witness is a pricy investment. There are many…
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Top 3 Medical Specialties with Highest Malpractice Risk

Top 3 Medical Specialties with Highest Malpractice Risk

Medical-Legal Blog
Malpractice lawsuits are much more than a common occurrence in medicine; they are practically a fixture of the medical profession.  If you practice long enough, you will eventually be sued.  According to the American Medical Association, five percent of physicians are the subject of malpractice suits each year.  There is however significant variation in the likelihood of a malpractice claim based on specialty. While neurosurgery has the highest malpractice risk, with a 19.1 percent risk annually, the lowest risk specialty was psychiatry with just a 2.6 percent annual risk. These figures were taken from a RAND study of 41,000 physicians from 1991 to 2005. There are many legal justifications for these lawsuits, but the most common included: Improper diagnosis- 31% Abnormal injury to patient- 31% Failure to treat- 12% Neurosurgery…
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