Medical Malpractice Statistics

A recent study conducted by the watchdog group Public Citizen concluded that the civil medical liability system produces rational results. Key findings of the study include the following:

• The number of malpractice payments declined 15.4 percent between 1991 and 2005.
• The average annual payment for malpractice verdicts declined 8 percent between 1991 and 2005.
• Payments for million dollar verdicts were less than 3 percent of all payments in 2005.

Overall, the study concluded that the evidence shows the current medical malpractice system works reasonably well. Patients with minor injuries receive little compensation, while the bulk of malpractice awards occur in cases involving severe, permanent, and debilitating injuries or death.

Click here to view the entire report.