Are Medical Malpractice Awards Really Out Of Control?

Jamie G. Goldstein

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 626

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Politicians and lobbyists are calling for tort reform and implementation of caps in medical malpractice cases because of skyrocketing malpractice insurance for doctors caused by outrageous awards. However, the truth is there is no crisis due to large awards. In fact over a 14 year period from 1991 - 2005, malpractice payments made as the result of judgments and settlements declined 15.4 percent. A recent review done by the Public Citizen reveals the truth behind the myth and what it really believes the problem is.

The Public Citizen believes,

The real problems are a lack of attention to patient safety, the high incidence of preventable medical error and the lack of accountability for a small set of doctors who account for a majority of medical malpractice payments, the report reveals.

The article goes on to explain that less serious injury claims are not winning big jury awards. It's the more severe claims where large awards are given and often deserved. Of those severe claims over 64 percent were for lawsuits involving significant injury or death. All the buzz may be about these outrageous awards, but if the injuries and actual events that caused the injuries were brought to light, people would begin to realize that the awards are fair and just.