Understanding Medical Malpractice Risks

Physicians face medical malpractice lawsuits with varying frequency depending on their specialties, yet most will never pay out-of-pocket for claims due to robust liability insurance coverage. Research indicates that, over the course of their careers, the average physician will face approximately 0.35 paid claims, with certain high-risk specialties like surgery and OB/GYN exceeding one claim. Despite the low likelihood of personal liability, the pervasive fear of malpractice suits greatly influences physicians' practices. This anxiety around medical liability underscores the significance of reforming malpractice standards to enhance both physician confidence and patient care.