May 15, 2013

Last year, medical malpractice payouts from across the United States totaled $3.6 billion. Now, a new study has shown that a significant portion of that money came from Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawsuits.

According to The Clinical Advisor, the study examined information that was culminated in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Practitioner Data Bank. Researchers found that a medical malpractice payout was given in the country last year every 43 minutes. Pennsylvania ranked as the state with the second highest payout total in the nation, accounting more than $316 million of the national total.

More than half of all claims were brought against doctors as a result of botched surgeries, treatments, and deliveries. Another 33 percent of claims were filed due to a doctor’s misdiagnosis of a patient’s condition.

Data indicated that there was a direct correlation between the severity of a patient’s injury and the likelihood of a medical malpractice lawsuit resulting in a payout.

The study also highlighted an interesting trend in medical malpractice payouts. Researchers concluded that while the number of medical malpractice payouts has significantly increased in recent years, the average amount of a payout has continued to decrease.

The Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers with Lundy Law explain doctors have a legal responsibility to protect the health and safety of their patients. The firm may be able to help if you have been harmed while under the care of a physician.