A recent study by the American Medical Association found that while only about 5 percent of physicians are sued each year, 42.2 percent of all physicians have had a medical malpractice claim made against them during their career.
The report, "Medical Liability Claim Frequency: A 2007-2008 Snapshot of Physicians," which is based on 2007-2008 data from the AMA's Physician Practice Information survey, suggests that claim frequency varies greatly by specialty, age and ownership. The risk of having a claim filed increases with age — 60.5 percent of physicians 55 and over have had malpractice claims filed against them, compared to only 45.3 percent in the 40-54 age range. Women are also less likely to be sued, with only 23.9 percent of female physicians facing claims during their career, compared to 47.5 percent of men.
OB/GYN physicians and general surgeons are most likely have claims filed against them with 69.2 percent of physicians in both specialties facing suits during their careers. Pediatricians and psychiatrists were the least likely, with 27.3 percent and 22.2 percent facing claims during their careers, respectively.
Read the AMA's report on medical malpractice claims.
Read more coverage on medical malpractice:
- Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Claims Decrease Over Last Ten Years
- Michigan Supreme Court Divided on Medical Malpractice Rule Changes
The report, "Medical Liability Claim Frequency: A 2007-2008 Snapshot of Physicians," which is based on 2007-2008 data from the AMA's Physician Practice Information survey, suggests that claim frequency varies greatly by specialty, age and ownership. The risk of having a claim filed increases with age — 60.5 percent of physicians 55 and over have had malpractice claims filed against them, compared to only 45.3 percent in the 40-54 age range. Women are also less likely to be sued, with only 23.9 percent of female physicians facing claims during their career, compared to 47.5 percent of men.
OB/GYN physicians and general surgeons are most likely have claims filed against them with 69.2 percent of physicians in both specialties facing suits during their careers. Pediatricians and psychiatrists were the least likely, with 27.3 percent and 22.2 percent facing claims during their careers, respectively.
Read the AMA's report on medical malpractice claims.
Read more coverage on medical malpractice:
- Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Claims Decrease Over Last Ten Years
- Michigan Supreme Court Divided on Medical Malpractice Rule Changes