Since Ohio passed and enacted a tort-reform law in 2003, medical malpractice claims have dropped more than 40 percent and payments declined roughly at the same rate, according to a Columbus Dispatch report.
From 2005 to 2010, the state's claims decreased by 41 percent and average payments decreased by 38 percent over that same time span. Physicians' medical malpractice rates have dropped by more than 26 percent.
The state's 2003 law capped non-economic damages for medical malpractice claims at $500,000 per occurrence along with other changes. This limit can make it impractical to pursue some malpractice cases. The legislation was enacted in response to physician complaints that malpractice claims and the increasing costs of malpractice insurance were forcing them to stop practicing in Ohio.
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From 2005 to 2010, the state's claims decreased by 41 percent and average payments decreased by 38 percent over that same time span. Physicians' medical malpractice rates have dropped by more than 26 percent.
The state's 2003 law capped non-economic damages for medical malpractice claims at $500,000 per occurrence along with other changes. This limit can make it impractical to pursue some malpractice cases. The legislation was enacted in response to physician complaints that malpractice claims and the increasing costs of malpractice insurance were forcing them to stop practicing in Ohio.
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