Across the world, and especially in the United States, medical professionals are sued by patients and their loved ones claiming medical malpractice. Medical malpractice is defined as “any act or omission by a physician during treatment of a patient that deviates from accepted norms of practice in the medical community and causes an injury to the patient.” This means that any medical patient who feels they have been injured or received insufficient treatment by a medical professional has the right to take legal action.
And, according to the American Medical Association (AMA), one in three physicians has been sued or experienced legal action against them under a medical malpractice lawsuit.
While it’s clear that medical malpractice claims may not be rare in the medical field, is there a specific type of medical professional that is sued more than others? Let’s take a look at some studies, reports, and testimonials in a deep dive to see which type of doctor most often faces medical malpractice claims and why.
Unfortunately, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death in the United States, contributing to over 250,00 deaths, making up 9.5% of all deaths in the U.S. Therefore, it is clear that medical malpractice claims are not to be taken lightly.
There are several ways that medical professionals can find themselves in a legal battle, although there are a select few specific types of lawsuits that doctors and other professionals typically encounter. In a Medscape Surgeon Malpractice Report, from a pool of 4,300 physicians from 29 specialties, the top causes of medical malpractice lawsuits included:
Although any medical professional can be held liable for medical malpractice, in a 2023 report of 22 different physician specialties, it became clear that some medical personnel were more likely to be sued than others depending on their specialty.
The results from the study demonstrate the percentage of medical practitioners who have been involved in a medical malpractice case and their corresponding specialty.
Ultimately, as shown by the data, it’s no surprise that surgeons are the most often sued professionals in the medical field with 90% of surgeon participants having been involved in a legal dispute regarding medical malpractice. This is due to the complexity of their field of work and the great risks associated with undergoing a surgical procedure, leaving them most susceptible to medical malpractice claims whether they are warranted or not.
The doctor’s practice location also has a significant effect on the likelihood of a doctor being sued for malpractice. However, the number of medical negligence lawsuits in any state hinges on a number of variables, such as the extent of tort reform, the litigation culture, the number of physicians practicing in the state, and patient demographics. Recent research shows that the top 10 states for medical malpractice lawsuits include:
As it turns out, the age, gender, race, and location of a doctor do impact the rate of malpractice claims. Research by large malpractice insurance carriers shows that claims against physicians can vary based on several factors which include:
If you or someone you know has recently suffered an injury that may be medical negligence resulting in injury or death, speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Grand Rapids injury lawyer immediately to protect your interests or those of your loved one.
Buchanan Firm has medical professionals who are available to immediately investigate your claim to determine if the deviation was caused by medical negligence.
Our Grand Rapids medical malpractice lawyers proudly serve people all across Michigan, including major cities and small communities. Call or contact us today.