Profession

Pa. to keep malpractice case count

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 9, 2004

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The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts has asked local courthouse officials to tally up how many medical malpractice cases were filed in the past four years and to report new cases as they are filed.

The state plans to use the data to help determine how medical malpractice lawsuits play into the medical liability insurance problems physicians are experiencing. Pennsylvania is one of 19 states that the AMA says is in the middle of an insurance crisis that has physicians retiring early, discontinuing high-risk services or relocating to other states because they cannot afford insurance or cannot find a carrier who will insure them.

Physicians say frivolous lawsuits and outrageous jury awards are to blame. Trial attorneys say reform needs to be focused on reducing medical errors.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2004/02/09/prbf0209.htm.

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