Maryland Medical Malpractice Attorney Blog
Medical malpractice verdicts are at historical new lows, according to Public Citizen. Their new report tracks malpractice verdicts from National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB). The NPDB began tracking medical malpractice payments in 1990. The number of malpractice payments made on behalf of doctors in 2010 was the lowest on record. The total number of payments made on behalf of doctors fell to 10,195 in 2010; down from a high of 16,566 in 2001.
No one is suggesting that there is 33% less medical malpractice than there was in 2001. Clearly, doctors and malpractice insurers are winning the public relations war, which is leading to lower verdicts and more damage caps. Will the tide turns again? Historically, the public’s tolerance for injustice to victims of malpractice and injury generally waxes and wanes.