Los Angeles Times: Malpractice Payouts Have Not Soared, Reports Say

Los Angeles Times: Malpractice Payouts Have Not Soared, Reports Say: "Malpractice Payouts Have Not Soared, Reports Say
The two studies suggest jury awards have little to do with skyrocketing liability insurance rates.
By Lisa Girion
Times Staff Writer

June 1, 2005

There may be a medical malpractice crisis, but studies released Tuesday suggested that jackpot jury awards were not the cause.

Many doctors blame such judgments for skyrocketing insurance premiums. But the average malpractice claim payout rose about 4% a year from 1991 to 2003, according to a study published online by the academic journal Health Affairs."