True Cost of Medical Malpractice Lawsuits – It May Surprise You

A new study reveals that the cost of medical malpractice lawsuits in the US is running at about $55.6 billion a year. The $45.6 billion of which is spent on defensive medicine practiced by physicians seeking to stay clear of lawsuits. The amount comprises 2.4% of the nation’s total health care expenditure.

The numbers are the result of a Harvard School of Public Health study published in the September edition of Health Affairs, purporting to be the most reliable estimate of malpractice costs to date. Some of the more vocal opponents to health care reform have long argued that doing away with medical malpractice lawsuits would go a long way towards solving a major cost problem in the system. Given the small percentage of the health care dollar spent on medical malpractice issues that would hardly appear to be the case.

Medical Malpractice, A Crime or a Mistake

Doctors are the source of hope when masses come across ailments, and when expectation level raises so does the responsibility. But how many times do we see that a doctor has been accused of negligence while taking care of a medical case. Doctors are humans, and we all have our off days don’t we? No doctor in any part of the US comes into the medical room with an intention to cause harm or damage to any of its patient. They are always looking to help people and reduce the suffering of humanity.