Medical Malpractice Risks by Specialty
Medical malpractice devastates tens of thousands of patients every single year, and that’s only counting the actual lawsuits filed. If you consider the amount of people who have been harmed by malpractice without even knowing it, the number is far higher. While any malpractice claims are possible in any specialty, some specialists are at far greater risk of malpractice lawsuits than others.
Have you suffered an injury, financial loss, or trauma as a result of medical malpractice in Southern California? If so, it’s time to talk to the team at DeWitt Algorri & Algorri. Our aggressive approach to personal injury claims has resulted in millions of dollars of settlements and jury verdicts for our clients, and we’re ready to bring our experience and expertise to your case. Take the first step now and call us at 1-855-WINNING (946-6464).
Complaints and Claims Are Inevitable
There’s a common misconception that only bad doctors or care providers are named in medical malpractice claims. However, the fact is that the majority of doctors across all specialties will be part of a malpractice claim at some point in their career. You cannot completely eliminate human error, so medical mistakes and lapses in judgment are always going to happen. Research indicates that by the age of 65, 75% of doctors in low-risk specialties have been named in a malpractice claim. In comparison, 99% of doctors in high-risk specialties have had a malpractice claim by the age of 65.
Outcomes Vary
However, not every claim actually results in a settlement or jury award. The same research referenced above also tracked how many claims led to payouts for injured victims. Over the course of the study, 78% of all medical malpractice claims filed did not lead to payments to claimants.
Additional research tracked how many claims were made in each specialty and how many of those claims were successful.
Specialties With the Highest Amount of Claims
This study uncovered the specialties in which doctors are most likely to be sued in any given year. Top contenders include neurosurgery, thoracic-cardiovascular surgery, general surgery, orthopedic surgery, and plastic surgery. Specialties that aren’t exclusively surgical in nature in the high-risk group include obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, and urology.
The specialists with the lowest risk of being sued include psychiatrists, pediatricians, and general practitioners.
This division of specialties follows obvious trends. First, those at the greatest risk of being sued are those whose work has the greatest likelihood of a poor outcome. Those who need serious brain or heart surgery are likely in poor health or at risk of a negative outcome. Whether or not something goes wrong in surgery, there’s a good chance that the patient will not respond to treatment as hoped. This may lead to malpractice claims. The same is true with specialties that don’t deal exclusively with surgical care. For example, obstetricians may deliver dozens of babies per month. Giving birth is one of the most dangerous things that can happen to a mother or her baby, so the risk of a negative outcome is higher than it is in other specialties. On the other hand, the care provided directly by pediatricians, psychiatrists, and general practitioners is unlikely to lead to a fatal outcome.
The success rate of malpractice claim also varies across specialties. Although neurosurgery has the highest percentage of malpractice claims, claims against thoracic-cardiovascular surgeons, general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and gynecologists are more likely to result in a payout. Nephrology, psychiatry, and pulmonary medicine have some of the lowest payout rates.
How an Attorney Can Help
Hearing that most medical malpractice claims are unsuccessful should not deter you from seeking compensation if a physician has harmed you. It simply means that your choice of attorney is incredibly important. You’ll want to hire a medical malpractice lawyer with a proven track record, an intricate knowledge of this highly specialized area of law, and the confidence needed to go after reckless care providers. A skilled medical malpractice lawyer will know exactly what evidence you need, what will work against you, and what will support your claim.
Contact DeWitt Algorri & Algorri Today
If you’re ready to hold a negligent physician accountable, let’s talk about your next steps. Find out how we can advocate for you and fight for what you deserve. Call DeWitt Algorri & Algorri at 1-855-WINNING (946-6464) or connect with us online to schedule a consultation.
Mark Algorri has successfully represented individuals and their families in matters involving serious and catastrophic injuries, insurance claims denials, and wrongful deaths, achieving a success rate of 99 percent for our clients.
