Small group of doctors cause large number of malpractice suits

Almost everyone in Houston will need to see a doctor at least every once in awhile. Most doctors are great at their job and give their patients a timely and accurate diagnosis. But there are doctors who make a medical mistake and put their patients at risk of wrongful death.
A new study conducted by The New England Journal of Medicine shows that a small percentage of doctors are responsible for a large percentage of medical malpractice lawsuits. The study showed that 32% of medical malpractice lawsuits involved just 1% of doctors. For patients this can be a warning that there are still doctors out there practicing with a bad track record.
Medical malpractice can happen to any patient regardless of circumstances. There are certain specialties that tend to see higher rates of recurring medical malpractice settlements. These include neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, OB/GYNs, plastic surgeons and general surgeons. It can be hard for patients to know about their doctor’s medical malpractice history. Databases usually just show settled claims and not ongoing medical malpractice suits.
When a patient receives inadequate care from their doctor they may be the victim of medical malpractice. An attorney who specializes in medical malpractice can help a person determine what happened to cause their unexpected injury. They can review medical records, consult with medical experts and get the answers the patients deserve. It is important to hold doctors accountable for their errors so that they don’t harm anyone else. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering and other damages.
Source: huffingtonpost.com, “Many doctors who face malpractice suits are serial offenders“, Anna Almendrala, Jan. 29, 2016