Hospital Malpractice Claims On The Rise
According to a new report published by Aon and the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management, medical malpractice claims against hospitals and healthcare providers are set to rise to more than 44,000 in 2009, an increase of five percent. The increase in claims has been attributed to an overall increase in the number of doctors being hired and, perhaps more predictably, a lack of tort reform. The study also cites the current recession as a reason for the increase in legal action.
Scott J. Eldredge, a senior shareholder and experienced medical malpractice attorney comments: "Each year, thousands of patients suffer life-changing injuries as a result of preventable medical mistakes. It is only fair that injured victims and their families have the right to claim adequate compensation for their suffering. To blame the current adverse economic climate and the apparent lack of tort reform as a reason for an increase in litigation does a great dis-service to my clients and the many thousands like them, who trusted their physicians and who were subsequently injured through no fault of their own."
