According to a new study published online in Pediatrics, pediatricians can expect to face fewer medical malpractice claims than other types of physicians – but among those claims, researchers found similar rates of payments that exceed $1 million.
The study, which examined the malpractice claims of more than 40,000 physicians (including 1,630 pediatricians) between 1991 and 2005, found that 3.1% of the pediatricians surveyed had a malpractice claim filed against them annually. That figure was compared to the annual percentage rate of 7.4% for other types of physicians, and 14.5% for medical doctors operating in high-risk specialties. However, of the 404 claims filed against pediatricians during the course of the study, 3.7% led to a payment of more than $1 million, a figure comparable to other types of physicians.
Certain types of pediatric patients are considered to be higher-risk cases and may be more likely to result in malpractice lawsuits, including children with meningitis, pneumonia and infants who have suffered brain damage.
If your child has been injured by a negligent pediatrician, you may have a medical malpractice case. Contact Hodes Milman at (949) 640-8222 to learn more about the legal options available to you.
