Medical Malpractice Closed Claim Study-1976

摘要

The closed claim study is based on 4,126 medical malpractice claims closed between July 1, 1976 and October 31, 1976. The general purposes of this study are to undertake an analysis of the frequency and types of claims and compensation for economic losses. The analysis of claims differs from previous efforts, however, in that the objective is a detailed examination of the causes of injuries that lead to claims as well as legal system and patient characteristics that are related to the occurrence of claims. The purpose of the analysis of causes of injuries is to provide information that can be used to develop injury prevention programs as a policy approach to reduce the occurrence of malpractice incidents. The purposes of the analysis of size of awards are (1) to determine the importance of economic losses in determining award amounts and (2) examine selected characteristics such as changes in the legal system that affect the size of awards. The relationship between awards and losses is evaluated by comparing measures of average losses with average awards.