Medical Briefs

Malpractice Case Analysis

A Harvard School of Public Health analysis of resolved medical malpractice cases found that nationally, about 40% of the cases were groundless -- 3% had no evidence of patient injury and 37% had no evidence of medical error. And 72% of the error-free cases resulted in no payment to the patient. The cases examined took an average of five years to resolve, and legal fees and expenses absorbed about half of the money awarded to patients.

Orthopedics Tops Compensation Survey

Modern Healthcare’s 2006 Physician Salary Survey found that last year’s average total cash compensation of orthopedic specialists was about $403,000. In second through fifth places were radiologists ($394,000), noninvasive cardiologists ($370,000), urologists ($340,000), and anesthesiologists ($333,000). Family practitioners and pediatricians ($165,000) and internists ($177,000) were the lowest-earning specialties.

Health Care Commentaries is provided by Somerset’s Health Care Team for our clients and other interested persons upon request. Since technical information is presented in generalized fashion, no final conclusion on these topics should be made without further review. For additional information on the issues discussed, please contact a member of our Health Care Team. This document is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.

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