GITNUXREPORT 2025

Medical Malpractice Statistics

Medical malpractice costs Americans billions annually, affecting hospitals, doctors, and patients.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

Women, minorities, and younger physicians are statistically more likely to be sued for malpractice

Statistic 2

The average age of physicians facing malpractice lawsuits is between 45-54 years

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The total number of active medical licenses in the U.S. is over 950,000, with a significant portion practicing in areas with high malpractice risk

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Medical malpractice costs Americans over $55.6 billion annually

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Medical malpractice claims constitute approximately 20% of all medical liability claims

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The average payout for medical malpractice claims in the U.S. exceeds $300,000

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The top three states with the highest medical malpractice insurance premiums are Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Alabama

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The median time to resolve a medical malpractice lawsuit is approximately 3 years

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Roughly 60% of malpractice suits are dismissed or withdrawn before trial

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Physicians spend an average of $60,000 annually on malpractice insurance premiums

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Malpractice lawsuits cost hospitals an average of $4.7 million annually in legal and settlement costs

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Only about 10% of physicians involved in a malpractice suit are found liable in court, but many still pay settlements or face other penalties

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Malpractice premiums for OB-GYNs are nearly twice as high as those for general practitioners

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An estimated 12,000 to 24,000 deaths occur each year due to medical malpractice

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Only about 2% of doctors are sued for medical malpractice annually, but they account for up to 66% of malpractice claims

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Approximately 80% of medical malpractice claims involve hospitals

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Surgical errors account for roughly 50% of all medical malpractice claims involving inpatient hospital stays

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Diagnostic errors are the leading cause of medical malpractice claims, responsible for nearly 40% of lawsuits

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The top four medical specialties most sued for malpractice are OB-GYN, general surgery, internal medicine, and anesthesiology

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Nearly 50% of physicians report at least one malpractice claim during their career

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Approximately 10% of malpractice claims involve pediatric patients

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Key Highlights

  • Medical malpractice costs Americans over $55.6 billion annually
  • An estimated 12,000 to 24,000 deaths occur each year due to medical malpractice
  • Medical malpractice claims constitute approximately 20% of all medical liability claims
  • The average payout for medical malpractice claims in the U.S. exceeds $300,000
  • Only about 2% of doctors are sued for medical malpractice annually, but they account for up to 66% of malpractice claims
  • Approximately 80% of medical malpractice claims involve hospitals
  • Surgical errors account for roughly 50% of all medical malpractice claims involving inpatient hospital stays
  • Diagnostic errors are the leading cause of medical malpractice claims, responsible for nearly 40% of lawsuits
  • The top three states with the highest medical malpractice insurance premiums are Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Alabama
  • The median time to resolve a medical malpractice lawsuit is approximately 3 years
  • Roughly 60% of malpractice suits are dismissed or withdrawn before trial
  • Physicians spend an average of $60,000 annually on malpractice insurance premiums
  • Women, minorities, and younger physicians are statistically more likely to be sued for malpractice

Medical malpractice costs Americans over $55.6 billion annually and leads to thousands of deaths each year, highlighting a complex and costly issue that affects nearly every facet of the healthcare system.

Demographics and Physician Profile Factors

  • Women, minorities, and younger physicians are statistically more likely to be sued for malpractice
  • The average age of physicians facing malpractice lawsuits is between 45-54 years
  • The total number of active medical licenses in the U.S. is over 950,000, with a significant portion practicing in areas with high malpractice risk

Demographics and Physician Profile Factors Interpretation

Despite wielding over 950,000 licenses nationwide, the medical profession’s own age and demographic disparities reveal that women, minorities, and physicians in their forties and fifties bear a disproportionate burden of malpractice lawsuits, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform and support.

Healthcare Costs and Impact

  • Medical malpractice costs Americans over $55.6 billion annually

Healthcare Costs and Impact Interpretation

With healthcare costs soaring into the billions annually due to medical malpractice, it’s clear that even in medicine, a preventable mistake damages much more than just patient trust — it hits Americans’ wallets hard.

Legal and Financial Aspects of Malpractice

  • Medical malpractice claims constitute approximately 20% of all medical liability claims
  • The average payout for medical malpractice claims in the U.S. exceeds $300,000
  • The top three states with the highest medical malpractice insurance premiums are Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Alabama
  • The median time to resolve a medical malpractice lawsuit is approximately 3 years
  • Roughly 60% of malpractice suits are dismissed or withdrawn before trial
  • Physicians spend an average of $60,000 annually on malpractice insurance premiums
  • Malpractice lawsuits cost hospitals an average of $4.7 million annually in legal and settlement costs
  • Only about 10% of physicians involved in a malpractice suit are found liable in court, but many still pay settlements or face other penalties
  • Malpractice premiums for OB-GYNs are nearly twice as high as those for general practitioners

Legal and Financial Aspects of Malpractice Interpretation

Despite only making up a fifth of medical liability claims, the hefty $300,000-plus payouts and soaring insurance premiums—especially for OB-GYNs—highlight how the shadow of malpractice litigation casts a costly and lengthy cloud over medical practice, even as the majority of suits are dismissed before trial.

Medical Malpractice Incidence and Causes

  • An estimated 12,000 to 24,000 deaths occur each year due to medical malpractice
  • Only about 2% of doctors are sued for medical malpractice annually, but they account for up to 66% of malpractice claims
  • Approximately 80% of medical malpractice claims involve hospitals
  • Surgical errors account for roughly 50% of all medical malpractice claims involving inpatient hospital stays
  • Diagnostic errors are the leading cause of medical malpractice claims, responsible for nearly 40% of lawsuits
  • The top four medical specialties most sued for malpractice are OB-GYN, general surgery, internal medicine, and anesthesiology
  • Nearly 50% of physicians report at least one malpractice claim during their career
  • Approximately 10% of malpractice claims involve pediatric patients

Medical Malpractice Incidence and Causes Interpretation

While only a sliver of doctors face malpractice lawsuits, they generate the lion’s share of claims—highlighting a disproportionate burden weighing heavily on surgical, diagnostic, and hospital settings, and underlining the ongoing challenge of medical errors in patient safety.