Malpractice claims down 63% in Greene County

The report, released Oct. 25 by the Department of Insurance, shows the county had 41 claims last year, 13 of which closed with payment. This is down from 67 claims filed in 2003, 17 of which closed with payment.

The average award paid per claim in the county last year was $430,769, up from $379,971 in 2003.

Awards increased statewide as well, averaging $252,666, compared to $212,006 in 2003. The average payments for physicians and surgeons alone reached $287,733.

Total paid claims by physicians and surgeons last year increased from $53.9 million in 2003 to $81.1 million in 2004.

Most reported errors that resulted in a malpractice award were associated with surgery, 26.5 percent, and diagnosis, 24.4 percent. Other reported errors were associated with treatment, 23 percent, medication, 8.9 percent and monitoring, 7.3 percent.

The single most common error reported was “failure to diagnose,” meaning a medical provider reportedly concluded that a patient had no condition that would necessitate observation or follow-up.

Nonreporting and underreporting continues to be a significant problem, according to the report, as the department estimates that between 15 percent and 20 percent of all malpractice claims go unreported. About 75 of surplus lines insurers and risk retention groups filed no claims with the department last year but reported total losses of $12.5 million in other filings.

All malpractice providers are required to report claims data, but the department has limited control over surplus lines insurers and those that self-insure.

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