Do OB GYNs get sued a lot?

Asked by: Dr. Kelsie Hammes  |  Last update: April 10, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (27 votes)

Yes, OB/GYNs are sued very frequently, ranking among the highest-risk medical specialties for malpractice lawsuits, with surveys showing that around 80-90% of them face at least one claim in their career due to the high stakes and potential for catastrophic outcomes in childbirth, leading to significant insurance costs and practice modifications. Common reasons for these lawsuits include failure to diagnose, abnormal injuries, and issues during labor and delivery, with birth injury cases often resulting in large payouts.

Why do OB GYNs get sued so much?

OBGYN medical malpractice occurs when an obstetrician or gynecologist fails to meet the applicable standard of care, leading to injury or harm to the patient. This negligence can happen during routine care, gynecological surgery, pregnancy, labor, or delivery.

Which doctor is least likely to be sued?

Who Is Least Likely To Be Sued? Family general practice, pediatrics, and psychiatry are the specialties that are least likely to be sued for medical malpractice. Psychiatrists have the lowest risk, with only 2.6% facing claims. Why Are Certain Specialties Being Sued More Than Others?

Who gets sued the most in healthcare?

According to a study conducted by the American Medical Association (AMA), OB/GYN providers have one of the highest rates of malpractice, with more than 62% of physicians being sued at some point throughout their career.

What percent of doctors get sued?

One In Three Doctors Have Been The Subject Of A Medical Malpractice Lawsuit. And, according to the American Medical Association (AMA), one in three physicians has been sued or experienced legal action against them under a medical malpractice lawsuit.

What Evidence Do I Need for a Medical Malpractice Claim?

40 related questions found

How often are OB GYNs sued?

According to the American Medical Association, more than 50% of physicians face a malpractice lawsuit at some point in their career and nearly 34% are sued by the time they have reached the age of 55. Other statistics also suggest that by age 45, 74% of OB/GYNs have been sued.

What kind of doctor gets sued the most?

Which Doctors Are Sued Most Often … And Why?

  • Obstetricians/gynecologists — 85 percent.
  • Surgeons — 83 percent.
  • Orthopedists — 79 percent.
  • Radiologists — 72 percent.
  • Anesthesiologists — 58 percent.
  • Internal/family medicine practitioners — 46 percent.
  • Oncologists — 34 percent.

What doctor makes 700K a year?

Cardiac Anesthesiologist – $700K Annual Compensation.

Why do doctors get sued so much?

Failure to diagnose or a delay in diagnosis

This is the most common malpractice allegation made by patients. To prevent an incorrect or missed diagnosis, make sure you are diligent in following patients' complaints to a full diagnosis. Also, be familiar with the error rates of your diagnostic instruments.

Has every doctor been sued?

Unfortunately, being sued for medical malpractice is a very real possibility, according to a 2022 American Medical Association (AMA) analysis. In fact, the findings show that about 30% of US physicians have been sued for medical malpractice. And the longer you're in practice, the higher the risk.

How to avoid being sued as a doctor?

Keeping proper/legally valid medical records is a must and should include patient's complete name on each and every medical record. Record both the medical act performed or the advice given as well as the purpose/reason for that particular medical act/advice.

What kind of doctor is the easiest to become?

The 7 Easiest Types of Doctor to Become & How to Get There

  • Anesthesiology.
  • Emergency Medicine.
  • Family Medicine.
  • Internal Medicine.
  • Pediatrics.
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
  • Psychiatry.

Is it expensive to sue a doctor?

A typical “simple” medical malpractice case is more expensive and more complex than almost any other type of personal injury claim. A “simple” medical malpractice case can cost $40,000, $50,000 or more to bring to trial. And that isn't including attorney's fees for the patient.

What are the red flags for OBGYN?

OB-GYN red flags include persistent pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding/discharge, painful intercourse, missed/irregular periods, and severe pregnancy symptoms like decreased fetal movement or excessive vomiting, signaling potential issues like infections, cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, or ectopic pregnancies, requiring prompt attention; also, dismissive providers who ignore pain, make inappropriate comments, or rush diagnoses are significant red flags for a poor patient-doctor relationship. 

Why do OB GYNs get paid so much?

The salary of obstetrician gynecologist professionals varies significantly based on experience, location, and practice type, but the financial rewards reflect the extensive training and critical responsibilities these specialists undertake.

Do OB GYNs judge you?

Even if you feel embarrassed about certain issues, your gynecologist has seen and heard it all and is there to help you, not to pass judgment.

How often do doctors lose lawsuits?

Doctors consistently win approximately 50% of the cases that physician reviewers have concluded they should lose and 70% to 80% of the cases with unclear or ambiguous evidence of negligence [18].

Can doctors be sued personally?

In some cases, you may be able to bring your medical malpractice lawsuit against the doctor personally. Some doctors operate as independent contractors rather than hospital employees. These doctors can be personally sued for medical negligence, as opposed to suing their employer.

What is the biggest medical lawsuit ever?

The Largest Medical Malpractice Lawsuits in History

  • Billy Pierce v. ...
  • Buckelew v. ...
  • The Kromphardt Family. ...
  • Dixon v. ...
  • Applewhite v. ...
  • $190 Million – Dr. ...
  • $216.7 Million – Allan Navarro, Florida. One of the largest medical malpractice claims in history was out of Florida. ...
  • Johns Hopkins Bayview Health Medical Center v. Erica Byrom.

What job pays $400,000 a year without a degree?

Yes, jobs paying $400,000 without a degree exist, notably Walmart Supercenter Managers, who can earn that much with bonuses and stock, but other paths include high-stakes sales, software development, commercial real estate, skilled trades (like power plant operators), and successful entrepreneurship/influencing, all requiring expertise and performance over formal education. 

What is the lowest paid doctor?

The lowest-paid doctor specialties are consistently in pediatrics and primary care, with Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatric Rheumatology, and Medical Genetics & Genomics often topping the list, earning around $230,000-$260,000 annually, significantly less than subspecialties like surgery but offering good work-life balance. 

What jobs in the US pay $300,000 a year?

Jobs paying $300k+ in the US are typically executive, specialized medical, high-level tech, finance, or sales roles, including Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, CEOs, Investment Bankers, Management Consultants, and top Enterprise Software Sales Directors, requiring significant experience, advanced degrees (like MBAs/MDs), or high performance, with many opportunities found in tech, finance, and healthcare industries. Some roles in areas like entertainment (VFX, Editing) and skilled trades (Commercial Pilots, Oil Rig Supervisors) also reach these levels with experience. 

Why are OBGYNs most sued?

To be more specific, these are some of the most common reasons why American obstetricians and gynecologists get sued for medical malpractice: Maternal and/or fetal death during pregnancy and/or childbirth. Failed tubal ligations.

Is it common to get sued as a doctor?

About one-third of U.S. physicians (around 31-34%) report being sued at least once in their career, with the risk increasing significantly with age and specialty, especially in high-risk fields like surgery, but most claims don't result in a finding of negligence. The likelihood of facing a claim varies dramatically by specialty, with OB/GYNs, surgeons, and orthopedists having much higher rates, while low-risk specialties like psychiatry have fewer claims. 

What are the 4 D's for a malpractice suit to be successful?

In medical malpractice law, proving negligence isn't as simple as showing that you were hurt. There's a specific legal framework, known as the Four Ds of Medical Negligence, that must be satisfied for a case to move forward: Duty, Dereliction, Direct Causation, and Damage.