What medical specialty gets sued the least?

Asked by: Marcelo Mills  |  Last update: September 4, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (55 votes)

Surgical specialities had the highest risk of being sued, and internal medicine subspecialties had the lowest risk.

Which doctor specialty gets sued the most?

The specialists most likely to be sued are both general and specialized surgeons. General surgeons and plastic surgeons were first on the list with 83% reporting having been sued at least once in their careers.

Why do most doctors get sued?

The #1 reason why doctors are sued for malpractice is because of a failure to diagnose or a delayed diagnosis. These types of claims account for nearly 31% of all cases.

How often do obstetricians get sued?

Obstetrics and gynecology (ob/gyn) remains one of the most frequently sued specialties, with nearly 83% of ob/gyn physicians being sued at least once in their careers [1].

Which medical specialty has the least on call?

dermatology, pathology, rheumatology, oncology, and ophthalmology are some specialties that tend to have fewer on-call responsibilities.

Which Medical specialties do physicians get sued the most versus the least

23 related questions found

What is the safest medical specialty?

Rest easy about anesthesia. Patients are in the arms of the safest medical specialty — physician anesthesiologists — the pioneers of quality and patient safety.

Which doctors have most free time?

If you think you want to be a doctor but don't want to take on the burden of being on call every night and weekend, consider pediatrics. It's one of the best medical specialties for work-life balance because it offers predictable hours and lots of time off.

Why are gynecologists sued so much?

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.

Who pays the highest malpractice?

More than half of anesthesiologists report being named in a lawsuit at least once in their career and the specialty continues to have one of the highest malpractice premiums, according to the Medscape Anesthesiologist Malpractice Report 2021.

How rare is medical malpractice?

More than 100,000 deaths each year might be related to medication complications. Up to 1,500,000 people suffer a nonfatal injury due to a medical error each year. Only 1-in-50 medical malpractice victims will pursue a claim. About 50% of medical malpractice cases are filed against surgeons in particular.

What is the biggest lawsuit in medical history?

1. $74.5 Million | Negligence & Falsified Medical Records. In California, doctors failed to properly deliver a baby. The doctor in charge chose not to perform an episiotomy, did not use forceps during the delivery and failed to assess contractions.

What is the fear of being sued as a doctor?

In 2010, Congressman Tom Price coined the term “defensive medicine” to describe how doctors' fear of being sued resulted in more diagnostic tests and healthcare spending. Since then, researchers have been exploring whether a fear of a medical malpractice lawsuit does, in fact, result in doctors ordering extra tests.

What happens to a doctor who gets sued?

Unless the malpractice rises to a criminal level, it is unlikely a doctor will lose their license to practice medicine based on one malpractice case. However, a state board might suspend a doctor, limit their practice, or revoke their license if an investigation reveals: The doctor is a threat to their patients.

What is the most difficult doctor profession?

Apart from the top 5 specialties mentioned above, Interventional Radiology, Radiation Oncology, Vascular Surgery, General Surgery and Med/Peds are among the most difficult domains to become a doctor.

What medical specialties are sued the most in Medscape?

General and plastic surgeons tied as the specialists most likely to be sued (both 83%), and specialized surgeons ranked sixth among all specialties, with 74% reporting at least one lawsuit during their career.

Why are radiologists sued so much?

A US-based study [3] revealed that the commonest cause of lawsuits against radiologists was an error in diagnosis (14.83 claims per 1000 person-years) rather than a delay in diagnosis. The next commonest cause was complications during a procedure and miscommunication with the patient or their doctors.

What rank death is medical malpractice?

Over 250,000 people in the U.S. die each year because of medical errors, making it the third leading cause of death in this country behind heart disease and cancer, according to a Johns Hopkins study.

What specialty has the most expensive malpractice insurance?

Obstetrics and Gynecology

These doctors have perhaps the highest cost of medical malpractice insurance because the two-year statute of limitations is so drawn out — it doesn't start in many states until the injured party, in this case the baby delivered, turns 18.

What rank is medical malpractice in cause of death?

With over 250,000 malpractice deaths each year, medical mistakes can be considered the 3rd leading cause of death in the U.S., after heart disease and cancer.

Can you sue doctors in India?

The Aggrieved patient or a Registered Consumer Organisation or the state or Central government, the legal heirs or representatives of the aggrieved patients can sue a doctor for medical negligence under the consumer protection act.

Are female gynecologists better?

Female gynecologists are more likely to refer their patients to a specialist, which can enable you to get expert care if needed. Female doctors are usually more supportive of a patient's abortion needs than their male counterparts.

Who is the woman who sued GP?

A woman is taking her GP to court after claiming she should have never been born. Evie Toombes, 20, from Skegness, Lincolnshire, is suing her mother's GP for millions in damages after stating her birth should have not been allowed to happen.

Which doctor is most needed in India?

Orthopedics, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dermatology, Pediatrics, Radiology, General Surgery, and Ophthalmology are all in high demand.

Which type of doctor earns the most in India?

Which type of doctor earns the most in India? Neurologists, endocrinologists, oncologists, pulmonologists, radiologists, paediatricians, and orthopedic surgeons are some of the highest-paid types of doctors in India.

Which doctor has to study the least?

The shortest residency programs
  • Family medicine: Three years.
  • Internal medicine: Three years.
  • Pediatrics: Three years.
  • Anesthesiology: Four years.
  • Dermatology: Four years.
  • Neurology: Four years.
  • Ophthalmology: Four years.
  • Physical medicine: Four years.