15 Oct People are suing hospitals for malpractice more frequently, report finds

The Wall Street Journal | October 15 – Earlier in the decade, growth in the frequency of claims declined for several years in a row, down to a 1.81% increase for incidents occurring in 2006. The pace has now ticked up for the past three years, to 1.95% for incidents occurring last year, the report says.

It estimates the cost of the 44,000-odd claims arising from incidents occurring last year will top $8.6 billion (that covers hosptials only, not physicians or long-term care facilities.) Obstetrics-related claims alone will run an estimated $1.4 billion.

Read more on WSJ.com.