Sep 04, 2025
How Inflation Is Impacting Medical Malpractice Claims
Our 2025 study of the impact of inflation on the medical malpractice insurance industry estimates that increasing economic and social inflation added $4 billion in insured losses and expenses incurred by physician-focused insurers. This is a $1.6 billion increase from the previous estimate in our 2023 study. The latest research confirms that inflation is not only persistent—it’s accelerating.
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Leadership
We lead the medical malpractice industry because of the leaders in our boardroom. Read biographies of The Doctors Company Board of Governors members.
Professional Education
Failure to Rescue a Recurring Post-Surgical Event (Claims Corner CME)
Claims arising from the perioperative experience are frequent, often preventable, and some of the costliest claims for physicians. One study of surgical claims conducted by The Doctors Company noted that about two out of three general surgeons have been involved in a medical malpractice suit. Malpractice data consistently finds that the most serious and common post-operative complications are unrecognized intestinal puncture or perforation. Diagnostic error by surgeons involving unrecognized intestinal puncture or perforation of an organ can quickly lead to septic shock and death.
Practice Safety Culture INSIGHT Program
The Practice Safety Culture INSIGHT is a confidential survey that assesses whether daily office routines, management practices, policies, procedures, and communication styles promote patient safety or undermine it. It can be completed online in less than 30 minutes by leadership, clinicians, and supporting staff. The survey measures a range of factors that contribute to a culture of patient safety.
Nov 27, 2023
2023 Judicial Review: Significant Court Decisions on Medical Liability Issues
In the past year, several state supreme courts handed down significant decisions that expand medical liability.
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The Doctor’s Advocate
Healthcare Cybersecurity Resources
It’s not a matter of if a data breach will occur in your medical practice—it’s a matter of when. Make sure your practice is prepared with these resources.
Professional Education
Shoulder Dystocia Clinician-Patient Disclosure
This enduring activity is designed to assist physicians and advanced practice clinicians (APCs) in enhancing their communication skills when disclosing a shoulder dystocia injury to patients and family members. This type of injury to the infant may, unfortunately, occur despite the best of care; however, effective physician-patient communication is an integral part of clinical practice and has been shown to positively influence outcomes by increasing patient understanding and trust.
November 13, 2025, Inside Medical Liability
MPL Case: Could Timely Diagnosis Have Preserved This Patient’s Vision?
Despite thorough subject-matter knowledge, physicians can miss the diagnosis of a familiar condition because of issues with clinical judgment. Clinical judgment may be influenced by distraction, interruption, or team communication issues. A new study of malpractice allegations against ophthalmologists suggests that when practices build teamwork skills, they strengthen patient safety and mitigate practice risks.
February 19, 2025, JAMA Network Open
Ambient Listening—Legal and Ethical Issues
Ambient listening, which involves using AI to record and analyze conversations between clinicians and patients, is one area of early AI adoption among healthcare professionals. I. Glenn Cohen, JD; Julie Ritzman, MBA, CPHRM; and Richard F. Cahill, JD, provide a comprehensive analysis of the legal and ethical considerations associated with the use of ambient listening technologies in healthcare settings.
Video Mar 13, 2024
Choose a Doctor-Owned Medical Malpractice Insurer
Choosing a medical malpractice insurer involves more than just reviewing the cost of premiums—physicians must consider which insurer has their best interests at heart. Consolidation in the industry has led to shareholder-owned companies acquiring doctor-owned companies and vice-versa. When an acquisition brings a doctor-owned company into the hands of shareholders, physicians have a prime opportunity to ask: Is this the type of insurer I want protecting my reputation?
