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- California Medical Malpractice: Why Doctors Need To Review Their Coverage Now

# California Medical Malpractice: Why Doctors Need To Review Their Coverage Now
[Get a quote](https://medpli.com/get-your-medical-malpractice-insurance-quote/)By [Max Schloemann](https://medpli.com/author/max-schloemann/)Published On: August 30th, 2023

  
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- California Medical Malpractice: Why Doctors Need To Review Their Coverage Now

### California Medical Malpractice: Why Doctors Need To Review Their Coverage Now
[Get a quote](#quote)[Max Schloemann](https://medpli.com/author/max-schloemann/)August 30th, 2023

						
				

									

				
					
## California was #1 for medical malpractice payouts in 2022
California medical malpractice statistics show that the state had the largest number of adverse action reports and medical malpractice payouts in 2022, according to the U.S. National Data Practitioner Data Bank.

Additional findings from NPDB indicate that California continues to be one of the top states for the volume of medical malpractice claims, lawsuits, and payouts/settlements in 2023.

That’s why more than ever, our independent brokers at MEDPLI strongly advise California physicians and surgeons to review their medical malpractice insurance policies and carrier choice.

## California Medical Malpractice by the Numbers
The data supporting the volume of California’s medical malpractice claims and payouts was analyzed by the [National Practitioner Data Bank](https://www.npdb.hrsa.gov/). The NPDB provides a multiple-year overview of each state’s medical malpractice activity, including the number of Adverse Action Reports (AAR) or claims, and number of Medical Malpractice Payment Reports or payouts/settlements. The data covers 18 unique practitioner titles for a total of 93,179 total unique NPDB practitioners.

California Medical Malpractice Data

1990 to June 30, 2023

All Practitioner Types

TOTAL

Adverse Action Reports
98,430

Medical Malpractice Payment Reports
55,108

Total Payment Amount
$7,907.41M*

2022

Physicians Only

TOTAL

Adverse Action Reports
807

Medical Malpractice Payment Reports
648

Total Payment Amount
$199.32M

2023 as of June 30

Physicians Only

TOTAL

Adverse Action Reports
255

Medical Malpractice Payment Reports
297

Total Payment Amount
$111.94M

*The unique practitioner categories of Physicians and Doctors of Osteopathic accounted for the majority of the Total Payment Amount at $6,957.73M.

## California Medical Malpractice by the Numbers
Even looking at the most current NPDB data for California physicians (MDs and DOs) alone, the numbers paint a clear picture of California as a highly litigious state with a higher risk of being sued for medical malpractice.

## Why The Higher Volume of California Medical Malpractice Cases?
Several factors may influence allegations of medical malpractice in California. The state has a high concentration of physicians and surgeons to meet the demand for high-risk specialties – including plastic surgery, bariatric surgery, and OB/GYN. The potentially severe intraoperative patient injuries and post-operative complications in these specialty procedures are among the most often cited in medical malpractice allegations.

Also, a patient may now receive a higher jury award if their medical malpractice lawsuit goes to trial. California passed legislation in 2023 to modify California’s [Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act (MICRA)](https://medpli.com/california-surgeons-private-practice-micra/) by increasing the caps on non-economic damages that juries can award to plaintiffs:

- *
$350,000 for non-economic damages in non-death cases. Incremental increases over the next 10 years will raise the cap to $750,000, followed by a 2% annual adjustment for inflation in subsequent years.

- **
$500,000 for wrongful death cases. This cap will rise incrementally to $1 million over the next 10 years. The subsequent 2% annual adjustment for inflation will also apply.

- **
In California there is still no limit on the amount of compensation a plaintiff can recover for economic damages.

## High-Payout California Medical Malpractice Cases
Facing a medical malpractice lawsuit in California without robust malpractice insurance could be financially devastating to your practice. The following are just a few examples of California medical malpractice cases that either went to trial or were settled out of court over the past three years:

$1 Million Pre-Trial Settlement to Patient’s Family

A California man developed cardiogenic shock and coronary artery damage after surgery for an aortic aneurysm. The patient had a stroke and died during the second surgery to repair the artery. The family alleged that the surgeon had inadequate training to perform the high-risk procedure.

$165,884 Jury Award

A female patient in her 90s sued a California orthopedic practice for negligence following surgery for a hip fracture. She alleged that the physician’s assistant neglected to consult her medical history of having frail skin and caused a skin tear by improperly putting her leg in a surgical boot.

$2,000,000 Settlement

A California veterinarian continued to have pain in his left hand despite undergoing three surgeries by two different vascular surgeons for the problem. As a result, he was unable to return to work. The patient alleged that the first surgeon failed to perform a CT angiogram after the second surgery that would have led to better outcome.

## Now is the time to ensure that you are protected against financial loss if you are sued for malpractice in California
The volume of California medical malpractice cases and payouts isn’t decreasing, and the passage of legislation for higher non-economic damage caps will likely result in higher medical malpractice premium rates over time. Now is the time to ensure that you are protected against financial loss if you are sued for malpractice in California.

MEDPLI insurance brokers stay current with [California’s medical malpractice laws and statutes](https://medpli.com/california-doctors-buying-guide-to-medical-malpractice-insurance/) to ensure that you get the right amount of coverage at the best price for your specialty. We also obtain quotes from the leading California medical malpractice insurance carriers rated “A” by AM Best for their financial solvency and robust legal support of policy-holders.

If you are a California physician or surgeon – or planning to open a practice in California – let MEDPLI be [your only trusted broker](https://medpli.com/why-medpli-is-the-only-malpractice-insurance-broker-you-need/) to help you find robust coverage at the best rate in California.

Whether you need a new policy, a renewal, or [tail insurance](https://medpli.com/what-is-tail-insurance/), our independent MEDPLI insurance brokers will help you secure coverage from an “A” rated carrier for your specialty and practice in California. Have questions? Reach out to an independent MEDPLI insurance broker for answers and a [quote now](https://medpli.com/#quote).

#### Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!
[**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fmedpli.com%2Fcalifornia-medical-malpractice%2F)[**](https://x.com/intent/post?text=California%20Medical%20Malpractice%3A%20Why%20Doctors%20Need%20To%20Review%20Their%20Coverage%20Now&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedpli.com%2Fcalifornia-medical-malpractice%2F)[**](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmedpli.com%2Fcalifornia-medical-malpractice%2F)[**](mailto:?subject=California%20Medical%20Malpractice%3A%20Why%20Doctors%20Need%20To%20Review%20Their%20Coverage%20Now&body=https%3A%2F%2Fmedpli.com%2Fcalifornia-medical-malpractice%2F)*[Max Schloemann](https://medpli.com/author/max-schloemann/)

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## About the Author
Max Schloemann is a medical malpractice insurance broker helping physicians and surgeons secure Medical Professional Liability coverage. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Southern Illinois University’s College of Business, he was named Outstanding Management Senior.

Max began his career in 2008 at an industry-leading firm and founded MEDPLI in 2017 to guide private practice doctors and physicians in transition through the complexities of malpractice insurance.

Outside of work, Max, his wife Kristen (a Physician Assistant), and their four kids enjoy the outdoors and attending the kids’ sporting events. [Contact Max](https://medpli.com/contact-us/) for malpractice insurance questions.

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MEDPLI is an independent insurance practice specializing in medical professional liability insurance. Through our A-rated insurance partners, we provide insurance solutions to doctors and healthcare providers in the United States.

																							
																										
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*The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute insurance or legal advice**.  
MEDPLI is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice.*
  



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Tail coverage term lengths range from 1 year to unlimited. Standard terms are for 2, 3, and 5 years.
**Expert tip:** Choose tail coverage that extends beyond your state’s malpractice claim statute of limitations. Most physicians prefer unlimited-term policies for lasting protection, even if shorter options cost less.

		

				
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Without tail insurance coverage, a physician can be financially liable for future claims from patient care that occured during the lapsed claims-made policy period. This liability can range from thousands to millions of dollars, based on the severity of the claim.
Expert Tip:** Use our **[Medical Malpractice Payouts By State Tool](https://medpli.com/medical-malpractice-payouts-by-state/)** to get a sense of what the medical malpractice payout landscape is like in different states.

		

				
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Tail insurance should be secured by the last day of the active claims-made policy. Often, the incumbent carrier offers a 30-day window after the policy lapses for a doctor to exercise the option to buy their tail policy. We recommend that you pursue standalone quotes before accepting an incumbent offer. Starting that process when you decide to change employers will provide more opportunities to compare quotes and secure the best rate.

Expert Tip:** If you’re planning to leave your employer or have already done so, reach out to a medical malpractice insurance broker right away. Timing is critical for securing proper coverage.

		

				
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Each medical specialty has its own insurance risk profile, which may require specialized tail insurance. A policy must reflect the exact circumstances of a physician’s practice and cover all services provided.
		

				
							
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Tail coverage protects doctors against any future claims that have yet to be reported.
		

				
							
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What does tail insurance typically cover?****
Tail insurance covers any financial liability associated with a medical malpractice claim.

This includes:

- Legal fees

- Expert witnesses

- Settlements

- Any damages awarded to the plaintiff

		

				
							
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When is tail coverage necessary?**

Tail coverage is necessary is specific situations, primarily for professionals and organizations that use **[claims-made insurance policies](https://medpli.com/occurrence-vs-claims-made-malpractice-insurance-whats-the-difference/#:~:text=claim%20is%20submitted.-,2.%20Do%20Occurrence%20and%20Claims%2DMade%20Policies%20Offer%20Different%20Benefits%3F,-As%20you%20decide)**. There are four common instances when it’s needed:

- When You’re Leaving a Claims-Made Policy

- When Switching Insurers or Jobs

- When Retiring or Closing a Practice

- When Contractually Required

		

				
							
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Tail insurance protects you from claims made after your claims-made policy ends. It covers incidents that occurred while you were insured but are reported later, after your policy’s cancellation date. Without tail coverage, you’d be personally responsible for any lawsuits or legal costs that arise afterward, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

**Expert Tip:** When changing jobs, review your insurance program with an **[experienced broker](https://medpli.com/contact-us/)** who knows how to navigate the fine print and ensure you’re protected.

		

				
							
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