medical liability News

U.S. Seeks Ways to Reduce Excessive Medical Testing

A leading group of U.S. doctors is trying to tackle the costly problem of excessive medical testing, hoping to avoid more government intervention in how they practice. The American College of Physicians (ACP), the largest U.S. medical specialty group, is …

Minnesota Medical Mistakes Up, But Fewer Cases of Harm

Serious mistakes in Minnesota hospitals rose slightly in 2011, but they led to fewer serious injuries and deaths than the year before, according to an annual report. Hospitals reported 316 so-called “adverse health events,” up from 305 the year before. …

Ground Shifting for Medical Liability Insurers: Moody’s

Although it comprises just over two percent of annual direct premiums for the U.S. property and casualty insurance industry, the medical professional liability (MPL) insurance business is integral to the U.S. healthcare system, which today accounts for almost one-fifth of …

HMC Hospitals In Liliha, Ewa To Close

The operators of Hawaii Medical Center hospitals in Liliha and Ewa say they’ll be closing the bankrupt facilities within three weeks, a move that will put nearly 1,000 people out of work and eliminate more than 340 hospital beds. The …

The Doctors Co. Completes Acquisition of FPIC

Medical liability insurer The Doctors Co. has completed its previously-announced acquisition of FPIC Insurance Group Inc., a major provider of health care liability insurance in Florida, Texas, Georgia and Arkansas. FPIC Insurance Group includes First Professionals Insurance Co., Inc.; Advocate, …

Berkshire Hathaway to Buy N.J.-based Princeton Insurance

Berkshire Hathaway’s medical professional liability insurance unit, Medical Protective Co., is purchasing New Jersey-based Princeton Insurance Co., a professional liability insurer for healthcare providers. Princeton Insurance was previously owned by Medical Liability Mutual Insurance Co., a New York-based professional liability …

How Health Reform Will Affect Workers’ Comp, Liability Insurance

The federal health reform enacted last year will bring short- and long-term challenges to employers and the property/casualty insurance industry. According to Harry Shuford, chief economist for the insurance industry’s National Council on Compensation Insurance, the new law is “a …

Louisiana Appeal Court Must Reconsider Malpractice Cap Suit

A state appeals court must reconsider its ruling that the Legislature acted unconstitutionally when it covered nurses who are certified to diagnose illness and prescribe medicine under Louisiana’s $500,000 cap on general malpractice awards, the Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled. …