Wisconsin Medical Malpractice Claims Fall to Record Low

The Director of State Courts in Wisconsin says medical malpractice claims hit a record low last year.

The number of medical malpractice lawsuits fell to 84 last year from 140 in 2013. In 1999, there were 294 suits filed.

The state Medical Mediation Panels got 118 complaints last year, the fewest in their history. Plaintiffs must file with the panels before they can sue.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports the state-managed insurance fund for doctors and hospitals topped $1.2 billion last year and has nearly doubled since 2009.

Last year, the newspaper reported that the drop in malpractice lawsuits is due to state laws that limit who can file suits and the amount they can collect. Non-economic damages are limited to $750,000 in Wisconsin.