West Virginia Malpractice Cases Rising

The West Virginia Medical Association says the number of medical malpractice lawsuits against West Virginia doctors and hospitals is going back up.

But recent claims are still below the totals reported earlier this decade, before legislative reforms went into effect.

According to the association, 315 medical malpractice lawsuits were filed in 2003. There were 130 in 2004 and 174 last year. Through July of this year, 75 were filed.

Executive Director Evan Jenkins says West Virginia has gone from one of the worst states in terms of its medical liability climate to one of the best.

Reforms approved in 2001 and 2003 included capping damage awards and limiting a doctor’s or hospital’s share of a damage award to the percentage of blame assigned by a jury.

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Information from: The Charleston Gazette,
http://www.wvgazette.com