Medical malpractice insurance is essential for all practicing physicians, but for high-risk specialties such as surgery and obstetrics/gynecology (OB-GYN), coverage is both more complex and more costly. These providers face elevated exposure to claims of malpractice due to the nature of their work — often involving invasive procedures, acute outcomes and highly sensitive patient care. […]

The Shift to Health System Affiliation for U.S. Physicians The job landscape for U.S. physicians has shifted significantly, with over 75% now employed by hospitals, health systems, or companies like health insurers, highlighting a rise in health system affiliation. This trend away from independent private practices has been ongoing for years, but the COVID-19 pandemic […]

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled her 2022-2023 Executive Budget in late 2021, which included a more than $10 billion, multi-year investment in the state’s healthcare system. It also contained two proposals that would affect the medical liability community. Executive Budget Proposal: Healthcare Initiatives and Workforce Expansion The governor’s budget proposal would fund healthcare initiatives […]

The Alaska Supreme Court overturned a long-standing law that limited damage awards for medical malpractice cases where claimants had received compensation from a collateral source, such as a health insurer. This landmark ruling, which challenges the fairness of double deduction rules in malpractice cases, has significant implications for healthcare providers and claimants alike. Here’s our […]

The Louisiana Court of Appeals decided that medical review panel proceedings cannot consider COVID-19 immunity, significantly impacting healthcare providers. This ruling increases liability exposure during the panel process and highlights the importance of strong medical malpractice insurance. As providers face heightened risks in navigating medical liability cases, comprehensive malpractice coverage becomes essential for protecting against […]

Our Take: The Missouri Supreme Court’s decision in July 2021 upholds the state’s cap on noneconomic damages in medical liability cases, reinforcing legislative authority to set statutory limits. This ruling may influence other states to consider similar caps, potentially reducing “megaverdicts” – exceptionally high damage awards often exceeding $50 million. These large payouts contribute to […]

The MPL Association, the organization representing the medical professional liability (MPL) insurance community, has issued a reminder that its annual Conference took place from May 15 to 17 at the Marriott Portland Waterfront Hotel in Portland, Oregon. The Conference is open to both MPL Association members and non-members. Why Attend the MPL Conference? “This event […]

The Rhode Island Supreme Court’s decision in Almonte v. Kurl (46 A.3d 1) shed some light on the complexities of medical malpractice claims involving Rhode Island suicide cases and raised important questions about the limits of suicide liability in cases marked by inherent unpredictability. For healthcare providers, particularly those in high-stakes settings like emergency rooms, […]

We here at Cunningham Group understand that medical professionals don’t want to pay any more than necessary for great medical malpractice insurance coverage. We know that managing your medical malpractice insurance costs is important for your practice. Fortunately, we’ve helped countless clients find better coverage and avoid costly pitfalls. So, let’s take a moment to […]