How Much do Hospitals Pay for Malpractice?
Hospitals are businesses, too. And you may think that they pay for the costs of medical malpractice out of pocket, and thus could be ruined by a substantial case against them. But, this is not exactly true. In truth, medical malpractice claims are typically handled by the insurance companies, which provide liability insurance to hospitals and doctors. The larger the settlement for the injured party, the more the insurance company pays, not the hospital or doctor directly.
However, hospitals do pay quite a bit for their insurance coverage. Hospitals pay hefty sums for medical malpractice insurance. If a hospital makes a serious error that causes long-term damage and medical expenses for a patient in their care, their insurance rates could become very challenging to sustain, and their reputation may be affected. So in a manner of speaking, hospital finances are related to medical malpractice lawsuits, even if they are not the party paying out of pocket.
Medical Malpractice Damage Caps
Many states have laws that limit the amount of money an injured patient can receive as an award in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Medical malpractice lawsuits can allow you to hold a hospital responsible when negligent medical treatment causes harm. However, laws in some states limit the amount of money that can be awarded in the damages of a successful medical malpractice lawsuit. These are called “caps” in medical malpractice cases,
In a typical medical malpractice lawsuit, numerous different categories of damages are available if the injured patient is successful in establishing the hospital’s liability for harm. “Damages” is the word used for compensation for injuries from a medical malpractice lawsuit. These types of damages may include:
- Reimbursement for lost income and earning potential (economic damages)
- Costs of past and future medical treatment (economic damages)
- Pain and suffering (non-economic damages)
- Punitive damages, which are usually reserved for cases involving gross or outrageous conduct (non-economic damages)
Numerous states have laws that limit the amount of damages that can be recovered from a medical malpractice lawsuit. Most of these damage caps apply to financial compensation for “non-economic” losses, which includes awards for a medical malpractice plaintiff’s pain and suffering. Individual states also have established a statute of limitations and other civil injury laws.
The Job of a Medical Malpractice Attorney
A medical malpractice attorney does not set out to traumatize or torture a well-meaning doctor or hospital with a small malpractice case. The insurance companies take a lot of money from them each year, and lawsuits are a huge deal. But, people sometimes are left with a lifetime of medical bills because of a hospital’s major mistake. Medical malpractice attorneys ensure that weren’t their fault.
If you’d like to discover more information about the maximum award damages in the state where you live, contact a medical malpractice attorney in your local area. Set up a consultation with a qualified legal professional to discuss your needs and concerns.