Forty percent of medical malpractice cases filed in the U.S. are baseless, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. But contrary to public opinion that frivolous suits result in large payouts or verdicts, the study found that most of the groundless suits are dismissed. Still, 15% of malpractice settlements or jury awards go to plaintiffs who have filed groundless suits, and the overhead costs of litigation are very high, reports the AP. The AMA responded to the study by saying that access to care is decreased as physicians spend significant time and money defending meritless lawsuits. The Association of Trial Lawyers for Americas, however, called the study biased and objected to the researchers using claims data from insurers who are defendants in malpractice suits.
