It is a sad reality that each day people throughout the state of Pennsylvania sustain injuries while in the care of the very people who are supposed to be looking out for their health. Those people injured due to the negligence of doctors, nurses, and others working at health care facilities can seek to hold those responsible for their injuries via a medical malpractice lawsuit.

A study recently published in the online edition of Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research indicates that there is a great disparity in income between the injured patients that sue their doctors compared to those who do not. Individuals considered to be poor are not as likely to file medical malpractice lawsuits.

In reaching that conclusion, those conducting the study analyzed medical malpractice claims and litigation rates of patients considered to be low-income. The research used had been gathered in previous studies.

The reason that group sues less than those with money, is simple. In general, they do not have the money at their disposal to pay for the starting such a lawsuit. Also, they may not know where or who to go to file a medical malpractice lawsuit.

Interestingly, the information provided in the study is contrary to what most doctors likely believe. According to the authors of the study, it is possible that historically some physicians, some without even realizing it, have declined to treat low-income patients out of fear that they would end up trying to get money by suing them.

Anyone who has been hurt by someone in the medical field should be aware that they may be able to recoup financial compensation for their injuries.

Source: HealthDay News, "Poor Patients Less Likely to Sue Doctors, Analysis Shows," Mary Elizabeth Dallas, Feb. 28, 2012