Unfortunately, numerous patients throughout the state of Pennsylvania are injured at the hands of the very medical professionals from whom they have sought assistance for a medical condition of some sort. When a patient suffers an injury as a result of the negligence of hospital staff or other medical professional, he or she may be able to recoup financial compensation for those injuries via medical malpractice lawsuit.

The number of this type of lawsuit being filed in the state has been on the decline over the last few years. In fact, in 2011, that number was down a little over 44 percent from the average recorded between 2000 and 2002. There is a clear reason behind the drop in the number of medical malpractice lawsuits. It is due to tort reform that occurred in 2003 that was designed to cap the payments injured parties could receive.

The legislative changes were made by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2003. The changes require that:

A certificate of merit is provided by a medical professional that indicated that the medical procedure in question in the lawsuit did not meet professional standards.

The medical malpractice lawsuit is filed in the county in which the injury was incurred.

Those who have been hurt due to negligent actions of medical providers should not be discouraged by this news. It does not mean that they will not be able to recover any financial damages for their injuries. A medical malpractice lawyer can help determine the best way to proceed.

Source: Insurance & Financial Advisor, “Pa. medical malpractice filings level off after six-year decline,” Jaime L. Brockway, June 21, 2012