Seven reasons family doctors get sued and how to reduce your risk.

LU ST R A TI O N B Y E LI ZA B ET H L A D A W ith medical malpractice insurance premiums rising sharply across the nation and at least a dozen states facing an insurance crisis, physicians and policymakers are debating vigorously how best to respond. Tort reforms that would cap awards are among the proposals and have proven effective at moderating premiums in several states. [See “Understanding the Physician Liability Insurance Crisis,” FPM, October 2002, page 47.] But while physicians await legislative action or an upturn in the economy to soften the impact of insurance hikes, there is something doctors can do: better manage risk. Risk management involves more than just reading a journal article, listening to a lecture or filling out a workbook. It is a style of practice that endeavors, first and foremost, to prevent patient injuries; second, to avoid malpractice claims; and third, when a claim does occur, to reduce malpractice claim losses.