Medical lawsuits hit record high

The number of medical malpractice lawsuits surged to hit a fresh high last year, with more patients winning the cases, data showed Sunday.

According to the Supreme Court, about 1,100 lawsuits relating to medical malpractice were filed in 2013, the highest figure since 2002.

The number of plaintiffs winning cases against doctors and hospitals also increased to 289, exceeding 30 percent of all cases for two consecutive years.

Fewer plaintiffs gave up in the middle of legal fights than before. Only 47 cases out of some 1,000 settled suits were withdrawn last year, down 6 percent from 2002.

(rene@heraldcorp.com)