New York's Medical Malpractice Bill Rises

Medical malpractice cases cost the city $155.2 million in 2006, up 6% from the $145.9 million of the year before, according to a claims report published yesterday by the city comptroller's office.

Even as costs increased, they fell short of the high of $195.4 million in 2003. The number of malpractice claims filed also dropped in 2006, to 699, the lowest number in a decade and 15% less than some 820 claims filed in 2005.

Settlements among the city's 11 public hospitals increased to $152 million in 2006, up 20% from $126.5 million in 2005.

The hospital with the most malpractice claims filed against it was Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn, which had 98 claims filed against it in 2006, up from 93 the year before. Kings County also cost the city the most in settlements. The city paid $33.6 million in settlements there in 2006, up from $26.6 million in 2005.

The volume of malpractice cases and the cost of settlements in New York are among the highest in the country. Elected officials and members of the medical community have called for reform, and last month Governor Spitzer announced the formation of a task force to identify possible remedies, including tort reform.