Medical Malpractice Insurance
Drivers have liability insurance in case they make a mistake that causes harm to another person. Doctors have medical malpractice insurance for the same reason. If you are ever harmed by a careless healthcare provider, it is important you understand medical malpractice insurance and how it may affect your claim.
What Is the Purpose of Medical Malpractice Insurance?
Medical malpractice insurance is a specialized type of professional liability insurance. It protects physicians and other types of licensed health care providers, such as dentists, nurses, psychologists, and pharmacists from liability associated with wrongful medical practices that cause injury to patients. If a doctor is sued for providing negligent health care, malpractice insurance can protect the doctor from personal liability and cover damages stemming from the claim against them.
Medical malpractice insurance can be purchased as:
- Coverage provided as part of a policy held by the provider’s employer
- An individual or group policy purchased from a traditional private insurer
- An individual or group policy obtained through an organization of medical professionals that is organized specifically to provide professional liability insurance
How much medical malpractice insurance costs depends on a number of factors, including the claims history with the profession involved, the specific type of medicine practiced, the state where the medical professional practices, and the insurance provider. Medical malpractice insurance premiums may also increase over time in tandem with the change in the number and value of medical malpractice claims.
Medical malpractice insurance usually takes one of two forms:
- Occurrence policy – An occurrence policy covers claims made during the period when the coverage was in place, even if the patient makes the claim when the policy is no longer in place.
- Claims-made policy – A claims-made policy only provides coverage if the insurance policy is in place when the treatment occurred and the lawsuit is filed.
What Is Covered?
Medical malpractice insurance covers costs associated with wrongful medical practices that result in bodily injury or medical expenses. This includes expenses associated with defending and settling malpractice claims, including:
- Medical damages
- Compensatory damages
- Arbitration costs
- Settlement costs
- Attorneys’ fees and court costs
What Is Not Covered?
Medical malpractice insurance does not cover intentional criminal behavior, such as liability arising from sexual misconduct, crimes against patients, or inappropriate alteration of medical records.
How Malpractice Insurance May Affect Your Claim
If a medical malpractice policy is in place, you can make a claim against this policy and can potentially resolve your claim without having to go to court.
How Serious Injury Law Group Can Help with Your Medical Malpractice Insurance Claim
If you are harmed by a careless medical professional, Serious Injury Law Group is here to help. Our Alabama medical malpractice lawyers are committed to the local community and hold negligent medical professionals responsible for the harm they cause. Our tough negotiators can often secure a favorable settlement in your favor by making a claim against the provider’s medical malpractice insurance policy. However, our seasoned litigators are never afraid to take your case to court, if necessary. Contact us today for your free case review.
Attorney Gerald Brooks graduated from the University of Alabama twice — with an undergraduate degree in business in 1998 and with a law degree in 2002. Brooks’ practice focuses solely on personal injury cases, and he has achieved some significant outcomes on behalf of his clients. They include a medical malpractice jury verdict of $3.5 million, a jury verdict of $380,000 in a motor vehicle case, and multiple seven-figure settlements in medical malpractice and trucking cases.