Medical malpractice insurance market in Illinois is strong and claims remain stable

Since 2010, the medical malpractice insurance market in Illinois has grown extensively. The number of companies offering medical malpractice insurance policies for doctors has increased 43 percent.¹ More competition in the marketplace means better premium rates for doctors.

Insurance companies often grossly distort their true financial picture and allege that special laws with catchy names like “tort reform” are needed.  The word “reform” is used deceptively to create the impression that there is something “wrong” with the tort system.  The reality is that the number of medical malpractice claims and payments have both been dropping for nearly two decades.²

Despite cries of too many “nuclear verdicts” (front groups claim these are verdicts in access $10 million – an arbitrary number picked out of thin air), the average amount of paid claims has held relatively steady for the last 15 years. In essence, those injured by negligent doctors are actually receiving less than they did 15 years ago when the numbers are adjusted for inflation.

Insurance companies are simply seeking to change and destroy settled law that gives ordinary people a fair shake in the courtroom.  Their “reforms” are intended and designed to deny injured people their constitutional right to a jury trial under the 7th amendment of the U.S. Constitution.