Medical malpractice insurance and orthopedic risk trends

Medical malpractice insurance considerations for 2026 emphasize that physicians must evaluate factors beyond annual premiums, including medical specialty, state regulations, liability limits, and claims history. Key considerations include coverage types such as claims-made versus occurrence bases, the necessity of tail coverage during career transitions, and an insurer’s financial reputation.

In the field of orthopedics, The Doctors Company has released a malpractice risk review to identify patterns in patient harm and negligence allegations. The analysis highlights technical skill issues, such as retained foreign bodies and improper equipment use, as common drivers of claims. Additionally, the report notes that delayed diagnoses of surgical-site infections following arthroplasty, often due to missed follow-ups, are significant contributors to malpractice allegations.