2022 JVR SETTLEMENTS REPORT Med-mal Settlement Amounts Rebound from 10-Year Low
Medical malpractice settlements fell to the second largest category of cases representing 30% of the 663 settlements in the 2022 JVR Settlements Report, and the total settlement amount rebounded from the 10-year low last year. There were 201 medical malpractice settlements with a total value of $359 million. That is up 27% from the $282 million in 2021, but still down 34% from the $546 million in 2020. The average settlement of $1.8 million increased by 20% from $1.5 million in 2021, but was still well below the $2.3 million average in 2020. The top medical malpractice settlement involved a failure to diagnose a brain aneurysm resulting in a rupture and seri- ous injury. The $20 million settlement was handled by Clifford Law Offices.
Cook County continued to be the jurisdiction with the most medical malpractice settlements with 74% of the cases and 76% of the revenue. Settling a medical malpractice case in Cook County continues to bring a premium with the aver- age amount exceeding non-Cook cases by 15% or $236,000. However, non-Cook cases saw the steepest annual rise in av- erage settlement amounts climbing 71% to $1.6 million from $944,000 in 2021. Medical malpractice trials continued to be rare, but the out- comes in 2022 were more evenly split. Of the 25 cases that went to trial during the current reporting period, the defense win rate was 52%, down from 62% in 2021.
juryverdictreporter@lawbulletinmedia.com
22 JURY VERDICT REPORTER • 2022 ANNUAL TRIAL LAWYER EXCELLENCE AWARDS
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