Arizona Medical Malpractice Information

  • What is the average medical malpractice settlement in Arizona?

    The average medical malpractice payment in Arizona for 2023 was $380,173. Going back to 2004, the average malpractice payment in the database is $320,060.

  • How many medical malpractice settlements have there been in Arizona?

    In 2023, there were 184 medical malpractice payments made in Arizona. Among all of the various jurisdictions, this ranked number 18 out of 52 in terms of raw numbers, but when viewed in terms of claims per capita, Arizona ranked number 36 of 52, which includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

  • What is the most common type of medical malpractice claim in Arizona?

    Across the country, the most common allegations giving rise to medical malpractice payments are "Failure to Diagnose" and "Improper Performance." Arizona is among those jurisdictions for which the top allegation appearing in the database is "Improper Performance." The second most frequent allegation appearing for Arizona in the database is "Failure to Diagnose."

  • Which type of healthcare provider pays the most medical malpractice claims in Arizona?

    Among all claims, the vast majority (about 70%) of the payments are associated with care provided by MDs. Arizona is no exception. The second highest type of healthcare provider associated with malpractice claims in Arizona is an osteopathic physician (DO).

A few notes about this: The database only shows which claims were paid and does not include claims that were presented but rejected. Also, the database does not include payments by non-providers like health systems and hospitals. There are also some number of claims that go unreported each year. Finally, the information contained in the reports is self-reported by the providers, their insurance companies, and other provider representatives.
Arizona Medical Malpractice Payment Amounts By Year
Arizona Medical Malpractice Payments By Year

The Largest Medical Malpractice Payments for Arizona (2004-2022)

YearStateAmountAllegationFull Report
2019Arizona$7,950,000Failure-to-Obtain Consent or Lack of Informed Consent
2024Arizona$7,450,000Failure to Identify Fetal Distress
2014Arizona$6,950,000Improper Management
2022Arizona$6,450,000Delay in Performance
2021Arizona$3,950,000Intubation Problem
2022Arizona$3,750,000Failure to Order Appropriate Test
2023Arizona$3,750,000Failure to Treat Fetal Distress
2005Arizona$3,450,000Failure to Identify Fetal Distress
2006Arizona$2,950,000Failure to Identify Fetal Distress
2011Arizona$2,950,000Improper Performance

Arizona Statistics at a Glance

Average Payment (2004-2024): $320,060

Total Payments in Database (2004-2024): 4,684

Average Payment (2023): $380,173

Total Number of Payments (2023): 184

Rank in Average Payment (2004-2024): 27

Rank in Number of Payments Per Capita (2022): 36 of 52 Jurisdictions

Most Common Allegation (2023): Improper Performance

Most Common Allegation (2022): Improper Performance

Most Common Nature of Claim (2023): Treatment Related - 37% of all payments

Type of Provider with Most Payments: Physician (MD)

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