Louisiana Medical Malpractice Information

  • What is the average medical malpractice settlement in Louisiana?

    The average medical malpractice payment in Louisiana for 2023 was $303,756. Going back to 2004, the average malpractice payment in the database is $199,621.

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

    In 2023, there were 220 medical malpractice payments made in Louisiana. Among all of the various jurisdictions, this ranked number 14 out of 52 in terms of raw numbers, but when viewed in terms of claims per capita, Louisiana ranked number 8 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 Louisiana?

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

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

    Among all claims, the vast majority (about 70%) of the payments are associated with care provided by MDs. Louisiana is no exception. The second highest type of healthcare provider associated with malpractice claims in Louisiana is a nurse practitioner.

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.
Louisiana Medical Malpractice Payment Amounts By Year
Louisiana Medical Malpractice Payments By Year

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

YearStateAmountAllegationFull Report
2015Louisiana$11,500,000Improper Performance
2023Louisiana$7,450,000Improper Technique
2008Louisiana$5,350,000Wrong Procedure or Treatment
2019Louisiana$4,950,000Failure to Identify Fetal Distress
2024Louisiana$4,750,000Failure to Recognize a Complication
2021Louisiana$4,550,000Failure to Recognize a Complication
2022Louisiana$4,550,000Improper Performance
2019Louisiana$4,450,000Delay in Diagnosis
2019Louisiana$4,450,000Failure to Diagnose
2013Louisiana$4,250,000Surgical or Other Foreign Body Retained

Louisiana Statistics at a Glance

Average Payment (2004-2024): $199,621

Total Payments in Database (2004-2024): 6,311

Average Payment (2023): $303,756

Total Number of Payments (2023): 220

Rank in Average Payment (2004-2024): 47

Rank in Number of Payments Per Capita (2022): 8 of 52 Jurisdictions

Most Common Allegation (2023): Failure to Diagnose

Most Common Allegation (2022): Failure to Diagnose

Most Common Nature of Claim (2023): Diagnosis Related - 36% of all payments

Type of Provider with Most Payments: Physician (MD)

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