Rhode Island Medical Malpractice Information

  • What is the average medical malpractice settlement in Rhode Island?

    The average medical malpractice payment in Rhode Island for 2023 was $734,850. Going back to 2004, the average malpractice payment in the database is $416,964.

  • How many medical malpractice settlements have there been in Rhode Island?

    In 2023, there were 50 medical malpractice payments made in Rhode Island. Among all of the various jurisdictions, this ranked number 42 out of 52 in terms of raw numbers, but when viewed in terms of claims per capita, Rhode Island ranked number 9 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 Rhode Island?

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

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

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

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.
Rhode Island Medical Malpractice Payment Amounts By Year
Rhode Island Medical Malpractice Payments By Year

The Largest Medical Malpractice Payments for Rhode Island (2004-2022)

YearStateAmountAllegationFull Report
2013Rhode Island$11,500,000Failure to Perform Procedure
2010Rhode Island$3,750,000Improper Performance
2004Rhode Island$3,450,000Failure to Monitor
2019Rhode Island$2,750,000Failure to Recognize a Complication
2022Rhode Island$2,750,000Delay in Diagnosis
2019Rhode Island$2,450,000Failure to Diagnose
2014Rhode Island$2,050,000Patient Monitoring Problem
2023Rhode Island$2,050,000Radiology or Imaging Error
2014Rhode Island$1,950,000Delay in Diagnosis
2017Rhode Island$1,950,000Failure to Diagnose

Rhode Island Statistics at a Glance

Average Payment (2004-2024): $416,964

Total Payments in Database (2004-2024): 1,150

Average Payment (2023): $734,850

Total Number of Payments (2023): 50

Rank in Average Payment (2004-2024): 7

Rank in Number of Payments Per Capita (2022): 9 of 52 Jurisdictions

Most Common Allegation (2023): Improper Performance

Most Common Allegation (2022): Improper Performance

Most Common Nature of Claim (2023): Diagnosis Related - 29% of all payments

Type of Provider with Most Payments: Physician (MD)

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