Debunking myths: Do Poor People Sue Doctors More Often?

By: Angela

According to surveys, most doctors think a poor patient is more likely to sue than a wealthy patient. This turns out to be untrue.  A study recently published in “Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research” shows poor people are actually less likely to sue for malpractice.

From the study’s results: “Contrary to popular perception…poor patients, in fact, tend to sue physicians less often. This may be related to a relative lack of access to legal resources and the nature of the contingency fee system in medical malpractice claims.”

Most of the myths surrounding civil lawsuits malign plaintiffs as being motivated by greed or vengeance. For a fresh look at the civil justice system, watch Hot Coffee, a documentary film that uncovers the truth about cases like the infamous McDonald’s coffee burn lawsuit.