The continued surge in the number of large medical malpractice jury verdicts and out-of-court settlements presents significant challenges for the medical community and insurers in New York and other parts of the country. With an increasingly complex medico-legal environment and high financial stakes, the need for strategic risk management and medical reform is more pressing than ever.

A study published in the premier medical research journal JAMA has highlighted a troubling trend in patient care following hospital acquisitions by private equity firms. This comprehensive investigation reveals a significant increase in serious medical complications in hospitals post-acquisition. These findings have sparked a broader discussion about the impact of private equity ownership on healthcare quality, patient safety, and the risks of medical negligence.

Medical malpractice is among the leading causes of preventable deaths in the United States, with thousands of patients harmed each year due to avoidable errors by healthcare providers. In New York, the stakes are high in cases involving medical negligence that results in death, as families face the tragic consequences of medical errors compounded by complex legal and regulatory standards.

When a loved one dies due to medical negligence, the financial and emotional toll on families is severe. Beyond the immediate costs of medical treatment and funeral expenses, families may also face the loss of future earnings, household contributions, and companionship. New York law allows the surviving family members to pursue compensation for these losses through wrongful death claims, although it can never fully repair the damage done.