Medical liability-the crisis, the reality, and the data: the University of Michigan story.

Background: This study describes, quantifies, and evaluates the University of Michigan Department of Surgery medical malpractice experience for the 1992 to 2002 period. The goal is to gain an understanding of what our claims experience has been, what services are highest risk, and where the financial exposure lies.

Study Design: The study analyzed 308 medical malpractice cases within the Department of Surgery from 1992 through 2002.