<p>Malpractice costs vary from state to state due differences in legal climate, statewide history of claims paid, and presence or absence of competing insurers in the state. </p>
<p>Doctors believe legal climate is in large part determined by the presence or absence of a cap on non-economic damages; the presence of a medical malpractice screening board also tends to limit frivolous lawsuits. </p>
<p>Lawyers believe profiteering insurance companies and increasing numbers of “bad” doctors have caused the increase in premiums.</p>
<p>Insurance companies blame the legal climate and the doctors.</p>
<p>For a decidedly “anti-lawyer” opinion on medical malpractice costs, see the 2003 article at Trial Lawyers Inc: <a href=“http://www.triallawyersinc.com/html/part06.html[/url]”>http://www.triallawyersinc.com/html/part06.html</a></p>