May 9, 2025 by matray

The Medical Professional Liability Association (MPL Association) has announced that Frank Lavoie, MD, will receive the 2025 Award of Excellence in Honor of Peter Sweetland. Dr. Lavoie is being honored for his outstanding contributions and longtime dedication to the MPL insurance community, the MPL Association and healthcare professionals. The MPL Association is the leading international organization representing the medical professional liability insurance community.

Dr. Lavoie was president and chief executive officer of Medical Mutual Insurance Company of Maine for nine years, and a member of the company’s board for 12 years. Prior to his appointment as president and CEO, he had a long career in hospital administration, including roles as chief medical officer and chief operating officer.

Dr. Lavoie served on the MPL Association’s Board of Directors for seven years. In addition, he was a member of the Nominating Committee and the Finance & Audit Committee, as well as serving as chair of the CEO/COO Section and Regional Member Roundtable.

“Dr. Lavoie has been a dedicated and exemplary member of the medical profession and of the MPL community," said MPL Association Board Chair J. Michael Conerly, MD, LAMMICO president and CEO. "We are very pleased to honor him for his extraordinary commitment to the physician community, the MPL industry and this Association. We are so pleased to be able to honor his career that has supported quality delivery of healthcare, the important work of medical professionals, and the mission of this organization.”

“We are truly appreciative of Dr. Lavoie’s service to the MPL Association,” said Eric R. Anderson, MPL Association interim president and CEO. “The Association prospers thanks to the contributions of steadfast members such as Dr. Lavoie and we applaud his tremendous work on both our behalf and on behalf of all of those who have a stake in the protection and provision of healthcare.”

The award will be presented on May 22 at the MPL Association Conference held in Austin, Texas.

The MPL Association Award of Excellence in Honor of Peter Sweetland, established in 1993 by the MPL Association’s Board of Directors, was created in honor of the late Peter Sweetland, one of the Association’s chief architects and most fervent supporters. The award recognizes an individual who has provided exemplary service to the industry and the MPL Association, and who epitomizes the high ideals and ethics for which Peter Sweetland stood.

May 7, 2025 by matray

Below are some headlines and article synopses from the May 2025 issue of Medical Liability Monitor. To read the articles in their entirety, please subscribe today.

Pregnancy-Related Deaths Surge Nearly 28% in U.S., Widening Racial and Geographic Disparities
A new national analysis published in JAMA Network Open last month reveals a 27.7% surge in pregnancy-related deaths in the United States between 2018 and 2022, highlighting urgent public health concerns and persistent disparities by race, socioeconomic status and geography. As maternal mortality rates climb — especially in states with under-resourced healthcare systems and enduring racial, socioeconomic and geographic inequities — claims related to obstetric and postpartum care can be expected to increase in both frequency and severity …

CARE RRG Placed into Rehabilitation by Vermont Court
The Vermont Superior Court for Washington County last month ordered CARE Risk Retention Group into rehabilitation due to concerns over the medical professional liability insurer’s “hazardous financial condition” …

AM Best Maintains ‘Stable’ Outlook for Medical Professional Liability Segment
AM Best is maintaining its “Stable” outlook for the U.S. medical professional liability insurance segment in 2025, citing strong capital positions, favorable investment conditions and the industry’s proven resilience amid a complex operating environment …

Medical Societies Urge Ohio Supreme Court to Review Reversal of Defense Verdict in Malpractice Case
The Ohio State Medical Association, American Medical Association, Ohio Hospital Association and Ohio Osteopathic Association filed an amicus curiae memorandum last month urging the Supreme Court of Ohio to accept jurisdiction over the appeal in Rau v. Miami Valley Hospital et al. The Court of Appeals of Ohio 2nd Appellate District reversed a defense verdict on Jan. 3, citing prejudicial error by the trial court in admitting evidence related to informed consent, discussions of specific procedural risks and cumulative expert testimony …

Calif. AG Warns Insurers to Comply with Law Protecting MedMal Coverage for Reproductive, Gender-Affirming Care
California Attorney General Rob Bonta recently sent letters to 15 medical professional liability insurance companies, reminding them of their obligations under Assembly Bill 571 and requesting copies of their policies to demonstrate compliance with the law. AB 571 provides protections for California healthcare providers who offer often-contentious services such as abortion, contraception and gender-affirming care …

Missouri Jury Awards Record $48.1M Verdict in Birth Injury Case
A St. Louis County jury recently awarded the largest medical malpractice verdict in Missouri history for an infant neurologically injured at birth. The $48.1 million verdict surpassed the previous record of $34.1 million set in a 2021 case against CoxHealth Hospital in Springfield, Mo. …

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May 7, 2025 by matray

Lockton announced that Ethan Crain and Rebecca Cady have joined the company to co-lead its national Healthcare Practice, underscoring the broker's continued investment in industry specialization and commitment to serving the healthcare industry.

“Rapidly evolving regulations, threats to federal funding and reimbursement, uncertainty around supply chain and continued workforce challenges are threatening the ability of healthcare organizations to deliver consistent high-quality care,” said Chris DiLullo, Lockton’s U.S. Industry Practices Leader. “Ethan and Rebecca’s expertise positions us to address the multifaceted challenges facing healthcare today. Their focus on advancing our capabilities places Lockton at the forefront of advice around industry trends, helping clients manage risk, and deliver better outcomes that align with a rapidly changing environment.”

Crain joins Lockton from Marsh, where he most recently served as a managing director for its Healthcare Practice in the Northeast. He has spent more than 25 years working with healthcare clients and leading teams of brokers who provide solutions for complex insurance needs across all areas of risk in the healthcare industry. He is a multi-year Risk & Insurance Power Broker winner and sits on the board of directors of The Schwartz Center for Compassionate Healthcare.

Cady joins Lockton as an accomplished healthcare legal and risk management expert. She most recently served as chief risk officer at Children’s National Hospital and previously had a distinguished legal career at Grace Hollis Lowe Hanson & Schaefer. Rebecca is a former president of the American Society for Healthcare Risk Management (ASHRM) and has been recognized as a Business Insurance Women to Watch, ASHRM Risk Manager of the Year, Risk & Insurance All Star and RIMS Risk Manager of the Year.

“Lockton has always been dedicated to serving the healthcare industry,” Crain said. “Today’s healthcare organizations are being asked to do more with less, and I look forward to building on our deep bench of healthcare industry talent and continuing to help clients solve their key challenges.”

Cady added, “This is an exciting opportunity to bring the voice of the client to the industry. Lockton’s private ownership, commitment to client service, and culture of empowerment enable us to offer specialized solutions for healthcare organizations.”

Crain will be based in Boston and Cady will be based in Washington, D.C. Both will report to Chris DiLullo.

May 5, 2025 by matray

EmPRO Insurance Co. today announced the opening of its Boston office, the company’s first in Massachusetts. The move marks a major milestone in EmPRO’s strategic expansion into the New England market, which the medical liability insurer says underscores its commitment to becoming a key medical malpractice insurance company throughout the Northeast Region, following prior entries into New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

To support its expansion in the region, the company has hired three industry veterans with more than 70 years of combined experience. Michael Miller, EmPRO's newly appointed vice president of underwriting, who will lead the Boston office, is joined by Michael Kubik, vice president of business development, and Brian Kriger, vice president of underwriting.

Miller previously worked at Boston-based Coverys, where he served as vice president of underwriting. In his new role, Miller will oversee the company’s Massachusetts operations, leveraging his experience and local market knowledge. He will also drive business growth in Connecticut while seeking opportunities to expand into other New England markets.

“I am excited to join EmPRO at such a pivotal moment in its growth journey,” Miller said. “This opportunity allows me to leverage my extensive experience in the Northeast market to contribute to EmPRO's ongoing evolution into a prominent regional player.”

“The healthcare landscape is undergoing significant changes, with services and providers transcending state lines at a rapid pace. To keep up with these developments, EmPRO will be flexible in our approach and remain committed to personalized service so we can effectively accommodate the diverse needs of healthcare practitioners and businesses throughout the Northeast,” Miller added.

Kubik brings more than 30 years of experience in marketing and new business development at both national and regional levels, having previously worked with MDAdvantage, Gallagher Bassett and Coverys. Kriger has more than 20 years of expertise in medical professional liability underwriting, holding various senior roles throughout his career. Before joining EmPRO, he spent 17 years at MDAdvantage, where he served as vice president of underwriting and policyholder services.

“In an industry where broker and insured relationships are often undervalued, EmPRO is committed to focusing on what truly matters—strong relationships and exceptional service,” Kubik said. “Our proven track record of successfully developing territories and driving profitability speaks for itself, and we look forward to continuing to build on that foundation of trust and expertise.”

“Expanding into new geographic markets is a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of our business, and I am excited to bring our relationship-driven approach and tailored underwriting solutions to the Boston area,” said Bruce Shulan, EmPRO president and CEO. “With Michael’s leadership and the addition of Michael Kubik’s and Brian Kriger’s relationships and local knowledge, EmPRO enters the market with immediate credibility.”

April 30, 2025 by matray

MagMutual Insurance Co. was recently recognized for its leadership in healthcare innovation at the Digital Healthcare Transformation (DHT) Summit, hosted by Kennesaw State University's (KSU) MS in Healthcare Management and Informatics (MSHMI) program.

During the Summit, MagMutual received the Distinguished Leadership in Healthcare Management and Informatics Award for its impactful contributions to innovation, workforce development and economic growth. Brandie Szuda, MagMutual's chief medical informatics data officer and a KSU alumna, was also honored with the 2025 HMI Award of Excellence for her outstanding work.

"MagMutual and Brandie Szuda have been instrumental in advancing our program and the field of healthcare technology," said Dr. Sweta Sneha, executive director of KSU's MSHMI program. "Their continued partnership, insight and mentorship have made a lasting impact on our students and faculty."

"We're proud to be recognized by KSU and to support the development of future healthcare leaders," said Neil Morrell, MagMutual CEO.

The 2025 DHT Summit featured more than 30 speakers from across healthcare, pharma, technology, insurance and finance sectors, and marked the 10th anniversary of KSU's MSHMI program.

April 15, 2025 by matray

AM Best will host an analytical briefing on the state of the U.S. medical professional liability (MPL) insurance sector on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. (EDT).

The event will feature leading market executives and AM Best analysts examining recent and prospective financial results and underwriting and loss trends, as well as health care regulatory developments. AM Best currently holds a stable market segment outlook on the MPL insurance sector due to a number of factors that include firmer market conditions, higher reinvestment rates and improved operating returns. These topics, among others, will be included in the discussion.

To register for the event, please visit http://www.ambest.com/conference/ABMPLI2025/index.html.

Market experts and analysts joining the event are as follows:

• Eric R. Anderson, interim president and CEO, MPL Association
• Ryan J Crawford, CEO, Curi Insurance
• Chad Karls, principal and consulting actuary, Milliman
• Sharon Marks, director, AM Best
• Vicky Riggs, associate director, AM Best

April 8, 2025 by matray

Below are some headlines and article synopses from the April 2025 issue of Medical Liability Monitor. To read the articles in their entirety, please subscribe today.

JAMA Paper Examines Implications of American Law Institute’s MedMal Restatement
In a landmark 2024 restatement that could alter the future of medical liability litigation, the American Law Institute (ALI) updated its legal measure for evaluating medical negligence. The change shifts it from a standard reliant on customary medical practice toward a more patient-centered concept of reasonable medical care. A new white paper published in JAMA endorses the change and argues it could improve health outcomes, reduce defensive medicine and improve physician-patient communication …

The Doctors Company to Acquire ProAssurance Corp.
The Doctors Company and ProAssurance Corp. announced last month that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which The Doctors Company will acquire ProAssurance for approximately $1.3 billion. The combined company will have assets totaling approximately $12 billion …

U.S. Supreme Court to Rule on State Affidavit Requirements in Federal Cases
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to determine whether state statutes requiring an expert affidavit of merit in medical liability cases should apply in federal court. Under the Erie Doctrine, when state-law cases are filed in or removed to federal court based on diversity jurisdiction, the federal court applies state substantive law but follows federal procedural law. The Supreme Court will reassess the Erie Doctrine and clarify the relationship between state statutes and federal procedural rules …

Montana Increases Medical Malpractice Damage Cap
A bill increasing Montana’s cap on noneconomic damages for medical liability lawsuits and tying it to inflation passed both the state House and Senate last month and is awaiting Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signature …

MPL Year-End 2024 Operating Results Remain Favorable Despite Below Average Underwriting Experience
Despite recording its ninth consecutive year of underwriting loss, with a combined ratio of approximately 106.5%, the MPL industry’s operating margin was 16.6% in 2024. The MPL industry will need to continue working toward improved underwriting results. For now, however, the industry’s underwriting losses remain offset by investment returns …

Utah Passes MedMal Tort Reform Package, Damage Cap Stripped Out
The Utah Legislature passed a bill last month requiring physicians to maintain a medical malpractice insurance policy of at least $1 million. It also protects physicians from having their personal income or assets pursued by plaintiffs if an award exceeds their liability coverage …

Subscribe today to get this issue (as well as the 2024 and 2025 Annual Rate Survey at no additional cost).

April 3, 2025 by matray

MagMutual Insurance Co. announced a major upgrade to its digital resources for PolicyOwners and their insurance agents with a series of enhancements to its popular Learning Center.

"The MagMutual Learning Center has rapidly gained widespread popularity among PolicyOwners as a valuable and proven tool for helping our healthcare providers and leaders understand and reduce their risk," said William S. Kanich, MD, JD, executive chairperson of MagMutual. "We're excited to transform this resource to make it easier, faster and more convenient for PolicyOwners to access the wealth of risk mitigation and regulatory information we offer online."

MagMutual transformed the online resource to make it easier, faster and more convenient for PolicyOwners to access the range of risk mitigation and regulatory information it offers online. Along with a streamlined, redesigned experience that makes it easier and faster for MagMutual PolicyOwners to access timely information and content 24/7, the revitalized Learning Center offers ready access to CME- and discount-eligible content. Healthcare providers can now earn CME credits on a wide range of topics simply by reading articles, as well as taking the courses posted in the Learning Center. In addition, partial credits can be seamlessly combined into a single certificate for easier reporting. Discount-eligible policyholders can also easily filter for qualifying content, ensuring they maximize their benefits with minimal effort.

Insurance agents can view content and assignments for their clients as well as download activity logs and CME credits earned.

MagMutual's Learning Center currently offers more than 400 different resources focused on risk mitigation and risk management across healthcare specialties and practice settings. A study conducted by MagMutual of 35,796 providers found a strong correlation between the number of risk mitigation courses taken and medical malpractice losses. Specifically, for every course taken the reported loss costs decreased by 3.2%, on average.

MagMutual PolicyOwners and their agents can now access the Learning Center through MyMagmutual found at http://www.MagMutual.com.  

April 1, 2025 by matray

Leavitt Select Insurance Services has announced the hiring of Stewart Pierce, a seasoned insurance professional with more than 35 years of experience in the medical professional liability (MPL) insurance segment. Pierce is joining forces with fellow MPL veterans Steve Hammond and Toni Van Ekelenburg, both of whom he previously worked with at UMIA Insurance Inc., formerly known as Utah Medical Insurance Association. Together, their team brings decades of industry-leading experience to serve physicians, medical groups and hospitals throughout the U.S.

“We are thrilled to welcome Pierce to our team, and excited for the work that he, Hammond and Van Ekelenburg will be doing,” said Aaron Cottle, managing partner at Leavitt Select Insurance Services. “Their decades of experience in underwriting and policyholder relations, combined with their commitment to helping healthcare providers manage risk, will be a tremendous asset to our clients.”

April 1, 2025 by matray

EmPRO Insurance Co. has reported for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, admitted assets of $571.8 million — an increase of 17.3% — with liabilities of $466.4 million, reserves of $349.7 million and a surplus of $105.4 million. EmPRO grew net income to $18.3 million on gross written premium of $190.2 million, while achieving a strong combined ratio of 87.9%.