A new study published in the February 25 online edition of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research looked at whether low income patients are more likely to sue their doctors, which is allegedly a common belief among many physicians.

The study conducted by Dr. Ramon Jimenez and others found that the stereotype of lower income patients filing medical malpractice lawsuits more often is just that – a stereotype. The study found that low income patients often had barriers to filing lawsuits such as lack of access to legal resources and lack of funds with which to begin a medical malpractice claim.

The study’s authors express concern that this stereotype of low income patients may be potentially dangerous because it may lead doctors to treat low income patients differently or not to treat them at all.

The study recommends that further training be provided to doctors so that they may be aware of cultural differences that may affect health care and so that the quality of medical care, and the disparity in medical malpractice litigation claims, may be equalized.

To reach their conclusions, researchers in this medical malpractice study examined previous research to analyze litigation rates and the filing of medical malpractice claims among different socio-economic groups.

Our experienced Atlanta medical malpractice attorneys remind everyone who may have been hurt by a doctor or hospital’s negligence that they may be able to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Georgia, regardless of income level. We wish anyone who has been hurt a quick and complete recovery.