The Ohio Department of Insurance compiles and periodically releases information concerning medical malpractice lawsuits and outcomes, and much of interest can be gleaned from the department's report.

The most recent study covers data from 2009, just released in what is entitled the Ohio 2009 Medical Professional Liability Closed Claim Report.

Perhaps what is most noteworthy from the report is this: After a number of consecutive years of decline, malpractice lawsuits are rising in Ohio, with more than 3,300 claims being filed during 2009.

There are a number of interesting takeaways that stem from that number. One is that indemnity payments are actually made in only a small fraction of cases. In fact, 76 percent of all filings result in no payment at all, with about 65 percent of all cases eventually being dismissed or abandoned by the plaintiff. Another point to note is that very few cases -- only about five out of every 100 claims -- ever make it to trial and a verdict.

That doesn't mean that plaintiffs aren't prevailing on cases with merit, as they often do through a negotiated settlement. More than 800 malpractice claims filed in 2009 resulted in a money payout for plaintiffs, with nearly 60 of those being in excess of $1 million.

Certain medical specialties are frequent targets of malpractice suits. They include internal medicine, surgery, gynecology, radiology and pediatrics. A clear majority of all filings allege wrongful death

The highest average indemnity in 2009 -- $1,266,637 -- was for permanent injuries such as paralysis and brain damage.

Related Resource: Renal and Urology News, "After Four Years of Decline, Malpractice Suits Increase in Ohio" June 16, 2011