Massachusetts General Laws ch. 112 sec. 5C – Reports by insurers of medical malpractice claims or actions; liability
Section 5C. Every insurer or risk management organization which provides professional liability insurance to a registered physician shall report to the board any claim or action for damages for personal injuries alleged to have been caused by error, omission, or negligence in the performance of such physician’s professional services where such claim resulted in:
Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 112 sec. 5C
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- Settlement: Parties to a lawsuit resolve their difference without having a trial. Settlements often involve the payment of compensation by one party in satisfaction of the other party's claims.
(a) A final judgment in any amount,
(b) A settlement in any amount, or
(c) A final disposition not resulting in payment on behalf of the insured.
Reports shall be filed with the board no later than thirty days following the occurrence of any event listed in paragraph (a), (b), or (c).
Such reports shall be in writing on a form prescribed by the board and shall contain the following information:
(a) the name, address, specialty coverage, and policy number of the physician against whom the claim is made; and
(b) name, address and age of the claimant or plaintiff; and
(c) nature and substance of the claim; and
(d) date when and place at which the claim arose; and
(e) the amounts paid, if any, and the date and manner of disposition, judgment, settlement, or otherwise; and
(f) the date and reason for final disposition, if no judgment or settlement; and
(g) such additional information as the board shall require. No insurer or its agents or employees shall be liable in any cause of action arising from reporting to the board as required in this section.