-
A Florida obstetrician invited to President Bush (news - web sites)'s State of the Union address as an example of doctors squeezed by malpractice insurance costs settled three lawsuits totaling nearly $600,000 in the last three years.
Dr. Denise Baker, who practices in Bradenton, Fla., was sued in connection with cases she handled or assisted with in 1996, 1997 and 2000, according to records kept by the Florida Department of Health. She settled the cases — one involving the death of a baby — for $225,000, $250,000 and $95,000 respectively.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says a typical member can expect to be sued about 2.5 times in his career. And among all doctors, one in six in Florida are sued, compared with one in 12 nationwide, according to ACOG.
Baker's track record was one reason insurers gave in September for wanting to charge her $200,000 for a year of insurance coverage, compared to the $58,000 she previously paid.
