Most Michigan patients assume their doctors are fully insured in case something goes wrong. Unfortunately, that isn’t always true. In Michigan, physicians are not required to carry medical malpractice insurance. We have seen firsthand how this loophole can devastate injured patients without the means to rebuild their lives.
If a doctor has little or no insurance, even clear cases of negligence may result in minimal compensation. Imagine a newborn left with brain damage after a preventable delivery error. Lifetime care could cost more than $20 million, yet a doctor’s policy might cover only $200,000. That’s all the family may ever receive.
Other states, including Indiana and Wisconsin, require doctors to carry adequate malpractice coverage and contribute to patient compensation funds. Michigan should follow their lead by:
- Requiring all licensed physicians to maintain malpractice insurance;
- Setting minimum coverage levels that reflect real medical costs; and
- Mandating transparency so patients know whether their doctor is insured.
These reforms aren’t meant to punish responsible doctors. They are to protect Michigan families and strengthen trust in the medical system.
No one expects tragedy. But when it happens, patients deserve accountability and justice, not financial devastation. It’s time for Michigan lawmakers to close this dangerous gap and ensure every patient is protected.
By McKeen & Associates, PC, Advocates for Medical Malpractice Victims
Learn more about patient rights and medical malpractice in Michigan:
Medical Malpractice Overview | Birth Injury Cases | Surgical Errors