A recent survey conducted by ISMS and ISMIE Mutual found that Illinois physicians remain highly apprehensive about the threat of lawsuits as they care for their patients. Of the more than 1,100 physicians who responded:

• Two thirds of Illinois physicians (66%) reported that they have personally reduced or eliminated
  high-risk services.
• Nine out of ten respondents (89%) reported that liability concerns have caused them to order more
  tests than are medically needed; one third (33%) indicate that they always order extra tests.
• 82% of respondents reported that they view every patient as a liability risk.

"These data highlight the desperate situation many Illinois physicians are facing," said ISMS President Steven M. Malkin, MD, in a news release. "All we want is to care for our patients according to their medical needs, but the constant threat of jackpot lawsuits makes it extremely difficult not to practice 'defensive medicine.'"

Illinois' turbulent medical lawsuit climate appeared to be stabilizing following the enactment of meaningful reforms in 2005. However, the Illinois Supreme Court’s ill-considered decision to strike down our medical lawsuit reform law could result in a resurgence of costly, unnecessary litigation.

"This situation is not sustainable, and the Supreme Court justices who voted against this vital law may face strong opposition at the polls this November," remarked ISMIE Chairman Harold L. Jensen, MD, when asked about the pressure felt by physicians due to medical lawsuit concerns.