Massachusetts Ranks 15th in U.S. for Most Medical Malpractice Payment Reports, Study Finds

Massachusetts recorded the 15th-highest rate of medical malpractice payment reports in the nation, according to a new study analyzing data from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB).

The study reviewed publicly available NPDB records filed between 2021 and 2025 across all 50 states. The research compared the number of malpractice payment reports* with each state’s total number of medical practitioners to calculate a standardized rate per 1,000 practitioners.

Massachusetts recorded 1,219 medical malpractice payment reports during the five-year period. With 19,494 medical practitioners statewide, that equates to 62.5 reports per 1,000 practitioners.

That rate ranked Massachusetts 15th highest nationally.

Massachusetts malpractice payment reports by year

Year    Reports

2021     204
2022     258
2023     270
2024     262
2025     225

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Total  1,219

  

According to Lubin & Meyer founder and medical malpractice attorney Andrew C. Meyer, Jr., these statistics illustrate that “while Massachusetts has a reputation for high-quality medical care, far too many preventable medical errors continue to happen.” 

 

Nearby states where Lubin & Meyer attorneys also practice, ranked as follows:

• Rhode Island recorded 234 malpractice payment reports between 2021 and 2025. With 3,389 practitioners, the state averaged 69 reports per 1,000 practitioners — the 12th-highest rate nationwide.
  
  
• New Hampshire recorded 218 reports during the same period. With 4,187 practitioners, the state averaged 52.1 reports per 1,000 practitioners, ranking 21st nationally.

See how all states ranked here. 

Methodology

The study analyzed publicly available records from the National Practitioner Data Bank covering malpractice payment reports filed between 2021 and 2025. Total reports for each state were divided by the number of medical practitioners in that state during the same period, then multiplied by 1,000 to create a standardized rate. States were ranked from highest to lowest based on the resulting rates.

* NPDB reports generally reflect malpractice payments made on behalf of healthcare practitioners, including settlements and judgments

Lubin & Meyer represents individuals and families in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Questions about a possible medical malpractice claim? Contact us at 617-720-4447 to request a free case evaluation.

View our main website at LubinandMeyer.com 

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