2025 Physician Medical Malpractice Payment Reports by State
Darker states indicate a higher number of medical malpractice payment reports relative to the number of active, state-licensed physicians. Both MD and DO physicians are included.
Payment reports
9,859
50 states + D.C.
Estimated physicians
1,106,197
Active state-licensed MD/DO
National rate
8.91
Reports per 1,000 physicians
Highest rate
New Mexico
26.44 per 1,000
All states and D.C.
Ranked by reports per 1,000 physicians
| Rank | State | Reports / 1,000 | Payment reports | Average payout | Est. licensed physicians |
|---|
Methodology and definitions
- Map rate: 2025 medical malpractice payment reports divided by estimated active state-licensed physicians, multiplied by 1,000.
- Payment report: an NPDB Medical Malpractice Payment Report—not every lawsuit, allegation, pending claim, dismissal, or defense verdict.
- Average payout: total reported payout divided by report count. Public NPDB payment amounts are range-coded, so averages are estimates.
References
- National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), Data Analysis Tool
- National Practitioner Data Bank, Public Use Data File
- NPDB Public Use Data File Format Specifications
- ConsumerShield, Medical Malpractice Payouts by State
- KFF State Health Facts, Professionally Active Physicians
- U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 State Population Estimates