Sweden's no-fault patient-injury insurance

Abstract

Sweden has introduced a nationwide nofault patient-injury compensation plan. The plan was not introduced because malpractice insurance costs were high, but because so few injured patients received compensation through the tort liability system. With certain exceptions, compensation is provided for loss that occurs as a result of injury related to hospitalization or medical care. The insurance plan has completed 12 months of operation. It total cost is less than 50 cents per citizen, and it is financed from general tax revenue. Sweden's experience can be projected to a population the size of the United States, and the results compared to United States malpractice liability figures. Such a comparison indicates a total number of awards greater than that of the United States, but a lower average amount per award.