Dear broker partner,
As you are likely aware, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court unilaterally rescinded venue reform in medical malpractice cases with a single-page order, effective January 1, 2023. The effect of venue reform recission was immediate and sustained: Lawsuits filed against healthcare providers in the city of Philadelphia have more than doubled on an annual basis compared to the number of filings in 2022, and are significantly higher than the filings in any of the six years before 2022.[1] As a result, Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has perched atop the American Tort Reform Association’s annual list of American Judicial Hellholes for two years running.
We won't know the full impact of rolling back venue reform until new cases—most of which have no real connection to Philadelphia—go to trial and juries reach their verdicts. However, the results will likely be negative.
On November 4th, three PA Supreme Court justices who helped rescind venue reform are on the ballot for a “yes” or “no” vote. A majority vote of "yes" means the current justices stay on the court for 10 more years. A majority of "No" means they're out at the end of the year, the Governor picks a temporary replacement, and we get a new competitive election in 2027.
Today, we will be sharing this information and access to additional resources (including a new telehealth venue consent form and asset protection information) with PA practices. To see the complete email and details being sent to PA physician and practice members, please view the PA client email here.
Please reach out to your Broker Services Representative with questions.
