The Doctors Company Releases Orthopedics Claims Risk Review
The Doctors Company has released a new analysis of malpractice claims in orthopedics. The October review provides insights aimed at reducing patient harm and mitigating malpractice exposure for practitioners.
NAPA, Calif. – October 1, 2026 – The Doctors Company, the nation's largest physician-owned medical malpractice insurer, has released its "Orthopedics Claims: October Malpractice Risk Review." This report is the latest in a monthly series analyzing risk trends within specific medical specialties to enhance patient safety and clinical risk management.
The review identifies key risk areas within orthopedic practices, including contributing factors to patient harm such as technical performance issues, retained foreign bodies, and equipment misuse. It also analyzes negligence allegations in orthopedics to help practitioners and staff proactively identify and address potential risks.
Additionally, the report features a case summary highlighting delayed diagnosis of surgical-site infections after arthroplasty. This section emphasizes how missed follow-up care is a significant contributor to malpractice claims against orthopedic providers.
"Malpractice claims provide a powerful lens into how and why patient harm occurs," stated Julie Ritzman, Senior Vice President of Patient Safety and Risk Management at The Doctors Company. "By analyzing orthopedics claims, we can uncover patterns that may be missed in day-to-day practice. These insights help clinicians strengthen communication, sharpen clinical decision-making, and improve care processes—supporting safer care for every patient."
The Doctors Company, founded and led by physicians, insures over 200,000 healthcare professionals and organizations nationwide, focusing on advancing and protecting the practice of medicine.