Tort reform and malpractice liability insurance.

Legal factors related to the malpractice liability insurance purchased by general dentists in the United States were investigated using a comprehensive multivariate model that assessed the contribution of legal provisions affecting the probability of a malpractice claim, the probability of a payment, and the average size of the payment. General practice dentists in the United States were selected randomly, and 3,048 dentists were studied by mail survey. A number of legal statutes (periodic payment allowed, percentage fault liability informed consent limits, limits on res ipsa loquitor, attorney fee control, some statute of limitations provisions) had the intended effect of reducing the malpractice insurance sought by dentists. Other provisions, such as binding arbitration, may have unintended cost-raising effects. Previous malpractice claims were associated with purchasing greater amounts of insurance. These findings have implications for future changes in the legal system as part of health care reform.