A 2015 analysis found that male doctors were nearly two and a half times more likely to have legal claims made against them than women doctors. These findings were similar across a number of countries. The current Medscape survey also reflected this disparity: two thirds (64%) of male respondents reported being sued compared with slightly less than half of women (49%). Women are also far less likely to be the only named defendant in a suit (8% vs 14%). Women are sued less than men regardless of specialty. Physicians sued by gender and specialty. Male physicians did have a slight edge (47%) over women (41%) in cases resolved in favor of the defendant either from dismissal or by verdict. Sex appeared to play no role in the percentage of cases that reached a settlement before or during trial (38% of men and 37% of women). According to the question on the experience of being sued, men and women seemed to differ on the intensity of its negative effect. Fifty-seven percent of women chose the most negative options: very bad (20%) or horrible—the worse experience of their lives (37%). Forty-five percent of men had these extreme responses (20% and 26%, respectively). About half of men (51%) said that it was merely unpleasant and irritating or upsetting, but they could function. Fewer women (41%) chose these less extreme options. Four percent of men and 2% of women were either neutral or thought it wasn't as bad as they thought it would be. Source
