



The problem, a decade ago, was spinning wildly out of control.

That's when the state court did two things: required attorneys to get certificates of merit from medical professionals as proof a legitimate case existed and put an end to "venue shopping" to cut down on cases brought in Philly courts known for high awards.

The result? There is, as of 2011, a 44% decline in med-mal filings statewide since 2002, and a 65% decline in Philly.

In 2002, there were 2,904 filings statewide (almost half in Philly); in 2011, there were 1,528 statewide, 418 in Philly. Here's a county-by-county chart released by the court.

Chief Justice Ron Castille said, "What we’re seeing is essentially a leveling off in what had been a growing decline in numbers that is not surprising. Although the numbers are likely to show slight changes in the years ahead, the pattern suggests a solid footing for the systematic tracking and rule changes initiated and instituted a decade ago by the Supreme Court to address concern over medical malpractice litigation.”

As a veteran cynic and general critic of almost all that government does, I find it's nice to  once in a while see something that actually works.