--- title: Pennsylvania Loosens Venue Laws for Medical Malpractice Suits description: After two decades of stability Pennsylvania has enacted new laws that seek to dramatically loosen venue laws for med-mal cases in the state. image: https://www.ethosinsurance.com/hubfs/Pennsylvania%20Loosens%20Venue%20Laws%20for%20Medical%20Malpractice%20Suits.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/pennsylvania-loosens-venue-laws-for-medical-malpractice-suits#maincontent) [«  View All Posts](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog) [ Industry News ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/topic/industry-news) # Pennsylvania Loosens Venue Laws for Medical Malpractice Suits November 3rd, 2022 | 3 min. read By [TJ Payne](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/author/tj-payne) ![](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/hubfs/Pennsylvania%20Loosens%20Venue%20Laws%20for%20Medical%20Malpractice%20Suits.jpg) **August 25th, 2022** – The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania approved [amendments to several laws](https://www.pacourts.us/Storage/media/pdfs/20220825/163004-aug.25,2022-civilproceduralrulescommitteeadoptionreport.pdf) surrounding the medical malpractice arena, as brought by the Civil Procedural Rules Committee (CPRC). 20 years ago, [rules 1006(a.1)](https://www.pacourts.us/Storage/media/pdfs/20220825/162854-aug.25,2022-amendmentofpa.r.civ.p.1006,2130,2156,and2179.pdf), [2130](https://casetext.com/regulation/pennsylvania-code-rules-and-regulations/title-231-rules-of-civil-procedure/part-i-general/chapter-2120-partnerships-as-parties/rule-2130-effective-112023-venue-in-an-action-against-a-partnership), [2156](https://casetext.com/regulation/pennsylvania-code-rules-and-regulations/title-231-rules-of-civil-procedure/part-i-general/chapter-2150-unincorporated-associations-as-parties/rule-2156-effective-112023-venue-in-an-action-against-an-unincorporated-association), and [2179](https://casetext.com/regulation/pennsylvania-code-rules-and-regulations/title-231-rules-of-civil-procedure/part-i-general/chapter-2170-corporations-and-similar-entities-as-parties/rule-2179-effective-until-112023-venue) tightened down where med-mal cases could be tried in the state. The new series of amendments, slated to take effect at the beginning of 2023, will once again allow plaintiffs in medical malpractice suits to shop for venues across the state with relatively few restrictions. [“Legal experts warn the legislation faces a constitutional obstacle, and they say the rule reversal alone won’t expose doctors to baseless legal claims.”](https://www.penncapital-star.com/health-care/dire-predictions-follow-pa-supreme-courts-loosening-of-medical-malpractice-filing-rules/) ## Opposition to the Change The changes proposed by the CPRC have received opposition from the [healthcare community and defense bar,](https://www.whiteandwilliams.com/resources-alerts-BREAKING-NEWS-PA-Supreme-Court-Amends-Venue-Rule-for-Medical-Malpractice-Matters) citing fears of [rising insurance rates](https://www.penncapital-star.com/health-care/dire-predictions-follow-pa-supreme-courts-loosening-of-medical-malpractice-filing-rules/) and an [increase in frivolous lawsuits](https://www.gettysburgtimes.com/opinion/staff_columns/article_e14a46be-55e6-551a-af1c-6a27f1f145fd.html). Seeking to overturn the ruling, [Representative Torren C. Ecker](https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house_bio.cfm?id=1862) announced his opposition and [submitted a memorandum to legislation](https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20210&cosponId=37809). ## In Support of the Change In the [CPRC Adoption Report](https://www.pacourts.us/Storage/media/pdfs/20220825/163004-aug.25,2022-civilproceduralrulescommitteeadoptionreport.pdf), three primary arguments were identified in support of the rule change request, as [highlighted by the National Law Review](https://www.natlawreview.com/article/pennsylvania-supreme-court-approves-alternate-venue-options-medical-malpractice): > 1. The court’s own data showed that medical malpractice filings had significantly decreased in the past 15 years. > 2. Not only was there a significant decrease in the number of cases filed, but also in the number of claim payments—resulting in less compensation for victims of medical malpractice. > 3. The current venue rule provides special treatment for a particular class of defendants, with the soon-to-be-implemented changes providing fairness of process. ---   ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­**Get the right coverage for your healthcare professional liability clients.** Book a 15-minute call with an Ethos healthcare professional liability expert to see how you can better serve your clients as soon as today.     Staying up to date on important industry matters will help you make the best possible decisions for your clients. Register for our mailing list to make sure you never miss essential industry news again.   [ TJ Payne ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/author/tj-payne) TJ’s work spans marketing, operations, technology, and process development, all centered on improving the experience of retail insurance agents. Before joining Ethos in 2022, he held marketing roles at Western Washington University and Amazon, following nearly a decade in the service and hospitality industry. That background continues to shape his approach to communications, emphasizing clarity, responsiveness, and long-term relationship building over persuasion. TJ is especially drawn to solving complex brand and operational challenges, with a focus on strengthening Ethos’ position as a premier wholesale partner specializing in Healthcare Professional Liability (HPL) insurance. Outside of work, he trains in boxing and enjoys reading and writing, bringing the same patience, discipline, and attention to craft to every aspect of his work and life. Connect: [mailto:tpayne@ethosinsurance.com](mailto:tpayne@ethosinsurance.com) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [### Industry News: TDC Completes Acquisition of ProAssurance June 26th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/industry-news-tdc-completes-acquisition-of-proassurance) [### Zurich to Acquire Beazley in £8 Billion ($11 Billion) Deal February 26th, 2026|3 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/zurich-to-acquire-beazley-in-8-billion-11-billion-deal) [### Industry News: Sompo to Acquire Aspen in $3.5 Billion Cash Deal September 3rd, 2025|2 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/industry-news-sompo-to-acquire-aspen-in-3.5-billion-cash-deal) [### Industry News: CARE Risk Retention Group Placed into Rehabilitation by Vermont DFR April 29th, 2025|1 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/industry-news-care-risk-retention-group-placed-into-rehabilitation-by-vermont-dfr) [### Hudson Launches Digital Health Program April 10th, 2024|1 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/hudson-launches-digital-health-program) [### American Physician Partners (APP) Goes Out of Business; Hardships Following No Suprises Act (NSA) August 22nd, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/american-physician-partners-app-goes-out-of-business-hardships-following-no-suprises-act-nsa) [### MagMutual Completes Acquisition of MDAdvantage August 9th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/magmutual-completes-acquisition-of-mdadvantage) [### MagMutual Announces New Combination Cyber & Regulatory Liability Policy April 28th, 2023|1 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/magmutual-announces-new-combination-cyber-regulatory-liability-policy) [### Core Specialty Acquires Hallmark E&S November 1st, 2022|2 min read ](https://www.ethosinsurance.com/blog/core-specialty-acquires-hallmark-es) [### What Is the New MICRA and What Does It Change? 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