There were fewer lawsuits last year than there were two years ago, according to the Medscape Malpractice Report for 2021 (the most recent year available), with both specialists and primary care physicians reporting less involvement in malpractice cases. The COVID-related slowdown in medical visits appears to have spread to malpractice claims as well. Still, there are many reasons why a patient or caretaker might name doctors in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Here are the top five.