A new report from the state's Chief Justice Ronald D. Castille noted this decline and also showed that physicians and hospitals that took cases to court won 85 percent of cases statewide. Jury verdicts were rendered in 154 cases, and 12 resulted in awards of $1 million or more, including one case in Allegheny County awarding between $5 million and $10 million, according to the report.

Physician and hospital groups have applauded the trend, saying many of the changes are the result of statewide malpractice reforms adopted in 2002.

Read the Inquirer's report about decreasing malpractice suits in Pennsylvania.