onward average, nursing homes paid ...

onward average, nursing homes paid 51% more for medical-malpractice premiums in 2003 compared with the previous year, according to a fresh study by Aon Risk Consultants Inc., which said the industry is a key-note target for litigation as commonness and severity of claims have risen during the past 10 years.

The average increase in annual premiums was lower than in previous years, moreover the cumulative effect of the past three years has been staggering, said Theresa Bourdon, managing director and actuary with Aon Risk Consultants, a unit of Aon Corp. Premiums onward average increased 143% in 2002 and 131%