Last visit was: 19 Nov 2025, 09:25 It is currently 19 Nov 2025, 09:25
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
655-705 Level|   Weaken|         
User avatar
gmatt1476
Joined: 04 Sep 2017
Last visit: 27 Mar 2025
Posts: 374
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 62
Posts: 374
Kudos: 25,748
 [308]
15
Kudos
Add Kudos
291
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Most Helpful Reply
User avatar
nightblade354
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 31 Jul 2017
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,781
Own Kudos:
6,822
 [47]
Given Kudos: 3,304
Status:He came. He saw. He conquered. -- Going to Business School -- Corruptus in Extremis
Location: United States (MA)
Concentration: Finance, Economics
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 1,781
Kudos: 6,822
 [47]
34
Kudos
Add Kudos
13
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
User avatar
GMATIntensive
Joined: 22 Jan 2020
Last visit: 05 Sep 2025
Posts: 67
Own Kudos:
2,071
 [32]
Given Kudos: 1
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V47
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V47
Posts: 67
Kudos: 2,071
 [32]
26
Kudos
Add Kudos
6
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
General Discussion
User avatar
LoneSurvivor
Joined: 23 Nov 2016
Last visit: 18 Jul 2021
Posts: 302
Own Kudos:
756
 [7]
Given Kudos: 156
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V33
Products:
GMAT 1: 690 Q50 V33
Posts: 302
Kudos: 756
 [7]
6
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
+1 B


The contingency-fee system, which allows lawyers and their clients to agree that the lawyer will be paid only in the event of success, does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors. As attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research, they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit. Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

Argument Analysis

So the Author is basically arguing that the Contingency fee system won't work as Attorneys bear the cost of time and research and they don't entertain cases which lack merit. Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.


The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to


A. specify the criteria attorneys use to judge the merits of a medical malpractice case

Criterion does not matter ,to weaken the Argument we need to show something that Use of contingency-fee system may decrease the malpractice lawsuits if we consider....

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees

Correct , It Questions in the absence of contingency-fee system will people be less likely to indulge in malpractice ?

C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise

It talks out of Scope, Argument is not about Money, argument is about Malpractices

D. consider the effect of the contingency-fee system on the number of lawsuits sought for reasons other than medical malpractice

Other Medical Malpractices is not a concern.

E. acknowledge the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance

Rising Cost is Out of the Scope of the Argument.
User avatar
gmatt1476
Joined: 04 Sep 2017
Last visit: 27 Mar 2025
Posts: 374
Own Kudos:
25,748
 [5]
Given Kudos: 62
Posts: 374
Kudos: 25,748
 [5]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gmatt1476
The contingency-fee system, which allows lawyers and their clients to agree that the lawyer will be paid only in the event of success, does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors. As attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research, they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit. Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to


A. specify the criteria attorneys use to judge the merits of a medical malpractice case

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees

C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise

D. consider the effect of the contingency-fee system on the number of lawsuits sought for reasons other than medical malpractice

E. acknowledge the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance


CR15380.01

Official Explanation

Argument Evaluation

This question asks us to identify the best criticism of this argument among the given answer choices.

Based on the premise that attorneys will turn away many potential clients who are not likely to win their cases, the argument concludes that a contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors.

In order to understand the argument more fully, we would need to consider whether the alternative to a contingency-fee system—a system wherein a client pays the attorney's fees regardless of outcome—makes it less likely that a potential client would bring a medical malpractice lawsuit against a doctor.

A. While it is true that the argument fails to specify the criteria that attorneys use to judge the merits of a malpractice case, this in no way suggests that such criteria do not exist.

B. Correct. This claim suggests that in the absence of a contingency-fee option, potential clients might hesitate to bring to court even lawsuits with merit. This suggests that there might actually be fewer meritorious malpractice lawsuits against doctors without the contingency-fee option. This would result in an overall reduction in the number of malpractice lawsuits against doctors, which substantially weakens the conclusion.

C. This implies that the contingency-fee option would reduce costs. Therefore, there would be more incentive to bring cases under the contingency-fee option. This strengthens the argument.

D. This is outside the scope of the argument. Note that the conclusion is about medical malpractice lawsuits, so this criticism is immaterial to the argument.

E. Note that medical malpractice insurance is a cost paid by doctors themselves. Therefore, the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance has no effect on the likelihood that a medical malpractice case will be brought to court.

The correct answer is B.
avatar
panopticon
Joined: 01 Feb 2019
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 17
Own Kudos:
21
 [6]
Given Kudos: 99
Location: Canada
Schools: Molson '20
GPA: 3.96
Schools: Molson '20
Posts: 17
Kudos: 21
 [6]
4
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
This is a great question!

The premise states that a certain fee system (which may seem beneficial to clients) does not increase the number of a certain type of lawsuits, medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors. The evidence cited for this lack of increase in medical malpractice suits is that since attorneys want to make sure they win the case (presumably so they can actually make a profit), they will turn away any cases are estimated to have higher costs that gains. The conclusion? Attorneys turn away clients who seem to have cases that lack merit.

How can we weaken the conclusion that the reason that there is not an increase in medical malpractice lawsuits

The contingency-fee system, which allows lawyers and their clients to agree that the lawyer will be paid only in the event of success, does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors. As attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research, they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit. Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to


A. specify the criteria attorneys use to judge the merits of a medical malpractice case
Who cares? In this scenario, we only assume that attorneys are the ones turning clients away... we don't need to get into semantics about the methods they use to do so.

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees
This seems like the right option. Maybe the lack of increases in cases for medical malpractice suits is not due to lawyer rejection, but due to potential clients fearing legal fees? Thus, the addition of a contingency fee option might not increase the amount of suits brought against doctors.

C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise
It is true that this is not noted in the question. This may lead to potential clients not wanting to bring forward these cases under the contingency fee option. HOWEVER, this scenario may also lead lawyers to try to bring in more clients, thus not turning away potential suits, since the costs are lower.

D. consider the effect of the contingency-fee system on the number of lawsuits sought for reasons other than medical malpractice
Irrelevant. We're discussing the increase of lawsuits in one specific area - medical malpractice brought against doctors - we are not provided any evidence that would lead us to infer that cases in an another area would impact cases of medical malpractice.

E. acknowledge the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance
Quite irrelevant. Nowhere does this questions discuss medical malpractice insurance and its implications for such a scenario.
User avatar
aniket16c
User avatar
Current Student
Joined: 20 Oct 2018
Last visit: 05 Feb 2024
Posts: 180
Own Kudos:
154
 [4]
Given Kudos: 57
Location: India
GMAT 1: 690 Q49 V34
GMAT 2: 740 Q50 V40
GPA: 4
GMAT 2: 740 Q50 V40
Posts: 180
Kudos: 154
 [4]
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Quote:
The contingency-fee system, which allows lawyers and their clients to agree that the lawyer will be paid only in the event of success, does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors. As attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research, they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit. Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to

Thank you gmatt1476 for posting this question

Argument - New system - the lawyers are paid only if they win a case. Lawyers need to cover the basic costs. Hence, they will consider only the cases with a good chance of winning.
Conclusion - Thus, the new system will not increase the malpractice lawsuits against doctors

Question type - evaluate


B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees
- Meaning of the option - In absence of such a system, do people who have cases with high chance of winning fail to file a case because of fear of large legal fees. In such a case, the new fee system will give these people confidence that they may not have to incur there larges if the lawyers looses. Hence, their risk of having to pay huge fees decreases --> and thus the claims will increase - Weakens the conclusion
- However, if that is not the case, then the extravagant fees will not deter people with legitimate cases. In such a case, there won't be any effect on the number of people applying - this supports the conclusion

C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise
- This in fact weakens the conclusion.
- Meaning = Resultant award to the person who files the claim = Monetary award - legal costs
- In case of current system - the award < traditional system = we do not know how less the award is - whether it is too significant to demotivate the people or too low to any no effect whatsoever
- If award > traditional system = Again we do not know how much more the award id - whether it is too significant to motivate the people or too low to any no effect whatsoever

Dear Experts,
VeritasKarishma daagh nightblade354 GMATNinja GMATNinjatwo
Please shed some light on this question!
User avatar
KarishmaB
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 16,267
Own Kudos:
76,994
 [9]
Given Kudos: 482
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,267
Kudos: 76,994
 [9]
5
Kudos
Add Kudos
4
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gmatt1476
The contingency-fee system, which allows lawyers and their clients to agree that the lawyer will be paid only in the event of success, does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors. As attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research, they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit. Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to


A. specify the criteria attorneys use to judge the merits of a medical malpractice case

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees

C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise

D. consider the effect of the contingency-fee system on the number of lawsuits sought for reasons other than medical malpractice

E. acknowledge the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance


CR15380.01

Since attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research, they accept only substantial merit cases.
So, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

Conclusion: The contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors.

The argument seems ok, right? Attorneys will take only meritorious cases to increase their chances of making money. But we need to find a criticism of the argument. That is, we need to show that the availability of the option could increase the number of lawsuits.

A. specify the criteria attorneys use to judge the merits of a medical malpractice case

We are only concerned about the number of lawsuits. Whether they are meritorious or not is irrelevant.

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees

This info impacts the number of lawsuits. It tells us that people are more likely to pursue legal route because of contingency-fee option.

So say 100 people initiate litigation in the absence of a contingency-fee option.
But say 200 people initiate litigation due to the availability of the contingency-fee option (people don't have to pay anything to lawyers if they don't win so anyone and everyone could be trying to litigate). Even if lawyers reject 50 of them, still there are 150 litigations against doctors in this case. So the number is higher.
This is the answer.

C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise

The comparison of the fee under contingency-fee option and the fee without contingency-fee option is irrelevant. We are concerned about the number of cases when it is available and when it is not. It depends on how many people want to litigate and how many are accepted. For the people not opting for contingency-fee option, all may be accepted (after all, the lawyer will get paid either way). Of the people opting for contingency-fee option, some may be turned away because they don't have strong cases. So it seems that the contingency-fee option reduces the overall number of lawsuits. We can't show that the option could increase the number of lawsuits.

D. consider the effect of the contingency-fee system on the number of lawsuits sought for reasons other than medical malpractice

Anything other than medical malpractice is irrelevant to our argument.

E. acknowledge the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance

Irrelevant.

Answer (B)
User avatar
AyeeshaJ
Joined: 08 Aug 2019
Last visit: 07 Dec 2021
Posts: 18
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 136
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V34
GPA: 3.5
Products:
GMAT 1: 700 Q50 V34
Posts: 18
Kudos: 41
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Went through all the explanations in the thread, however, still confused between (B) and (C)

GMATNinja, for larger community interest, this question definitely requires your response.

gmatt1476
The contingency-fee system, which allows lawyers and their clients to agree that the lawyer will be paid only in the event of success, does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors. As attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research, they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit. Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to


A. specify the criteria attorneys use to judge the merits of a medical malpractice case

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees

C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise

D. consider the effect of the contingency-fee system on the number of lawsuits sought for reasons other than medical malpractice

E. acknowledge the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance


CR15380.01
User avatar
GMATGuruNY
Joined: 04 Aug 2010
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 1,344
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 9
Schools:Dartmouth College
Expert
Expert reply
Posts: 1,344
Kudos: 3,796
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
gmatt1476
The contingency-fee system, which allows lawyers and their clients to agree that the lawyer will be paid only in the event of success, does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors. As attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research, they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit. Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to

A. specify the criteria attorneys use to judge the merits of a medical malpractice case

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees

C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise

D. consider the effect of the contingency-fee system on the number of lawsuits sought for reasons other than medical malpractice

E. acknowledge the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance

Premise:
Contingency-fee attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.
Conclusion:
The contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors.

The correct answer must weaken the conclusion.

B: In the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation.
Implication:
In the PRESENCE of a contingency-fee option, people with meritorious cases are much MORE likely to initiate litigation -- weakening the conclusion that the contingency-fee system does not increase the number of lawsuits.

User avatar
GMATNinja
User avatar
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
Joined: 13 Aug 2009
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 7,443
Own Kudos:
69,784
 [3]
Given Kudos: 2,060
Status: GMAT/GRE/LSAT tutors
Location: United States (CO)
GMAT 1: 780 Q51 V46
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Products:
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 800 Q51 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V170
GRE 2: Q170 V170
Posts: 7,443
Kudos: 69,784
 [3]
Kudos
Add Kudos
3
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
AyeeshaJ
Went through all the explanations in the thread, however, still confused between (B) and (C)

GMATNinja, for larger community interest, this question definitely requires your response.

gmatt1476
The contingency-fee system, which allows lawyers and their clients to agree that the lawyer will be paid only in the event of success, does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors. As attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research, they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit. Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

The argument above is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it fails to


A. specify the criteria attorneys use to judge the merits of a medical malpractice case

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees

C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise

D. consider the effect of the contingency-fee system on the number of lawsuits sought for reasons other than medical malpractice

E. acknowledge the rising cost of medical malpractice insurance


CR15380.01
In this passage, we're told that:

    "the contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors."

The evidence given for this is: since the attorneys must cover their own costs for time and research, they want to ensure the cases they take on have merit and are likely to win. This makes the attorneys turn away many people bringing them cases that are unlikely to be successful.

We're asked which of the answer choices includes a criticism that the argument is vulnerable to. (B) tells us:
Quote:
B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees
The passage tells us that attorneys reject cases that do not have merit under the contingency fee system. (B) tells us that if the contingency-fee system was not an option, even people with cases that did have merit would be less likely to litigate because they might incur large legal bills.

This means some cases that would not have been taken to litigation without the contingency-fee option are accepted by attorneys because of the option to take the case using a contingency-fee basis. From this, we can conclude the contingency-fee system does increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors, when compared to the number of cases that would have been brought without the system.

(B) looks good so far -- let's take a look at (C):
Quote:
C. note whether, in successful medical malpractice lawsuits, the average monetary award after legal costs have been deducted is less under contingency-fee arrangements than otherwise
(C) tells us that in a successful case the "average monetary award...is less under contingency-fee arrangments than otherwise".

However, remember the argument in the passage is about the number of lawsuits brought against doctors. We are not concerned with the size of the monetary award provided in an average lawsuit, since we cannot say how the size of the monetary award affects the number of lawsuits.

Further, (C) only provides information about the cases that have been successful. It doesn't provide any information about the overall number of lawsuits being brought against doctors under contingency-fee arrangements or otherwise.

(B) provides a much clearer and stronger criticism of the argument than (C) -- that is why (B) is the answer to this question.

I hope that helps!
avatar
DrWho
Joined: 25 Jun 2020
Last visit: 26 Dec 2021
Posts: 14
Given Kudos: 62
Posts: 14
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATNinja CJAnish VeritasKarishma

Why is "Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case" not the conclusion (instead of "The contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice")?

If we consider the conclusion to be "attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case", the correct answer seems to be C.

Thoughts?
User avatar
KarishmaB
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 16,267
Own Kudos:
76,994
 [3]
Given Kudos: 482
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,267
Kudos: 76,994
 [3]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
DrWho
GMATNinja CJAnish VeritasKarishma

Why is "Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case" not the conclusion (instead of "The contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice")?

If we consider the conclusion to be "attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case", the correct answer seems to be C.

Thoughts?


Conclusion is the reason the author writes the argument. That is the one thing he is trying to tell us. Here the point the author is making is that contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors.
Rest of the sentences are given to support this. How?

Attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research,
so they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit.
So, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

This is the reason he says that the number of lawsuits does not increase.
avatar
DrWho
Joined: 25 Jun 2020
Last visit: 26 Dec 2021
Posts: 14
Given Kudos: 62
Posts: 14
Kudos: 0
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
VeritasKarishma

Can't it be interpreted as following?

1. Authors makes a claim, "The contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors."
2. Author then writes a universal truth or assumption/educated guess states "attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research"
3. Based on #2, s/he states "Lawyers want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit."
4. Based on #1 and #3, s/he concludes "attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case."

Could you please explain the reason why above interpretation is incorrect? Or why is the other interpretation better than this one?

VeritasKarishma
DrWho

@GMATNinja @CJAnish VeritasKarishma

Why is "Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case" not the conclusion (instead of "The contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice")?

If we consider the conclusion to be "attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case", the correct answer seems to be C.

Thoughts?


Conclusion is the reason the author writes the argument. That is the one thing he is trying to tell us. Here the point the author is making is that contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors.
Rest of the sentences are given to support this. How?

Attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research,
so they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit.
So, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

This is the reason he says that the number of lawsuits does not increase.
User avatar
KarishmaB
Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Last visit: 19 Nov 2025
Posts: 16,267
Own Kudos:
76,994
 [1]
Given Kudos: 482
Location: Pune, India
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 16,267
Kudos: 76,994
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
DrWho
VeritasKarishma

Can't it be interpreted as following?

1. Authors makes a claim, "The contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors."
2. Author then writes a universal truth or assumption/educated guess states "attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research"
3. Based on #2, s/he states "Lawyers want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit."
4. Based on #1 and #3, s/he concludes "attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case."

Could you please explain the reason why above interpretation is incorrect? Or why is the other interpretation better than this one?

VeritasKarishma
DrWho

@GMATNinja @CJAnish VeritasKarishma

Why is "Consequently, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case" not the conclusion (instead of "The contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice")?

If we consider the conclusion to be "attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case", the correct answer seems to be C.

Thoughts?


Conclusion is the reason the author writes the argument. That is the one thing he is trying to tell us. Here the point the author is making is that contingency-fee system does not increase the number of medical malpractice lawsuits brought against doctors.
Rest of the sentences are given to support this. How?

Attorneys must cover the costs for their time and research,
so they want to be assured that any medical malpractice case they accept on a contingency-fee basis has substantial merit.
So, attorneys turn away many people who come to see them, for lack of a good case.

This is the reason he says that the number of lawsuits does not increase.

The first sentence you gave is a claim made by the author based on the facts he presents subsequently. A claim made by the author is the conclusion.

Your point 4 (attorneys will turn away many people) can at best be called an intermediate conclusion based on what is given above: "attorneys want to cover costs so they will keep meritorious cases only"
User avatar
Argp
Joined: 10 Aug 2019
Last visit: 30 May 2022
Posts: 44
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 151
Location: India
Posts: 44
Kudos: 10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATNinja AjiteshArun VeritasKarishma nightblade354 CJAnish EducationAisle

Conclusion – contingency fee system is not increasing the number of malpractice suits against the doctors

By weakening the conclusion we want to show that the number of malpractice suits is increasing

While I understand that B is the only relevant answer after PoE, I am still unclear on the logic of the conclusion vs. Option B.
For example, before the contingency-fee system, the number of malpractice cases were 10.
Now, as the number of cases did not increase even with the contingency-fee system, the number of malpractice cases is 10. Then, how is B weakening the conclusion? How does the likelihood to litigate without the contingency fee system help us decide whether the number of malpractices cases will decrease?
User avatar
mSKR
Joined: 14 Aug 2019
Last visit: 10 Mar 2024
Posts: 1,290
Own Kudos:
938
 [2]
Given Kudos: 381
Location: Hong Kong
Concentration: Strategy, Marketing
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29
GPA: 3.81
GMAT 1: 650 Q49 V29
Posts: 1,290
Kudos: 938
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Argp
GMATNinja AjiteshArun VeritasKarishma nightblade354 CJAnish EducationAisle

Conclusion – contingency fee system is not increasing the number of malpractice suits against the doctors

By weakening the conclusion we want to show that the number of malpractice suits is increasing

While I understand that B is the only relevant answer after PoE, I am still unclear on the logic of the conclusion vs. Option B.
For example, before the contingency-fee system, the number of malpractice cases were 10.
Now, as the number of cases did not increase even with the contingency-fee system, the number of malpractice cases is 10. Then, how is B weakening the conclusion? How does the likelihood to litigate without the contingency fee system help us decide whether the number of malpractices cases will decrease?

Answer lies in exact understanding of B

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees

It means:
Situation when no contingency-fee option : many people didn't initiate litigation . Why ? because costs were higher
What about now?
Now they don't need to bear as given in argument. lawyers would handle it by themselves if the case has merit .

What does it mean?
Before many people didnt go to lawyers
Now, number of people can increase as now they don't need to incur heavy legal costs if their case has merit

in conclusion, Before 10 cases, and some were not considered ( say 5 due to heavy costs). Now 10+5 = 15 case may come up with new contingency system.

Is it clear?
User avatar
Argp
Joined: 10 Aug 2019
Last visit: 30 May 2022
Posts: 44
Own Kudos:
10
 [1]
Given Kudos: 151
Location: India
Posts: 44
Kudos: 10
 [1]
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
mSKR
Argp
GMATNinja AjiteshArun VeritasKarishma nightblade354 CJAnish EducationAisle

Conclusion – contingency fee system is not increasing the number of malpractice suits against the doctors

By weakening the conclusion we want to show that the number of malpractice suits is increasing

While I understand that B is the only relevant answer after PoE, I am still unclear on the logic of the conclusion vs. Option B.
For example, before the contingency-fee system, the number of malpractice cases were 10.
Now, as the number of cases did not increase even with the contingency-fee system, the number of malpractice cases is 10. Then, how is B weakening the conclusion? How does the likelihood to litigate without the contingency fee system help us decide whether the number of malpractices cases will decrease?

Answer lies in exact understanding of B

B. consider whether, in the absence of a contingency-fee option, even people with meritorious cases are much less likely to initiate litigation if they believe they might incur large legal fees

It means:
Situation when no contingency-fee option : many people didn't initiate litigation . Why ? because costs were higher
What about now?
Now they don't need to bear as given in argument. lawyers would handle it by themselves if the case has merit .

What does it mean?
Before many people didnt go to lawyers
Now, number of people can increase as now they don't need to incur heavy legal costs if their case has merit

in conclusion, Before 10 cases, and some were not considered ( say 5 due to heavy costs). Now 10+5 = 15 case may come up with new contingency system.

Is it clear?


hello mSKR

I think I get it now. The argument is based on the assumption that all good cases were in fact litigated/taken to court. The key is to differentiate the number of good malpractice cases Vs. the number of good malpractice cases that were litigated. Lawyers filter good cases from bad, so the conclusion jumps to state that the number of cases that were litigated haven't increased - they are the same number. However, in truth, the argument fails to mention whether the assumption was considered, and hence a weakener.

So, the weakener is an unconsidered assumption.

This was a tough one. Please correct me if I am wrong :)
User avatar
AjiteshArun
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 15 Jul 2015
Last visit: 18 Nov 2025
Posts: 5,949
Own Kudos:
5,080
 [2]
Given Kudos: 732
Location: India
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V169
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT Focus 1: 715 Q83 V90 DI83
GMAT 1: 780 Q50 V51
GRE 1: Q170 V169
Posts: 5,949
Kudos: 5,080
 [2]
2
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Argp
I think I get it now. The argument is based on the assumption that all good cases were in fact litigated/taken to court.
Hi Argp,

That is correct: option B gives us a reason to think that in the absence of a contingency-fee option the number of cases is likely to be lower than what we would have expected it to be if there were no concerns about large legal fees.
User avatar
custodio
Joined: 25 Jun 2018
Last visit: 03 Feb 2023
Posts: 39
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 46
Posts: 39
Kudos: 10
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
GMATNinja KarishmaB
GMATIntensive

(B) and (C) are "whether" sentences, so I think we should think both ways (yes or no).
contingency-fee option: CFO

(B)
-> if yes, people will not initiate a lawsuit when non-CFO (so, CFO will increase the lawsuits) -- WEAKEN
-> if no, people will initiate a lawsuit when non-CFO (so, CFO will not increase the lawsuits) -- STRENGTHEN

(C)
-> if yes, lawyers will take more lawsuits (because CFO makes them earn more) -- WEAKEN
-> if no, lawyers will not take more lawsuits (because CFO makes them earn less) -- STRENGTHEN

Any thoughts?
 1   2   
Moderators:
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
7443 posts
GMAT Club Verbal Expert
231 posts
189 posts