Lawsuits more easily defensible on other jurisdictions is cited as one reason:

Woodlawn-based Advanced Radiology will stop providing services to St. Agnes Hospital in southwest Baltimore and American Radiology Services, based in Pikesville, will terminate services to Good Samaritan Hospital in northeast Baltimore.

St. Agnes is the only city hospital served by Advanced, which also contracts with Franklin Square Hospital, Greater Baltimore Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center in the county.

In 2005, the practice’s malpractice premiums were five times what they were in 2000, said Dr. Robert Stroud, president of Advanced Radiology and a practicing radiologist.

“Baltimore City juries tend to be more sympathetic to the plaintiffs,” he said. “Lawsuits are more easily defensible in other jurisdictions.”