Law firms are being hit with significantly more malpractice claims in 2011 than they were in 2010, according to a new survey of insurers that specialize in legal malpractice coverage. The sputtering economy and a sagging real estate market are the main culprits.

The survey — which covers the first six months of the year and was conducted by broker Ames & Gough — found that the volume of malpractice claims is up by between 11 and 20 percent at one insurance company so far this year.