A Doctor’s Fight: Defending Yourself Against Malpractice Claims
A lawsuit can happen to anyone, including physicians. An accusation of committing medical malpractice could be one of the most traumatic experiences you will face as a doctor or any other medical practitioner. It occurs only when the result of the negligence is harmful to the patient. In an instant, this can wipe out years of service. What’s worse is that it may seriously harm your professional and personal life.
Here are some ways to defend against such a disaster:
Have your own insurance
Everyone makes mistakes. This is why having medical malpractice insurance is important. Even the best need protection from situations beyond their control. Malpractice insurance isn’t just a major expense for health care professionals; it’s a requirement. As a physician, you should consider who will be there to take care of you in your time of need.
Cooperate with your lawyer
When legal claims arise, contact your lawyer immediately. If you believe you need to reveal details of the case for legitimate reasons, consult your lawyer first. There’s no exception to this. Trust your lawyer just as patients must trust their doctors to treat disease.
Control your emotions
Stay calm and continue to practice medicine as usual. Deal with the lawsuit appropriately to minimize its negative effect on your reputation and your wallet. Don’t panic because you might do self-destructive things.
These tips can be your best defense if you’re facing a lawsuit. Protecting yourself against malpractice charges is like fighting an infection. You need to do all you can to keep it from happening.
Resources:
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/medical-malpractice-basics-29855.html
http://www.graceybacker.com/physicians-surgeons/medical-malpractice/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1291321/
