There are many reasons why patients file medical malpractice claims against their physicians. Perhaps the patient was offended by something you said or did. Or perhaps the patient may be looking for an apology, or for vindication that he or she was right and you were wrong on a given issue.
Here are some indications that a claim may be brewing:
- The patient does not pay the bill.
- A longtime patient abruptly stops coming to your office following an incident and requests a copy of his or her medical records.
- The patient advises you that he or she is dissatisfied or had an undesirable result from some medical treatment.
- You receive a subpoena or informal request from an attorney to copy the patient’s medical records.
- An investigator or patient’s attorney contacts you regarding your medical treatment of the patient.
The following indications are more direct:
- The patient has an on-premises incident (slip-and-fall accident, assault, etc.).
- Equipment failure causes injury to the patient.
- The patient’s health plan advises you it has received a grievance against you.
- The state licensing board notifies you that the patient has filed a complaint, or that it is conducting its own investigation regarding your conduct.
For further information on claims management, please review the following topics:
