Quote:
Originally posted by Zeke
Perhaps doctors should take a look at the contractor system. Just another clinic name each time out and a new director. Everyone else is a no name employee getting profit sharing.
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All malpractice suits and settlements are linked to the doctors medical license and published in a national database. No Three Card Monty for us.
I've never been sued or settled a case, but years ago a large, unclean, unwashed, uninsured and unemployed woman found her way to the emergency room in need of emergency surgery, which I performed (and was never paid for). The operation went well and she was discharged from the hospital 4 days later with no problems other than her continued poor hygiene.
She failed to show up for a post-operative visit. Months later I get a registered letter from her attorney advising me that 10 days after the operation she was admitted to a different hospital with a severe infection. In a follow up call, her lawyer told me, "My client seems determined to go to court, but I think I could convince her to settle for around $30,000. I reminded him that her surgery was uncomplicated, I had done nothing wrong and I wouldn't pay a dime. The attorney said, "Doc, blame is for a jury to decide. I'm just telling you that I will cost you a whole lot more than $30,000 in time and fees if you won't settle."
If we had been in the same room I'd have been arrested for assault. I told him I'd see him in court and I hung up. The bastard knew I had done nothing wrong, but the current system allows him to attempt extortion without penalty. I never heard from him again.