Law suits are miserable hell. I was involved in a case from residency that had nothing to do with my care. But they wanted to tag the PCP, and this particular patient was tagged to my name so I was picked as the defendant along with the hospital. NONE of my attendings and NONE of the half-dozen other residents working on this case were defendants. It dragged on FIVE YEARS.
In Maine, while we have a screening panel their findings are irrelevant. They said I had no legal responsibility in the matter and there was no evidence of malpractice on my part. However the plaintiff pressed forward to a jury trial, which is allowed in Maine even if the screening panel finds no reasonable fault of the physician. FOUR DAYS in court I had to listen to the lies of this patient's family and the bullshit made up interpretations of "expert" physicians who were only there b/c the plaintiff's lawyer paid them to be there. What whores they were. FOUR DAYS I could not see patients during business hours and FOUR DAYS I had to see patients at night from 6pm to 10pm to keep money coming in the office.
Then the jury returned a verdict in about 90 minutes. I was found NOT negligent and the case was dismissed. Did I have any recourse? Could I sue the family for all the bullshit they put me through? NO. I had to simply take it b/c I'm the professional. I'm the good doctor. Those scum bag lawyers working for the plaintiff never had a case. But 30% of all malpractice cases end up with a settlement award for the plaintiff! THIRTY PERCENT. That's way better odds than playing the lottery.
sorry I had to vent, but I really DO NOT LIKE LAWYERS. If there are any here reading this post, I don't mind if you take offense. They need regulation, and they presently have little to none. Why? b/c congress is made up of lawyers and they protect their own kind.
Wow I really hijacked your thread....
