Page 9 - Anatomy of a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

SVMIC Anatomy of a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

volume is down, but severity is up. For this reason (and others),

malpractice cases truly can be marathons.

Regardless of whether a claimant is successful or not, a
professional negligence claim can affect a physician

professionally, emotionally, and financially. It takes its toll on
the physician’s relationships, especially with those who are

closest such as family and colleagues. It also affects the

physician’s interaction with other patients and how he or she
practices medicine going forward. Feelings of distrust, anger,

betrayal, anxiety, embarrassment, and self-doubt are common.

There is no way to completely avoid the pain associated with a
malpractice claim or lawsuit. But, through education and

preparation, the impact can be decreased.

At SVMIC, with 46 years of experience successfully defending
thousands of physicians in over 150,000 malpractice claims

and lawsuits, we have discovered that most physicians do not
have an understanding of the procedural aspects of a

malpractice lawsuit and that a great deal of anxiety can be
alleviated through education on this topic. The purpose of this

course is to provide a general understanding of the process,

including: the elements of a malpractice lawsuit, the various
phases of a malpractice trial, and the potential mental,

emotional, and physical responses a claim or lawsuit can elicit

with the goal of helping the reader to be prepared and better
able to cope when the situation occurs.

Please Note: This course will provide a general overview of the

major phases of the litigation process; however, each state and
jurisdiction have their own laws, procedural rules, and

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