Re: New Lawsuit Prevention Technique: APOLOGIZE!

From: DoctorJoe@aol.com
Tue May 18 11:15:06 2004


In a message dated 5/18/04 11:00:39, evsono@pipeline.com writes:

> "I found out he was a real person," Ms.  Kenney says.  "He made an
> effort to seek me out and say he was sorry I suffered." Moved by the
> doctor's contrition, Ms.  Kenney dropped her plans to sue.
>
> Insurers and hospital lawyers have long discouraged doctors from
> apologizing to harmed patients for fear that such apologies might fuel
> lawsuits.  The rule has always been "not to talk about the events to
> anybody," says Dr.  van Pelt.  "Even a passing comment can be
> subpoenaed."
>

Exactly! And what would you "lose" by offering to foot the bill (actually, just excuse it) for the complication treatment, rather than pay through the nose after a jury finds for the plaintiff? Everyone is so afraid of losing, they're missing the point. Having an insurer (or even the hospital or doctor) pay a few grand for medication or surgery, and avoiding a $3M award by a jury, sounds much better to me. If only: 1) the doctor would admit he did something wrong (if he did, actually) 2) the lawyer would actually act in the best interest of the client (and not his pocketbook) 3) the insurance company would actually insure something, and not just protect its own dividends.

Joe P.





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