Often, people visit the hospital or physician’s office when they need immediate medical attention. This means that most do not take time to find out if the physician has a medical malpractice record. However, choosing a doctor should not be a decision that should be taken lightly. According to the Centers for Disease Control, medical malpractice is the third leading cause of death. While most physicians will not tell you if they have a malpractice record, there are certain ways you can find out. \
The State Medical Board
All physicians must have a license to operate. This is issued by the licensing board in the state in which they are practicing medicine. It is the same board that handles disciplinary matters and complaints. The state medical board also issues suspensions to doctors who have been involved in misconduct or malpractice. The board can also issue permanent revocations. It is possible to search directly from the state licensing board’s website.
Department of Health Services
The state’s department of health services should have information about hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes in that state. If you are unsure about a particular hospital, you can contact the department to discover if there any complaints made against them. The department should have records of formal complaints and investigations made against medical facilities in the state. For instance, the state can likely give you information about any unsafe conditions that have been reported about a particular hospital. These are pertinent issues to consider especially if you are looking for an assisted living facility for a loved one or yourself.
Court Records
Courts records will have information about lawsuits filed against a physician. Today, you can find most of this information online. Different courts will provide different types of information online. It is important to conduct a preliminary search to ascertain what you can find out about a potential physician. At the bare minimum, you can be in a position to view how recent the cases occurred. It is also possible to see the number of lawsuits that have been filed against a physician. If this information is not available online, you can visit the courthouse and request for the details on the lawsuits. The court may give you a copy of these records for a fee.
Not All Physicians Are Equal
According to a report issued by the American Medical Association, surgeons, gynecologists, and obstetricians are five more times likely to be sued when compared to other medical practitioners. This means that you need to be more cautious when searching for these medical experts. Go the extra mile to find out the nature of the lawsuits and how that can impact your medical relationship with them.
While many physicians have been involved or named in a medical malpractice case, not every lawsuit or claim is legitimate. We live in a highly litigious society, and doctors can be sued for frivolous issues. It is not enough to find out if your physician has a medical malpractice; it is prudent to find out the nature and circumstances surrounding the case. There are many cases where doctors have been sued for reasons that are not valid or do not hold water. You need to find out whether these claims were dismissed or upheld and ruled on by a court.
The Need for a Medical Malpractice Attorney
Many people have suffered under the care of doctors who were supposed to exercise professionalism and a duty of care. If you or a loved one suffered medical malpractice, it is best to consult with an attorney, like a medical malpractice lawyer trusts. Our lawyers may be in a position to help you get fair compensation based on the merits of your case.
