Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with malpractice

Rear ended by a drunk driver then effed in the rear by the medical system.

pmaxwell — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:09:51 -0800

Bone graft gone wrong. Testicle swollen, major pain, difficulty walking, Doctors not helping. Need advice. I am trying to get some information for a friend. Below is as much info as I have. Any help would be appreciated.
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Jan 2003
My friend Kin was stopped at a light in Philadelphia, PA when he was hit from behind. The drunk who hit him had 9 prior DUI’s. Not surprisingly, he carried no insurance, had no registration or license. He was driving with stolen plates.

Kin was treated by a Dr. K at a hospital and diagnosed with a sever neck issue (don’t know exact diagnosis). He was told surgery would not help his condition. He was in severe pain. The Dr recommend a Morphine pump to help manage the pain. Kin begged the dr to “go back in” and fix the issue. The Dr refused.

2004: Eventually, Dr. K referred Kin to Dr. F for a Discgram. Dr. F decided surgery would be beneficial and recommended replacing two vertebrates (C5, C6) with titanium.

While awaiting surgery, Kin worked with pain management specialists. They prescribed Oxycontin (20mg then increased to 60mg). Here is where Kin began his addiction to Oxicontin.

Aug 2005: Dr. B from a Philly hospital performed surgery. Disc was replaced with piece of titanium that was to fuse. After the procedure, Kin’s condition worsened. For the next 18 months Kin repeatedly told the Dr B he was not right – could feel pieces of titanium move. Pain increased significantly. Kin was now taking 6 or so Percocets daily to manage after weaning himself off Oxycontin.

September 2007: Kin was referred to Dr. G (orthepedic surgeon at HHS in New York). Dr. G immediately recommended surgery. He suggested removing the titanium vertebrates and replacing with bone (with from a bone graft from Kin’s hip) . Kin agreed.

After the procedure, The Dr. G said the screws securing the titanium vertebrates (from the original surgery) we so loose, he was able to take them out by hand. Thats what was causing Kins pain – loose screws! Dr. said his neck should heal well and he should experience a vast reduction in pain.

Over the coming months, Kins neck felt 90% better. Occasional flare ups but nothing compared to what it was. Kin was ecstatic, he was fixed. – so he thought.

Prior to the neck surgery, they removed a piece of bone from his hip to use as the material to replace titanium vertebrates. Kins hip was not healing. He was back in severe pain. The Dr said it would take time to heal. Kin waited. He was now back up to 6-8 Percocets daily.

By Feb 2008 pain was so severe, Kin had trouble walking and was taking copious amounts of Percocet to function. His testicles swelled. He reported everything to Dr. G. Numerous tests were done: MRIs, bone scans, cat scans, and xrays. No Diagnosis or prognosis was given.

Kin moved to CA – he needed better weather. Every cloudy day in Philly amped up the pain in his hip (his neck was now a non-issue).
Even though he alerted his insurance company he was going to move, they waited until he was moved in to tell him they would not cover him in CA. Disability insurance dropped him as well b/c they secretly video taped him directing the moving truck into his driveway.

Kin repeatedly contacted Dr. G to tell him about the incredible pain in his hip. He was getting very limited attention. He was falling thru the cracks. They finally referred him to a Dr in CA (a 5 hour drive – and he needed to go back twice). The Dr saw Kin, took various MRI’s CAT’s and other tests and then NEVER SPOKE TO Kin AGAIN!. The Drs Assistant simply told Kin they could not help him.

June 2009: Eventually, HHS agreed to see Kin again, Kin flew to NY for 8 days of pre-arranged tests and procedures. Once there, they totally changed the itinerary they had agreed to. They sent Kin for a RFD(S) treatment. A Dr W did this non-surgical procedure. After, Kins pain amped up 20 fold. Again, they said to give it time. That was over a 4 months ago. The pain has not subsided. He is up to 12-15 Percocets a day. He has gone to the local emergency room in CA for help. They were astonished at the films of his hip– a large arrowhead shaped growth with spurs on the bone. It seems like the bone and nerve grew back in such a way as to cause the pain. They said they had no one at their hospital who can help him.

These days he has limited contact with HSS, they rarely return his calls/emails. In the last call, they advised him to go off Perocet and to try Subutex, which he is trying. And they also advise him to get a dorsal column stimulator (installed in his body) to help mitigate the pain, he will not. There is no longer any discussion on how to heal Kin, only how to manage the pain. When Kin asked if there was a way to kill the nerve, they said that’s what they tried with the RFD(S) procedure and it did not work.

Kin has ballooned up to about 250 pounds. His blood pressure is way high. Although I have been very concerned and distantly involved over the 4 years this has been going on, I am now more concerned than ever, As the hope of getting fixed gets more and more remote, Kin is spiraling into a very dark place.

So I am looking for any recommendations, referrals, advice on what Kin can do.
> Has anyone experienced this kind of bone/nerve issue?
> are the any Dr’s or programs that are specialists in this field (west coast)?
> Does anybody know of a service that can function as a health advocate?
> What about this dorsal column stimulator? What are the real percentage of people who have significant pain reduction?
> malpractice suit? know any lawyers in NY?

Source for Medical Malpractice Insurance Quotes for Doctors/Hospitals?

Quarter Pincher — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:28:59 -0800

Do you know of any reasonably credible sources that list the premiums and deductibles that hospitals/doctors (of any kind, but largely medical surgeons for intensive-care/emergency/surgical hospitals) pay for medical malpractice insurance? I'm researching figures for a malpractice reform idea. The idea is based on a rumor that medical malpractice insurance is an absurdly burdensome expense for hospitals/doctors who must pay it in order to legitimately practice. If there were a way to eliminate that particular burden, the massive periodic (monthly/etc) savings would gradually equal lesser medical expenses for Billy and Susie down the line.

My idea was to eliminate the need for malpractice insurance by enacting legislation requiring the hospital in question to add the malpracticed-against as simply a new employee, paid out of the standard payroll expenses, at a comfort-offering rate (variable according to terms of the suit and local standards of living) instead of having to lop over this giant sum (and pay insurance for the dark cloud of a giant sum to loom over them, waiting to be dished out). Does this idea hold much water?

How do I report a doctor for bad care?

hal_c_on — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:27:39 -0800

I just had a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE experience with a doctor. This is the reason most people do NOT go to doctors. It kinda makes me not want to go to a doctor. Let me give you the whole story so you can assess the situation, get really mad, and provide me with constructive advice. If you don't feel like reading it all, scroll to the bottom and tell me what I should do if I am unsatisfied with the quality of care from a doctor. So within the last 6 months, I noticed a LOT of symptoms, including a DRAMATIC weight gain over 60 days ( I'm 30 years old, and started off weighing 140-145 lbs..it has NEVER gone over 150 lbs, but suddenly I gained about 30-35 lbs for a total of 175+).

Without going into too many details about the symptoms, so that everyone on the 'net knows what I have. I looked into it (webmd, mayo clinic, wikipedia), and said "wow...these are the same symptoms another member of my family had before being diagnosed with condition X". Maybe I have it too. I looked into patterns of inheritance...yes, it is possible.

So I found an Internal Medicine doctor through my insurance (BCBS-PPO), called them up, and scheduled an appointment. At the office, the medical assistants/nurses checked my weight and blood pressure, and told me to wait in the room.

I'll be honest, I didn't know what the hell to do in the room. The last time I went for a physical was 10 years ago. As I waited there for 15-20 minutes, I wondered if I should take my clothes off, or not...or what? Maybe the nurse/assistant forgot to tell me where those robes that don't cover your butt are stored, etc. In the end, I decided to keep my clothes on because the other option would have been a LOT more embarrassing if I was mistaken. When it doubt, don't let it hang out.

So the doctor came in, didn't introduce herself, and went to work. She listened to my heart and lungs, made me follow her finger with my eyes, and did some simple reflex tests. I started to talk to her at this point, told her about my DRAMATIC weight gain (w/o any change of diet/lifestyle), and she just IGNORED all my symptoms. She asked about my exercise habits, and I told her they haven't changed in 10 years. "Maybe you need to exercise more". The visit with the doctor took less than 5 minutes.

"Maybe, but theres no way that would explain 30+ lbs in 60 days", I said.

"You're probably not exercising correctly". She said.

"Possibly, but that still cannot account for the weight gain in such a short period. It could also be condition X that another member of my family has".

"No, men don't get that", she said.

"Actually, its rare, but men DO get it", I came back with.

"Yes, I know, I'm the doctor". Ummm ok...what the heck do I say to her?

"So can you give me some blood tests, because I still think something is off".

"Ok, but you really need to exercise differently", she said. "You're getting older".

So I left the office, feeling like I'm dumb, fat, and old (I'm 30...I don't look old. I get ID'd all over the place). I went over to the lab and gave them my blood.

I joined a gym, and started working out hardcore. 2 hours each day, with 30-45 min of cardio EVERYDAY. During those cardio sessions my HR averages 145, and it maxes out at 171. I really am working out. After 2 weeks...no change in weight. Highly unusual. Whenever I want to lose 5-10 lbs, I go to the gym, hit a treadmill regularly for 2-3 weeks, and I shed weight like crazy. This time, its not working.

I also kept tabs on what I ate. I eat about 1800 calories a day, spaced out in about 5 meals. Thats how I've been eating. I also have a fairly healthy diet (vegetarian except for fish and eggs, no fast food).

The next week, I called the doctor's office and asked them about the blood tests. They told me that they can't release it over the phone, but if a doc didn't call me, its "probably fine". Umm, ok. So I came in that same day to get a copy of my blood test, and doctor's report. The report had NOTHING about what I talked about except that I was overweight (Alright, I'm a fatty...sigh). Everything on the blood test looks good (within range)...except for ONE test. I looked that up, and BAM...there it is. It confirmed my suspicion of condition X.

Still no call from the doctor, though.

I went in for a second opinion to another doctor. As soon as he came in, I said "I'm here for a second opinion. I believe I have condition X, "

"What makes you say that", said the new doctor.

"Well I have symptoms, symptoms, symptoms, and 30+ lbs weight gain over 60 days".

"Wow...thats over 20% of your weight in less than 2 months...bodybuilders would want to do that, except it looks like it wasn't muscle (thanks again, I'm such a fatty). Well the first thing we would need to do is some blood tests" said the doc.

"I have some from 3 weeks ago right here".

Within 30 seconds of looking through it, he goes 'WHOA, this is 4 times higher than average...you actually DO have condition x. Why did you not tell your doctor about these symptoms?"

"I did...she neglected to give them any weight, and even didn't write them down on the report. She just told me I needed to exercise'

"What did you say when she called you with the test results?", asked the doctor.

"Umm, she never called me...I had to go get them myself."

"Wow", said the doctor.

He took another blood sample, and prescribed me some meds...and told me I will need to come in monthly to see if I'm getting the right dosage, and vary if I'm not. He also said I will probably be on these meds for the rest of my life. Great. The good news is, that this should correct the symptoms I have been having, and I should see my weight back to normal by summertime.

In any case, had I NOT taken the initiative to get the blood test results from the first doc, and taken them to another doc for the second opinion, I wouldn't have found this out until something REALLY bad happened and a competent doctor would have done the test AND FOLLOWED up, or for another 10 years when decide to go to another doctor.

So now, I'm going to write professional, yet critical letter to the doctor, CCing her medical group, and the insurance company. Is this what I'm supposed to do? Is anything going to happen?

WHAT CAN I DO? I'm not suing for money, I just want to do something so this doesn't happen again with this doctor. It was this doctor's bedside manner, and attitude that made me think "Wow...I totally remember why I don't to the doctor every year". I also totally understand why some people say "I don't go to the doctor...I hate doctors". What I used to think was an ignorant attitude towards medicine, now seems legitimate if all the doctors were like my first doc.

If I was treated that way, I'm sure others are treated that way; thats just neglect. I checked the insurance to see the doc's bill. The insurance paid $155(for the doc, not the blood tests), I also paid $20 copay for a total of $175. $175 for a 3 minute visit, and a diagnosis of "FATTY!"

What can I do, who can I report this to? Is writing a letter to the doctor too small, is writing a letter to the AMA too big? Would sending it to the insurance company do anything? Where in Blue Cross/Blue Shield do I send it to? HELP!

Financial assistance for sudden health problems

MarkLark — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:13:10 -0800

Please help a friend's family with sudden health care issues Hi all, posting this on behalf of my friend, whose family is going through some tough times at the moment. This is uncharted territory for all parties involved, so I hope to tap the wisdom of the hive mind...

The short question is: Do you know of any medical or financial services that offer assistance to cancer patients without insurance? Also, possible question of malpractice in the extended details below... Family is in Florida.

First, a few facts. Family has no health insurance. Mom is the wage earner in the household. Dad is a veteran, is disabled, but not disabled as a result of military service. He does receive some disability income.

Some months ago, mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.. recently it had progressed to stage 2. Despite their low income and the high cost of treatment, they were able to arrange a payment plan with the doctor/hospital. At this point it is putting a severe financial strain on the family and family members who are helping out, but everything seems ok at this point as she's able to receive the treatment she needs.

This past Friday she went to the doctor to prepare for the chemotherapy treatment to begin in a week's time. Underwent surgery to remove a few nodes on one side, a chemo port was installed on the other side. Later that day, she began complaining of severe migraines, became very dizzy and bedridden. At this point the family became concerned and she was brought to the hospital. She was admitted to the hospital for observation in the early morning hours on Saturday, at which point she lost consciousness. From Saturday through Sunday she received no direct attention from a doctor, family was given very little information as to why mom was not waking up, and was continuously told a 'doctor was on the way' but none ever arrived. So beyond the initial ER doctor who had her admitted for observation, and despite her basically slipping into a coma/losing consciousness, she was never examined. Finally late Sunday/early Monday it was determined she'd need to see a neurologist, and was then moved to another larger hospital in the area.

Upon being given a CT scan by a neurologist at the new hospital, it was determined that she had pressure on the brain, which caused the symptoms that led up to her current condition. They drilled holes to relieve the pressure, but blood came out (if I'm not mistaken, the brain is surrounded by spinal fluid, not blood, so for blood to come out is a bad thing). They then determined that she had a lump of cancerous tissue at the back of her brain, so full-on brain surgery took place to remove some (but not all) of it (not yet sure why only 'some' was removed). This is quite recent (yesterday afternoon) so beyond that I have very little information, other than that the doctors say the procedure went well. They also mentioned that had she not made it to hospital #2 when she did, she would have died that night.

So, all of this is quite a shock to family and friends - not only are they worried about their mom, but how they can possibly afford to pay for this .. so I ask: Do you know of any programs designed to help people in situations like this? I don't know if there's anything that specifically helps cancer victims, or perhaps spouses/family of veterans, something along those lines.

And a secondary question as to whether you think there was questionable treatment at the first hospital... you would think that someone who suddenly loses consciousness for unknown reasons wouldn't have to wait 2 days to be examined by a doctor. I don't know if this approaches the domain of malpractice or if it just the sad state of our health care system. (We're not in a major metro area so this wouldn't be an issue of an overtaxed hospital staff, either.) If anything I question the lack of attention from the hospital may be tied to their lack of insurance. I highly doubt the family would look to sue - it's certainly not on their mind at the moment. But if this would be considered gross negligence I would like them to know this.

Thanks very much for any suggestions you may have... if it would help to have more information, I'll follow up with my friend and post his response..

Talking to a malpractice lawyer

rryan — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:49:03 -0800

Meeting a lawyer to discuss a possible malpractice lawsuit- what questions should I ask? I'm meeting a lawyer to determine if a malpractice lawsuit is worth perusing. As the patient and possible client of the lawyers, are there any common sense, general questions I should ask to protect myself?

Specifically I'm worried about time line considerations (if I go to another doctor and loose the case- who pays?), what to get in writing (everything?), or anything else from anyone who has already gone through a similar experience.

Doctor screwed up, now what?

rryan — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:17:29 -0800

Mom had double knee replacement. Doctor admitted doing one wrong. Her leg is now crooked. Options? My Mom just got a double knee replacement this summer. She still works (teacher). She was off her legs for about 3 months.

One of her legs juts out at an angle (it is noticeable). She just saw a doctor and he admitted he cut it wrong. He's directed her to get another opinion. She's not in great pain, but does have some discomfort.

Obviously she needs to get it fixed. The fix could entail another operation and extensive rehab- maybe missed work.

My question is what are the legal options and what is the time line? Although the doctor admitted to her he screwed up, I assume that ultimately the insurance company determines if it needs to get fixed and who pays.

Do we get a second opinion, then approach a lawyer. Do we get a couple of opinions? Or is it better to forgo the lawyer and see what the insurance company says?

The doctor was strait up with her, but I fear she's going to have to deal with mounds of insurance bureaucracy and that a malpractice lawyer would at least give her some kind of advocacy.

What shall I do to bring my dentist to a small court for his negligence, and for how much?

dy — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:19:05 -0800

What shall I do to bring my dentist to a small court for his negligence, and for how much? I got a chemical burn to my face, about the size of a quarter, due to the negligence of my dentist. To make the long story short, it started two days ago when I went to have some filling work done for my teeth. The dentist accidentally mixed the water with the filling composite and smeared it onto my face. This triggered a rapid reaction with my skin. I was told at the time that I was probably allergic to the metal used for the high pressure tool piece. I did not buy his explanation and went to see my own doctor immediately. The next day I found out from the dentist that it was possibly an etch or acid burn by the composite. Today my own doctor confirmed me that it was indeed a chemical burn.

The burnt area is now dried up and is turning into a big dark scab. The burning sensation is going away, but the discomfort, as my doctor told me, will last for at least two weeks, not to mention that I have to show up like that at work everyday. According to my doctor, it’s unlikely to have scars afterwards in this case, but I’m still traumatized and scared to death with what if’s.

I’m furious that the dentist failed sending me to a medical clinic for immediate treatment upon my request. The funny part (not so funny) is that he treated me with Vaseline and recommended me to take Tylenol to ease the pain when this happened. I have been taking pictures of the burnt area everyday. I save all the notes from my doctor, visit receipts, and prescription. I want to see him at a small court, and want him to be responsible for his malpractice and negligence, and to cover all my medial expenses plus discomfort as the result. Shall I get a lawyer to represent me at this time or shall I settle this with the dentist by my own efforts first? If latter, what should I do first, and how much is reasonable to compensate my suffering, yet big enough for him to learn this lesson? Your inputs are greatly appreciated.

Best Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Princeton, New Jersey?

LavishingUndertone — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 08:55:05 -0800

Best Medical Malpractice lawyer in Princeton, New Jersey? I'm trying to find the best Medical Malpractice Lawyer in New Jersey for a friend. I'm not quite sure how to go about finding someone reputable who knows exactly what they're doing. Cost is not an issue. I want to be sure my friend gets all the help and resources they need.

Did the dentist almost kill my grandma?

Scram — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 01:52:25 -0800

Dentist yanked grandma's ten remaining teeth; a few days later, massive heart attack. Connected? Inappropriate? Thank goodness, my 90-year-old grandmother survived the major heart attack she suffered last weekend, while recovering from having all her remaining teeth (which she said felt loose, and which she wanted to "deal with" while she still has all her marbles) pulled and dentures made. Needless to say, I was not consulted before she embarked on this cockamamie scheme.

Because she has been in the hospital, she was not able to wear the dentures, and now when she tries they are quite uncomfortable, and she's worried the $7500 cost has been wasted and she will not be able to wear them at all.

Me, I am concerned that a dentist did this kind of major oral surgery on an elderly patient with a history of heart attack and stroke, rather than trying to save her natural teeth. There are studies showing links between oral bacteria and heart attack, but she was not warned of any risk--in fact, she felt bad for some time before asking grandpa to take her to the hospital.

Mefites with medical/dental experience, does this sound like she received inappropriate treatment? Does she have any recourse (complaint, new or adjusted set of dentures)? Should the family be furious?

What to do when doctors go bad?

Listener — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 00:12:45 -0800

I suffer from a disability unrecognized in this jurisdiction, and in most places. I now find out that several doctors missed something important, I think, and I feel very let down and not sure what to do or who I could possibly trust to help me in an objective sense. I suffer from chemical sensitivity, aka multiple chemical sensitivity or MCS, an unrecognized disability in this province, IE doctors just dismiss it and are unhelpful. I went to a neurologist and an occupational health specialist as well as an allergist. All useless. I took care of myself by removing myself from the poisonous environment (and my lucrative job, since neither the school, the union nor the students seemed able to fully accommodate me.)

Today, I just stumbled upon this stroke prevention site while researching something for someone else, which lists severe symptoms that I reported occurring in response to chemical exposures (overwhelming perfumes in a room with poor ventilation), to all those doctors. These symptoms scared the hell out of me. I am not very medically knowledgeable, but I expected the damn doctors to be! I experienced one instance each of these: (1) Sudden confusion and the inability to understand what others are saying. (2) Sudden loss of ability to speak (form sentences). (3) Sudden (extreme) change in vision in one or both eyes with (4) Sudden, (extreme) unexplained dizziness. These were terrifying, though they lasted less than half an hour each.

I haven't had them since, but I feel scared to risk having them again. I was hoping to go back to university maybe and do some traveling, but those now seem potentially dangerous. I feel like a prisoner. I don't know where I could get any guidance on how to proceed. (PS a bad doctor killed my closest, dearest relative, so there is not much trust there either. Even less now, if that's possible.) One of my parents had bad strokes that resulted in similar but permanent language problems later in life. I'm scared.

Will suing a lousy doctor do any good?

ultraultraboomerang — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 09:35:48 -0800

Medical malpractice suits: What actually happens to an MD when they're sued? In terms of disciplinary actions against the MD, is there a difference between being found liable in civil court versus a settlement? A couple of years ago my 6-month old sister died after heart surgery (aortic stenosis). At birth the pediatric cardiologist discovered a murmur, but wasn't alarmed as those usually clear themselves up in the first few months of life.

What became clear only after she died, pretty unexpectedly, was that the initial tests done the day she was born showed a severe defect we weren't informed of. In fact, the technician conducting the EKG circled things and made notes, which the cardiologist ignored completely. She saw the same cardiologist at 3 months but again there was no concern. At 6 months she said the baby might need surgery soon. This is when my stepmom took her to a private children's hospital, where they said "this baby needs surgery IMMEDIATELY." She survived the surgery but coded overnight. The surgeons appear to have done everything right, as far as we can tell.

Needless to say, this has been a complete nightmare. I'm trying to help my stepmom with some decisions about how to proceed legally. She places a lot of stock in my opinion, for whatever reason, so I don't want to steer her in the wrong direction.

A medical review board found the cardiologist's care to be "substandard." Now the question is whether to proceed in court. We're not talking about a crooked car mechanic here. I figure when we're talking about this level of trust - putting an infant's life in an expert's hands - we have to do what we can to get it on record that this cardiologist ignored what a technician clearly saw, and while we'll never know if it would have saved her life, the point is we deserved that information.

Is there a benefit to taking this to court? Will just being sued affect anything like the doctor's malpractice insurance, license, etc? What about a liable verdict versus a settlement? Is it better to actually go to court, in terms of what the consequences are for the doctor? I'd really like to spare my stepmom the witness stand and cross examination about why she didn't take the baby to more cardiologists (there are 2 pediatric cardiologists within 50 miles, incidentally).

What, in short, is the deal with these kinds of things?

Sorry for all the context, I don't know enough to know what's important. Thanks for any help.

How should a therapist go about refusing to treat a patient?

chichimimizu — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 21:26:37 -0800

A friend of mine underwent counseling at a trauma center. After the first several sessions, today his therapist had a supervisor come in, sat him down, and after 45 minutes of excruciating back and forth, essentially told him that because of what he did for a living, he could no longer attend therapy there. At all. As in no other therapist at the center could see him and there was no one they could refer him to. As I said in my question, it took them 45 minutes to reach this point. Before getting there, they made him feel, "small, dirty, and absolutely unwanted." This seems absolutely insane to me. They work at a trauma center! Can a therapist (at a TRAUMA center!) essentially say, "you're too messed up, I can't treat you, go away?" What are his rights?

If it matters, my friend runs an adult website. Nothing extreme, just straight naked girls.

Malpractice attorney recommendation

Gamblor — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 16:14:47 -0800

Can anyone recommend a medical malpractice attorney in NYC?

Lack of rectal exams = malpractice?

greatgefilte — Thu, 05 Jan 2006 21:21:08 -0800

For the lawyers out there: if a family physician has never performed (or offered to perform) a yearly rectal exam on a 50+ year old, are there possible grounds for malpractice if the patients develops rectal cancer 10-15 years on? Does the fact that the patient is part of a population that has an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer matter? Of course, I'm not seeking specific legal advice, but I'm wondering if there's any precedent for this...

How can I check a doctor's professional history?

nickyskye — Fri, 15 Jul 2005 17:52:05 -0800

Can anyone help me find out about my New York City based doctor's professional history in greater depth? Am facing major surgery this week and am trying to check out my doctors. I've looked in the AMA site (basic info), HeathyGrades (costs $7.95 for info about any past disciplinary actions taken against a doctor but not about lawsuits taken out against doctors). The NY State Department of Health site has listings of professional misconduct and physician discipline but also no malpractice lawsuit info.

Researching US Doctors

_sirmissalot_ — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 09:38:28 -0800

Is there somewhere online--maybe a government site--where you can check the credentials of U.S. doctors? (As in, have they been sued 20 times for malpractice, where did they go to med school, etc.) When I search for something like that, I get spambot hell and/or paid services. I need to go to a specialist and don't have the luxury of knowing enough people here to get a recommendation.

Frivolous Lawsuits

pikachulolita — Wed, 06 Oct 2004 15:56:46 -0800

This election year, four states have medical malpractice award limits on the ballot. Since I know there are doctors (and lawyers) on mefi, I was wondering if any of them know of any other solutions to the issue of "frivolous lawsuits" driving up insurance costs (more inside). Note: not looking for a debate on the ballot measures in question, just looking for alternative solutions. I ask this question because I live in Oregon, one of the states that's voting on such a measure, and I am tired of seeing television ads sponsored by insurance companies implying this is the only way to reduce liability/malpractice insurance. On the other side, I see lawyers pushing the "no" vote under the guise of "calling for effective insurance reform", which is never actually discussed. It seems like something has to be done to minimize illegitimate malpractice suits and insurance from bankrupting doctors, but it also seems like the insurance companies have some unmitigated gall paying doctors to be in their ads saying that their insurance premiums are too high.

Are there other reasonable, less profit-based methods of weeding out these lawsuits?