Lawsuit Question

[retro]

I'm about 6 years out of residency, and I just found out I got named in a lawsuit for the first time.
The whole timing of things was weird, and I'm still confused.
Let me lay out the timeline of what happened.

I saw the patient back in 2020. I have no recollection of the case whatsoever.
Around 1 year later (2021), patient passes away.
The family of the deceased files a lawsuit in 2023. Initially, I wasn't named in the lawsuit.
The case has been ongoing ever since.
And here comes Spring 2025, and the plaintiff decides to include about 10 more doctors including me, couple RNs, etc.

The person from risk management tells me that the plaintiff is allowed up to 2 years to file a lawsuit since the date of patient's expiration. Because I was named on 2025, I'm out of the window and will most likely be dropped.

My question is, will I have to mention this on the 'Malpractice / Misdemeanor' section of the job application every time I look for a new job in the future? If so, that would suck greatly.

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[RustedFox]

I'm about 6 years out of residency, and I just found out I got named in a lawsuit for the first time.
The whole timing of things was weird, and I'm still confused.
Let me lay out the timeline of what happened.

I saw the patient back in 2020. I have no recollection of the case whatsoever.
Around 1 year later (2021), patient passes away.
The family of the deceased files a lawsuit in 2023. Initially, I wasn't named in the lawsuit.
The case has been ongoing ever since.
And here comes Spring 2025, and the plaintiff decides to include about 10 more doctors including me, couple RNs, etc.

The person from risk management tells me that the plaintiff is allowed up to 2 years to file a lawsuit since the date of patient's expiration. Because I was named on 2025, I'm out of the window and will most likely be dropped.

My question is, will I have to mention this on the 'Malpractice / Misdemeanor' section of the job application every time I look for a new job in the future? If so, that would suck greatly.

Hi.
Jackpot lawsuit survivor here.

You'll have to name it, but on every credentialing paperwork item I've ever had to add it to, there's also ample room to explain why it happened/was bogus.

I was named and dropped from a case involving a PA in 2018/2019 where the PA sent home a cellulitis that was actually nec.fasc. The PA named another doc in the medical record ("Hurr durr, I talked to Dr. Cue-ball about the case and he said ok), then sent the chart to me for co-signature because this PA was SPECIAL-special. I signed it a day later in my underwear, never even having been there.

Nobody cares.

 

[southerndoc]

I'm on my hospital's Med Exec Committee. Trust me, it's not going to be a red flag on your chart.

One thing I would advise is to not post anything public, on social media, etc. as it may come back to bite you. Trust your defense attorney.

 

[EctopicFetus]

I would also advise that you have your attorney (you will be assigned one) write up your response for credentialing and medical licensing. It is free to you and more importantly this isnt a time to DIY stuff.

 

[WhatJobDoIPick]

I would also advise that you have your attorney (you will be assigned one) write up your response for credentialing and medical licensing. It is free to you and more importantly this isnt a time to DIY stuff.

I've been named 2x. Both nonsense.

Nobody cares.

Agree with above. I've had my atty both times draft letters. Make sure to save the court orders when you are dropped.

 

[Porfirio]

Had one lawsuit that settled, another that had intent to sue but never became a lawsuit

Just write a blurb about it. Or have your lawyer write it. Just copy and paste it every time you fill out the forms. Most forms ask any lawsuits within 10 or 5 years.

No one cares except the plaintiff.

 

[gutonc]

I'm on my hospital's Med Exec Committee. Trust me, it's not going to be a red flag on your chart.

One thing I would advise is to not post anything public, on social media, etc. as it may come back to bite you. Trust your defense attorney.

I used to be on my hospital's MEC and 100% agree. I used to read through credentialing apps and cases like this would bring out the "b**ch please" in me.

 

[Boatswain2PA]

I was named and dropped from a case involving a PA in 2018/2019 where the PA sent home a cellulitis that was actually nec.fasc.

Do you think it looked like nec fas and was a real miss?
Or do you think it looked like cellulitis and evolved?

 

[RustedFox]

Do you think it looked like nec fas and was a real miss?
Or do you think it looked like cellulitis and evolved?

Hard to say because I didn't ever see it, but when the only physical exam finding in the chart (other than the templated normal exam finding) was: "redness to groin" , and the guy comes back dead the next day - it leaves a lot out. I'm going on other encounters with this PA, which were... SPECIAL special.

 

[Brigade4Radiant]

Its just a thing you list. Usually they want the verdict and be able to look at the case number.

 

[Rendar5]

I had to mention my residency lawsuit for all jobs forn5 years. Then I had to inform my employer when it was dropped. It was not a big deal. Cost 2-3 minutes per year.

 

[DocEspana]

This is actually all super reassuring. Ive dodged all lawsuit issues so far* and feel like its just a matter of time before it happens. I wouldn't know how to feel and this exact question (especially if its spurious) would be the exact sort of thing that would have kept me awake wondering.


*not for one insane family's lack of trying/desire, but they couldn't get a lawyer to take their case because they only wanted to sue the people who DIDNT mess up and specifically wanted the lawyer to not go after the people who did kill grandma. Risk management told me much later that they were so thankful the family's hate of me and two other ED docs was so unreasonable that the whole hospital dodged a lawsuit.

 

[Boatswain2PA]

Risk management told me much later that they were so thankful the family's hate of me and two other ED docs was so unreasonable that the whole hospital dodged a lawsuit.

Did you take that opportunity to educate them on the ridiculousness of the "customer service" culture imposed by most hospital adminiscritters?

 

[DocEspana]

Did you take that opportunity to educate them on the ridiculousness of the "customer service" culture imposed by most hospital adminiscritters?

hahahaha bad customer service saved them from the lawsuit! I never thought of it like that. Jesus. Now I have to drive over there on a mon-fri and see if that guy is in the office because he needs to know.

 

[RustedFox]

This is actually all super reassuring. Ive dodged all lawsuit issues so far* and feel like its just a matter of time before it happens. I wouldn't know how to feel and this exact question (especially if its spurious) would be the exact sort of thing that would have kept me awake wondering.


*not for one insane family's lack of trying/desire, but they couldn't get a lawyer to take their case because they only wanted to sue the people who DIDNT mess up and specifically wanted the lawyer to not go after the people who did kill grandma. Risk management told me much later that they were so thankful the family's hate of me and two other ED docs was so unreasonable that the whole hospital dodged a lawsuit.

I remember that post.
Wild.