So folks, what's the malpractice currently like for our surgery colleagues? Is it manageable or is it heading towards OB-GYN levels?
How do general surgeons deal with this? Going to court seems to be such a time waster by itself especially when oftentimes the MD is not guilty.
Manageable depends on your income and the debt to income ratio contributed by malpractice insurance. Most surgeons in private practice have quoted me rates from $7K (first year out) to over $80K per year. The rates differ depending on:
environment (some states, like PA, are more expensive due to high litigation costs and awards)
years in practice (usually the newbies are charged less)
history of litigation
field - some areas, like breast surgery, have fairly high litigation and surgeons are being charged more. Neurosurgeons, amongst the specialties, would generally have high rates as well, but I am not familiar with them.
Obviously if you work for an institution as a faculty member, your malpractice insurance is covered as part of the benefits package.
Going to court is not necessarily a "waste of time" because a settlement, even without the admission of guilt, appears on your record and the general public cannot distinguish between a guilty jury verdict and a settlement out of court because the insurance company feels it will be cheaper (and not necessarily because they think you will lose) than going to trial. The vast majority of suits never reach trial and those that do, tend to find in favor of the physician. But being sued stinks and even if you are acquitted or the case is dropped or settled, you have to mention it on license and credentialing applications for the rest of your life.
