Malpractice

[Melomare17]

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Hey,

I was just wondering if podiatrists face malpractice lawsuits (and hence need expensive malpractice insurance as MDs/DOs do). Still new to podiatry field so please don't bash me! 🙂

 

[AttackNME]

Not just podiatry, but much pretty every medical profession face lawsuits. People will sue for anything.

 

[amaprez]

The above post is very true, especially with surgically related specialties. For example, if you're an OB-GYN doc (especially if you work at a busy hospital) you can expect to be sued about once or twice every decade of your career.

Keep in mind most medical lawsuits are filed over poor outcome, not necessarily poor physician practice. The majority are tossed and don't make it through court. But if you are truly worried about it, work on your bedside manner. It's been shown that patients are far less likely to sue a doc they have a good rapport with.

 

[bobdolerson]

There have also been studies recently contrasting the accepted norm of never admitting error. Apologizing for a legitimate mistake has been shown to drop lawsuits by a substantial amount (I believe something like 50%, but I don't recall the exact number).

And like the previous poster said, just like you'd be less likely to sue your friend as opposed to a random stranger, maintaining the intimate patient-doctor relationship will do wonders for limiting frivolous lawsuits.

At the same time, it's also true that some people just want money and see things like slipping on the floor at Wal-Mart akin to winning the lottery.

 

[347932]

The majority are tossed and don't make it through court.

I don't think that's accurate.

The problem is that settling a case is easier than fighting it regardless of how frivolous the case seems.

You're right that they don't make it to court, but not because it's tossed. Mostly because they are settled out of court.

 

[bobdolerson]

Kind of like RIAA lawsuits. Sometimes it's easier to just give the bully your milk money...

 

[Melomare17]

Hmm ok thanks for all your responses!