Open AccessBad Results or Medical Malpractice in Pain Medicine: Ways to Prevent a Suit and What to Do Once a Suit Is Inevitable
Author(s) -
Smith Salem,
Deer Timothy
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
pain medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.893
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1526-4637
pISSN - 1526-2375
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2008.00450.x
Subject(s) - malpractice , defensive medicine , medical malpractice , medicine , pain and suffering , medical practice , law , family medicine , political science
An unfortunate reality of medical practice is that many clinicians will be a target of malpractice litigation during their career. This article describes the critical issues involved in understanding malpractice law. We examine the differences between a malpractice suit and a bad outcome. The article also examines the actions a physician can take to improve their litigation risks and outcomes. The critical factors needed to defend a physician in a medical malpractice suit are also detailed. Conclusion. This article discusses how to prevent malpractice litigation against an interventional pain physician and the appropriate actions once a bad result has occurred.