We all make mistakes. However, as a doctor or other medical technician, a mistake from one of these professionals can be incredibly damaging. Sometimes we do not even make mistakes, but patients will still file potentially damaging malpractice claims. Here are some of the best paths to follow if you do receive a malpractice claim from a former patient.
Keep Calm
Your first instinct will no doubt be to panic about the situation. However, this is unlikely to help you. You instead need to focus on making things right. It can be difficult to put your feelings aside so you can try to improve things. Make sure you explain to your friends and family what has happened so they can support you through the process.
If you a private medical professional, you should have insurance to help you out in such a scenario. An indemnity insurance policy is designed to protect you from negligence suits like these. Protect yourself and get the right insurance for your career here: https://incisionindemnity.com/
Gather Your Own Evidence
If you think the claim might have been filed falsely, you should do everything in your power to fight it. Make sure you consult a lawyer who specialises in these types of malpractice suits. The more knowledgeable you are, the better position you will be in to fight this claim.
The evidence is going to be a key part of this. Try to gather information about what you recommended as treatment and the path they should have followed. Make sure you include any notes you made during the appointments the patient they had. Even something that might seem inconsequential might be what you need to get the claim thrown out.
Be Sincere and Understanding
Even if the case comes out in your favour, the claimant might have had their life seriously affected by what has happened to them. Likewise, your reputation might become quite damaged by the claim, especially if the claimant decides to take it to the press.
However, you should instead try to stay as gracious as possible throughout the whole process. If you are seen to be sympathetic and genuinely sincere in your actions, it will serve you much better than if you are cold and withdrawn. Acknowledging that you have had an effect on this person’s life, even if they are later proven to be lying, will always be the better path to take.
Keep Business Running as Usual
You will still have a business to run even when fighting a malpractice suit. It cannot become neglected as that might result in many more suits. Though it can be very difficult to do, you need to make sure you are as focused on your business as ever.
Try to complete each new patient to the same standard and level of care as you always have. Just by delivering a stellar experience at your surgery, you might be able to dispel some of the rumours swirling around you. Sometimes, it is just simple changes like this that can really help you as you try to keep things going as normal.
A malpractice suit can be incredibly difficult to fight but there are ways to do so. As difficult as it might be, you need to make sure that you keep your head above water and continue as usual. Gather evidence, make sure your insurance is valid, and get some good legal advice. It is entirely possible to defend yourself through a medical malpractice suit if you make the right choices. Before you know it, you could be back to serving patients happily once more.
