Adverse Events, Stress, and Litigation

A Physician's Guide

Sara C. Charles, M.D. and Paul R. Frisch, J.D.
Illustrated by Ronald Bailey

Bad medical outcomes traumatize patients but they also traumatize physicians. Although every physician's case is different, this book shows how each goes through the same judicial stages of complaint, discovery, depositions, motions, and delays that lead to trial, settlement, or being dropped. Written by a physician and a lawyer, the book provides unique insights - through real-life stories - into the personal experience of litigation as well as sound recommendations for dealing with each stage of the legal process.

Adverse Events, Stress, and Litigation

A Physician's Guide

Sara C. Charles, M.D. and Paul R. Frisch, J.D.
Illustrated by Ronald Bailey

Description

What is it like to be sued for medical malpractice? Bad medical outcomes traumatize patients but they also traumatize physicians. The litigation that often follows is a profoundly human, rather than just a legal experience. Although every physician's case is different, this book shows how each case goes through the same judicial stages of complaint, discovery, depositions, motions, and delays that lead to trial, settlement, or being dropped. It also gives doctors an understanding of how lawyers think and work to help defendants. Written by a physician and a lawyer, the book provides unique insights - through real-life stories - into the personal experience of litigation as well as recommendations for dealing with each of the legal process. It also includes up-to-date reviews of HIPAA legislation, the controversial subject of disclosure, and recent developments in the law affecting medical practitioners. Only about thirty percent of plaintiffs win their cases against doctors, but the journey from bedside to witness stand tests both the personal character and the professional skills of those accused. This well-documented book will help doctors understand and navigate the legal system while honoring their own ideals and emerging changed but stronger from the experience.

Adverse Events, Stress, and Litigation

A Physician's Guide

Sara C. Charles, M.D. and Paul R. Frisch, J.D.
Illustrated by Ronald Bailey

Prologue -- Four Days in the Nineties
1. Adverse Events: A Basis for Litigation
2. Adverse Events: What We Feel and Why
3. Disclosure After an Adverse Event
4. Adverse Events: What Doctors Can Say about Them
5. The Interim: Waiting for the Other Shoe to Drop
6. The Complaint: A Prelude to Litigation
7. Meeting the Lawyers
8. Coping With the Stress of Litigation
9. Discovery: Gaining a Foothold for the Defense of our claim
10. To Settle or not to Settle
11. The Trial
12. Case Over: What's Next
13. Closing Arguments
Appendix: 1. Case Histories
Appendix: 2. Notes on a Case
Glossary

Adverse Events, Stress, and Litigation

A Physician's Guide

Sara C. Charles, M.D. and Paul R. Frisch, J.D.
Illustrated by Ronald Bailey

Reviews and Awards

"This book is the ultimate resoruce for physicians facing litigation...excellent case histories."--Doody's Book Review Service

"The book educates physicians about the legal steps they can expect and provides information on how lawyers think and work to help defendants. The book also covers the controversial topic of disclosure."--ACOG Clinical Review

"This book is a prime example of a book about which many will say. 'I wish I read this book before!' It is well written, thoughtful, and full of practical advice."--Annals of Clinical Psychiatry

"The sentinel work on the management of litigation stress, Charles and Frisch's Physician's Guide: Adverse Events, Stress and Litigation teaches that in certain predisposed physicians, such as those with preexisting trauma or depression, severe or prolonged stress reactions to litigation are more likely...seems more complete, better balanced, and more immediately useful to physicians experiencing litigation stress."--JAMA