Distress is characterized by a wide variety of disruptive emotions and reactions following a significant traumatic event. It is not a diagnosis but a normal response to abnormal events such as significant clinical adverse events and lawsuits. Manifestations include: Anger – Sued physicians, for example, often think that the suit is not only unfair but… Read More »Distress in the Aftermath of Litigation
“It is not what a lawyer tells me I may do; but what humanity, reason, and justice, tell me I ought to do.” – Edmund Burke (1729-1797) It is normal and healthy to want to express how we feel after we experience any major life event. This is especially true for physicians facing medical malpractice… Read More »Can I Talk to Anyone About My Lawsuit?
FOLLOW THE ATTORNEY’S ADVICE. We all appreciate being heard and agree that listening is an art practiced by two. Because our case is played out in the unfamiliar territory of the court, we must sharpen our listening skills and keep our minds open to what our defense attorneys advise about the strategies, approaches, and timing… Read More »From Doctor to Defendant: Trusting Our Attorney (Part 4 of 4)
STRESS SOMETIMES DISTORTS WHAT WE SAY. Do not hesitate to clarify misunderstandings. Our judgment that we are conveying our thoughts successfully may be vastly off the mark. The attorney may get a picture of what happened that is vastly different than the one we intended to convey. It is prudent to ask our attorneys to… Read More »From Doctor to Defendant: Our Schedule is No Longer Our Own (Part 3 of 4)