After your attorney is selected, some physicians consider whether or not to hire an attorney of their own. There are several reasons to consider doing so. If your exposure exceeds your policy limits, consider retaining personal counsel. Personal counsel will have as a primary goal the protection of your assets where there is excess exposure.…
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Defense Attorney Brian Whitelaw on The Relationship Between Physician, Defense Counsel, and Insurance Carrier
Despite the likelihood of being sued, most physicians are inadequately prepared to understand the dynamics affecting the relationship between physician, defense attorney and insurance company. Shortly after your lawsuit is served, a meeting or telephone conference will typically be scheduled with your insurance claim representative. The malpractice carrier will also send a letter acknowledging receipt…
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Relationships During Litigation: With Others in Our Social Network
(Respecting the concerns of legal and insurance counsel, we can talk about our feelings with trusted confidants but not the specifics of the case.) Our relationships within our church or faith community can also give us significant support. We can pray and share our predicament with our priest, rabbi, or minister, with our Bible study…
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Relationships During Litigation: With Our Fellow Professionals
(Respecting the concerns of legal and insurance counsel, we can talk about our feelings with trusted confidants but not the specifics of the case.) Our pre-litigation manner of relating to our extended family, our medical colleagues, and our friends and acquaintances will be mirrored in our post-litigation relationships, The more intimate we are with members…
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