“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)
TELL THE TRUTH. We begin by being honest with our defense counsel. Protected by the lawyer-client privilege, we can speak about our medical malpractice lawsuit openly and without fear. The mutual uncertainty of regard in our first meeting may lead us to withhold, for the moment, or to gloss over some of the less-than-flattering information… Read More »From Doctor to Defendant: Honesty, — the best policy (Part 2 of 4)