Can I talk to you for a book I’m writing?

My email: shannon.brownlee@comcast.net

Thanks

I did not sue when I was finally diagnossed several years later, at a later stage. I was less angry at the pathologist, who made a flagrant error, than the internist who decided I was a hypochondriac and treated me as such, although prior to the these symptoms, Id been rather doctor avoidant. Had I sued, she would have been my target. Better to say “we dont know” and treat the patient with respect, than to blame the patient for failure to diagnose.

And, supposedly, I didnt go to bad Drs– all were on the so called “best of” lists”

This statement has literally no basis in fact.

“In fact, I believe ignorance drives most malpractice lawsuits – patients truly believe they were wronged because of what they saw on TV or heard on the radio or what their “expert” doctor told them.”

This is half right. Because ignorance is partly responsible. The ignorance stems from the unwillingness of medical providers to spend enough time with their patients when something does go wrong. Instead, they clam up.

“Another reason for lawsuits that I think is specific to America is that many people don’t take responsibility for their own actions.”

Absolutely true. If people would take responsibility for their actions and pay for the harm they’ve caused (or more accurately, if their insurers would), then the need for lawsuits would be lessened. As it is, businesses are responsible for the vast majority of lawsuits filed in the US.

Now, if you think people failing to take responsibility is a uniquely American thing, then you’re fooling yourself. Why you don’t hear as much about lawsuits in other countries is that the need for them is alleviated by the vast social safety network. Our litigation system is largely about burden shifting to the responsible party. In many other countries (at least Westernized ones), there is no burden to shift as the taxpayer picks up the tab.

CJD

Another reason for lawsuits that I think is specific to America is that many people don’t take responsibility for their own actions. If I didn’t get test results in the mail, it is my responsibility to call and to check. Even if somebody promised to call. I might be upset that they didn’t do as promised, but it shouldn’t be grounds for lawsuit IMHO because I know how to use the phone. If I refused a test/prescription it is my responsibility to live with consequences. Just like if I decided to swim far in the ocean and drowned. It’s great if a lifeguard saves me, but if not it is my fault. But for some reason here in America people don’t like to blame themselves. Not all Americans, maybe even the minority, but enough to make life worse for all of us.

You sound kind of clueless…a physician can almost always justify the need for a test…the insurance companies just put up these hurdles, like you have to call “1-800-dildo” or whatever, and press a whole lot of numbers in succession, then you get to some high school graduate who asks you asks you questions off a computer template for whatever test you’re ordering. If you say the patient has chest pain, you think they won’t allow a stress test? Or if you say rule out appendicitis, you think a cat scan wouldn’t be approved? Every test I have ever ordered has been approved, you just have to put up with the nonsense of wasting time on the call.

I was referring to small claims cases like hers. You mistake “frivolous” with cases you don’t agree with.

Besides, most of the time you’re not even paying out of pocket for the direct costs of your attorney, so really it would be your insurer’s decision to pursue the claim.

CJD

CJD

Last thing I need is a sodomite like CJD tracking me down and suing me for libel for something I wrote on this blog. I do this to release tension about lawsuits, not add to my risk. If you made docs sign in, they’s leave.