A patient sues after a physician suggested hospice care

“My patient lived – so she sued me.”
A frivolous lawsuit is filed after a physician suggested hospice care, but the patient lived. Although the majority of lawsuits that do go to trial are won by the physician, the mere act of being involved in a frivolous lawsuit is quite disruptive. Lawyers are paid to be in the courtroom – physicians are not. Every minute spent at depositions and hearings is a minute taken away from what doctors do best – which is patient care. Simply another way the patient loses with frivolous lawsuits:

I still have bitter feelings toward that attorney, though. I wonder if he appreciates or cares how such a nuisance suit can disrupt a doctor’s life, and cause him significant “pain and suffering.” Since this is a small town, I’m sure I’ll run into him at some point, and perhaps I’ll address the matter directly with him.

For me, this case was an exceedingly stressful and time-consuming experience. I’m still upset that despite having helped Millie through her difficulties, and thereby extending her life, I was wrongly accused of negligence. Ironically, if she had passed away sooner, I probably wouldn’t have been sued.

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