Are Doctors Suspended After Malpractice Claims?

Posted on October 08, 2014 by Shapiro Law Group

A CBS investigation discovered that most Florida doctors with a history of malpractice claims retain their medical licenses, even after multiple settlements.

In 2009, a 42-year-old mother of two was vacationing in Florida with her family when she was diagnosed with appendicitis. She had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.

Unfortunately, the woman bled to death in her hospital bed two days later from surgical complications. Her husband and children were understandably devastated.

While reviewing her medical file, her husband was shocked to see that his wife’s blood pressure remained critically low for hours after surgery. Monitoring vitals is a crucial part of post-op recovery, but no one caring for his wife investigated the issue.

The man believed the surgeon’s negligence contributed to his wife’s death, and sued him for failing to monitor her properly after the procedure. The surgeon denied any wrongdoing, but settled the case for $250,000 – the maximum payout allowed by his insurance company.

CBS News looked into the doctor’s background and realized he has made 11 medical malpractice payouts since 2000 – more than almost any other doctor in Florida. Despite all the allegations, the Florida Board of Medicine has never restricted his license.

Intrigued, reporters sought out the 25 doctors in Florida with the highest rate of malpractice payouts. Only four had lost their licenses, and not one was revoked for providing poor medical care. Most were only disciplined after being arrested for drug trafficking or billing fraud.

Employers are responsible for the actions of their employees in the workplace. When a surgeon has a history of reckless behavior, the hospital that hires him has a responsibility to make sure he does not harm patients.

I Need a Medical Malpractice Lawyer in Florida

The Florida Board of Medicine and local hospitals may not be doing their job, but Shapiro Law Group can help victims of negligence get justice. If a reckless healthcare professional caused your injuries, share your story with one of our licensed attorneys today.

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[Did You Know: More than half of U.S. doctors who are disciplined by their hospitals are never punished by their state medical board.]

Shapiro Law Group – Medical Malpractice Attorneys Serving the Tampa Bay Area

Source: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/despite-multiple-malpractice-payouts-doctors-often-keep-practicing/

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