Will a doctor lose their license for medical malpractice?

When you are sick or injured in some way, you trust your doctors to help get you better. Unfortunately, doctors and other healthcare professionals sometimes commit errors due to negligence, which can result in serious injury or even death. Some common causes of medical negligence include a misdiagnosis or a failure to diagnose, medication errors, surgical and/or anesthesia errors.  

The purpose of filing a lawsuit against a doctor for medical malpractice is to give the injured party or loved ones the chance to get financially compensated for the damages caused by the medical professional. Doctors carry malpractice insurance coverage for legal claims that can arise from allegations of medical negligence. Malpractice insurance helps to cover defense fees, expert witness costs, legal fees, and the costs associated with settlement.

A lawsuit for medical malpractice is not intended to revoke the medical license of the defendant, even if they are found liable for negligence. Revoking a doctor’s medical license is a separate process that takes place outside of the civil courtroom. The job of the civil court is to provide an outlet for injured victims or their loved ones, in cases of wrongful death due to medical negligence, to be “made whole” again. 

Doctors may lose their license to practice medicine if deemed to be a threat to society or if they behaved in such a reckless and negligent manner that it exceeded typical allegations of negligence. This is determined by a state’s medical board vs. a civil court of law.

Are you planning to sue a doctor?

While suing for medical malpractice is not all that uncommon, only about 3% of these claims make it to a court of law. Victims either agree to an out-of-court settlement, decide to withdraw the case, or the case is dismissed by the court.

Therefore, when figuring out if you have a medical malpractice case, doing your research and then hiring an attorney who has knowledge and experience in handling medical malpractice cases is of primary importance. In the San Diego area, Scott S. Harris, has more than 30 years of experience helping victims of medical malpractice, including those victims who have suffered due to the negligence of a Kaiser doctor or hospital,

What to expect when you call an attorney?

Most medical malpractice attorneys will schedule a free consultation to discuss the validity of your case. Be prepared with as many of the case details as possible including, but not limited to:

  • A list of all healthcare professionals involved in your claim
  • Dates and times 
  • Any relevant communications and documents such as medical records, bills, proof of lost wages
  • Insurance communications
  • Photographs of your condition, if relevant
  • A list of questions to ask your attorney

Contact our office to schedule a free initial consultation. Scott S. Harris will review the details of your case and work closely with you to develop a strategy for a successful claim.