Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD - Medical Justice

Consent Forms Fail to Meet 8th Grade Reading Level

August 15, 2024December 10, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

In the US, we have never had so many college graduates. Presumably, they can read. And I get that consent forms used by physicians and hospitals need to be readable for all patients. So, a recent study grabbed my attention. The key finding: In this nationwide survey study and readability analysis, only 9 (8%) of 113 cancer radiotherapy clinical … Read more

A Hospital Dings a Doctor’s Reputation. Doctor Sues. Collects $6M Award.

August 15, 2024December 2, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Normally, when a doctor is subjected to peer review over safety concerns, it is a cage fight. If the doctor loses, his career will be on life support. His reputation damaged. Reports made to licensing boards and National Practitioner Data Bank. He will wander in the desert for 40 years. Dr. Miguel Gomez never received … Read more

How to Have Your Day in Court and Keep Your Nest Egg | Top Med-Mal Defense Measures with Super Lawyer Chris Schulte, JD

September 4, 2024November 21, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Key points in this blog… In the event a doctor must settle a malpractice case, how can he keep his name off the National Practitioner Data Bank? In the event of a runaway verdict, how can a doctor protect his most important assets? When purchasing a malpractice insurance policy, why are consent to settle clauses so … Read more

In Pennsylvania, Supreme Court Decides It’s Possible to Sue Doctor Decade(s) Later for Med Mal

August 15, 2024November 5, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

In 2003, a patient had liver transplant surgery at UPMC, a Pittsburgh based healthcare system. In a recent 4 to 3 decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court decided to throw out the state law barring medical malpractice lawsuits after 7 years. The case lives on. A little history and background. In 2002, the Pennsylvania legislature, … Read more

What Doctors Get Wrong About Med-Mal Litigation | A Deep Dive with Florida Super Lawyer Chris Schulte, JD

August 15, 2024October 28, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Subscribe to this podcast! * indicates required Email Address * On this episode of the Medical Liability Minute, Medical Justice Founder and CEO, Jeff Segal, MD, JD, and Florida Super Lawyer, Chris Schulte, JD, discuss what most doctors get wrong about medical malpractice litigation – and what they can do to increase the chances they’ll get their case dismissed … Read more

Mature female doctor discussing medical report with nurses in hospital hallway

Ebola and HIPAA. Who, Me?

September 17, 2024October 24, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

When Ebola became big news at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, the names of infected patients also become news. Many have scratched their heads wondering how these disclosures failed to trigger HIPAA concerns.

Helpful Hint to Plaintiff’s Attorneys

August 15, 2024October 23, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Our organization, Medical Justice, advocates for doctors. We don’t apologize for that. It’s difficult to be a physician and there are thousands of threats that make just taking care of patients hard. We are especially opposed to lawyers filing non-meritorious lawsuits against doctors. Not all lawsuits against physicians lack merit. Some are well founded. Judgments … Read more

Forcing a Patient to Take One for the Team. Ethics Takes a Dive.

August 15, 2024October 14, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

We have all heard of some doctors refusing to care for the sickest patients because embracing such a risk could impact their outcome statistics. Colloquially known as cherry-picking. Risk adjustment should address that concern. Yet, it still happens. Here’s a new one. Keeping a patient alive much longer than the family would accept to keep … Read more

Do Health Insurance Carriers Have to Pay for Injuries Caused by DUIs?

August 15, 2024September 30, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

In the news. Patrick Conway, the president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina was arrested and faces charges of driving while impaired and reckless driving after an alleged alcohol-related automobile accident in summer, 2019. In additional, because two minor children were in the car with him, he also faces charges of misdemeanor child … Read more

“Doctor, I Need You to See This Patient”

August 15, 2024September 21, 2019 by Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

When I was a resident, one attending asserted he’d rather have a resident at bedside making the evaluation than Harvey Cushing (the father of neurosurgery) at home. Technology has improved and, today, diagnoses can often be made remotely. Still, when a nurse beckons, and says she’s worried, you should listen. A recent paper supports that … Read more

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