Medical Justice provides free consultations to doctors facing medico-legal obstacles. We have solutions for doctor-patient conflicts, unwarranted demands for refunds, online defamation (patient review mischief), meritless litigation, and a gazillion other issues. If you are navigating a medico-legal obstacle, visit our booking page to schedule a free consultation – or use the tool shared below.

My father was not a conventionally wealthy man. Not a billionaire. Very few worldly assets. Modest bank account. Still, he had enough to do the things he wanted to do. He lived 94 years on this planet. He lived well.

My mother just opened the safety deposit box and found a handwritten note from my Dad. A message from his grave.

It was titled “Ethical Will.”

I had never heard of an ethical will. Apparently, it’s intended as words of wisdom. Guidance. Words of gratitude. Memories.

Here is what he wrote:

• Glad you all are married. I hope you will do everything to make your spouses happier and happier as time goes by.
• Don’t make money your major asset in your lives. Your spouses and your children are your major treasures.
• Make truth a foundation stone in your life. There is no such thing as a “half-truth” or a “small lie.”
• Spend time with your spouse and your children. Time goes by too quickly. Before you turn around – it’s gone. Go on dates often with your wives and husband [I have two sister-in laws and one brother-in-law] – not only as part of groups—just the two of you. It will increase your love for each other.
• Treat your mother well. She is the best of the best. She treated me beyond my wildest hopes – and she was the one who brought you up well. I may have attempted to inculcate wisdom in you, but she gave you common sense, love, affection, and compassion—that so many lack today. She was truly the backbone of our family.
• Always respect your fellow human beings – because you yourself want to be respected by them.

Simple messages.

Powerful messages.

I have no idea when he wrote this note and popped it into the vault. It had no date. It was intended to be read – and absorbed – after he was gone.

Importantly, he didn’t wait until his death to deliver these words. These were principles that guided his daily life. And my mother and siblings knew it.

I generally use this space to post on the medico-legal world. I made an exception today. I plan to frame a copy of his words and place it on my wall.

What do you think?

Medical Justice provides free consultations to doctors facing medico-legal obstacles. We have solutions for doctor-patient conflicts, unwarranted demands for refunds, online defamation (patient review mischief), meritless litigation, and a gazillion other issues. If you are navigating a medico-legal obstacle, visit our booking page to schedule a free consultation – or use the tool shared below.

Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Dr. Jeffrey Segal, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Medical Justice, is a board-certified neurosurgeon. Dr. Segal is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons; the American College of Legal Medicine; and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. He is also a member of the North American Spine Society. In the process of conceiving, funding, developing, and growing Medical Justice, Dr. Segal has established himself as one of the country’s leading authorities on medical malpractice issues, counterclaims, and internet-based assaults on reputation.

Dr. Segal was a practicing neurosurgeon for approximately ten years, during which time he also played an active role as a participant on various state-sanctioned medical review panels designed to decrease the incidence of meritless medical malpractice cases.

Dr. Segal holds a M.D. from Baylor College of Medicine, where he also completed a neurosurgical residency. Dr. Segal served as a Spinal Surgery Fellow at The University of South Florida Medical School. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa as well as the AOA Medical Honor Society. Dr. Segal received his B.A. from the University of Texas and graduated with a J.D. from Concord Law School with highest honors.

In 2000, he co-founded and served as CEO of DarPharma, Inc, a biotechnology company in Chapel Hill, NC, focused on the discovery and development of first-of-class pharmaceuticals for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Dr. Segal is also a partner at Byrd Adatto, a national business and health care law firm. Byrd Adatto was selected as a Best Law Firm in the 2023 edition of the “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News – Best Lawyers. With over 50 combined years of experience in serving doctors, dentists, and other providers, Byrd Adatto has a national pedigree to address most legal issues that arise in the business and practice of medicine.