We are a group of physicians that have been working with the Medical Justice eMerit team for the past 9 years. They have helped us obtain many more reviews from our patients by streamlining the process and making it much more convenient for our patients. They have also helped us in the process of flagging and getting fictitious reviews removed. Throughout our experience with them, they have been highly effective, honest, timely, talented and professional. If you are looking for a service to help manage your reviews, we highly recommend them.
Elliott23232323
Elliott23232323
14:44 17 Jan 24
The competence and responsiveness of the Medical Justice / eMerit team is remarkable. We have been super impressed with Robin and Josh, and their entire team. We ran a "test" with them and we've been more than happy to give them more business. They are now our go-to group. Thanks again, Team Medical Justice!
Christopher Scully
Christopher Scully
13:54 15 Dec 23
I have been a client for many years and have appreciated Medical Justice's expertise and numerous perks including internet defamation prevention. The team was readily responsive to my needs and helped to remove an unwarranted negative online post. It's difficult enough to practice medicine, much less maintain one's professional online reputation. I highly recommend Medical Justice for any medical professional.
Sohail Delfani, MD
Sohail Delfani, MD
17:05 25 Oct 23
Very enjoyable experience
Brittan Willimon
Brittan Willimon
21:13 09 Jan 23
Totally worth it! I had an issue with a very large insurance company threatening to remove me from their network. Contacted Medical Justice right away. Within lass then a week, Dr. Segal had crafted a magnificent 60-page appeal! Insurance company kept me in network, which saved me a lot of hassle and headache. Worth every penny!
Barbara Wood
Barbara Wood
18:01 13 Dec 22
I have used emerit for 10 years and have been extremely pleased with their service. highly recommend to all medical professionals especially plastic surgeons. very responsive CEO and staff. thanks!!!
Neil Zemmel
Neil Zemmel
13:56 13 Apr 22
When hiring someone professionally fortheir advice, the most important aspectfor me is their time that they give me todiscuss what I need to get the job done.Dr. Segal was always available whenever Ineeded to speak. He is extremelyknowledgeable, patient and kind. He hasthe unique perspective of the legalprofession from a doctors point of view.This is priceless in terms of understandinga Doctor's concerns.
Endodontic Group
Endodontic Group
00:38 31 Jan 22
I would say Medical-Dental Justice is a Level I Trauma Center for the legal matters of health practitioners. Your matters are handled STAT and in a professional and assuring manner. In a legal sense, they set you up with tools for preventive care, assist when there is an injury and handle the legal traumas. Rest assured that the legal injury will be minimized or they will rehab the situation a bring you back to legal health. No physician or dentist should be without this service...period.
Edward Kirsh
Edward Kirsh
21:17 30 Jan 22
I highly recommend Dr. Segal for all doctors who would like to have a bullet proof practice and avoid unnecessary litigation and threat by patients. He is always available and punctuate with time. We have a very busy practice in northern California and Dr. Segal has been a unbelievable asset and success to run it smoothly. You won't regret his service.
Sani Aesthetics, M.D.
Sani Aesthetics, M.D.
01:17 28 Jan 22
Medical Justice is always responsive and gets to solutions. We especially appreciate Josh P and his relentless drive to help us satisfy our customers. Their knowledge of the digital landscape brings us closer to prospective patients.
What's NEXT
What's NEXT
15:06 16 Nov 21
Jeff and his colleague Josh were both very prompt and knowledgeable in helping me resolve an issue with Instagram. Recommended to any healthcare provider needing help online with social media.
Spencer Hawkins
Spencer Hawkins
16:37 12 Sep 21
Dr. Jeffrey Segal and Medical Justice are amazing! They helped me deal with a frivolous and false board complaint to my license quickly and professionally. I was impressed with the amount of attention and copious amounts of time they committed to resolving my case. Dr. Segal also helped greatly in advising me how to protect my practice and avoid similar issues moving forward. I'm fortunate to have found their services! While I hope to not have to deal with more frivolous complaints in the future, I feel better knowing that Dr Segal and Medical Justice are there to help me navigate through what may come.
Lisa Wagner
Lisa Wagner
18:06 16 Aug 21
Dr. Jeff Segal is great at what he does! As a physician and lawyer he understands clearly the difficulty of practicing in this day and age. Having both backgrounds is his biggest strength in the medico-legal arena. He gives sound logical advice and is very responsive. I am glad that I trusted him with my issue which he solved by doing background research into the issue from other specialists. He approached the problem like a physician in a very methodical and detail -oriented way. I'm so happy to have found him! I highly recommend!!!
Nicole Basa MD
Nicole Basa MD
02:14 10 Aug 21
Medical Justice is the GO TOO for any medical provider.
Curt Litton
Curt Litton
00:35 29 Jul 21
Medical Justice exceeded my expectations on delivery of professional services. Top notch professionals, only the Best, and advisors on every medico-legal area of health care, especially Dentistry, with the Great, Vince Monticello, DDS, MBA, JD, on-board. By far a great investment. I enjoy doing business with Jeff and his Outstanding Team!
Rob Eye
Rob Eye
16:16 27 Jul 21
I’ve now been a subscriber and client of medical justice for over a year. Dr. and attorney Jeff Segal has been helpful on several occasions. He has guided me through both potential patient issues as well as recent HR pandemic concerns. He along with the Medical Justice team have given me reassuring legal advice that allows me to proceed with confidence through these difficult times. This is one of my best investments in business and personally.
Walter Tom
Walter Tom
16:06 25 Jul 21
I cannot give enough thanks for Medical Justice’s existence! It is a company that fills such a highly needed niche’ in medicine – especially aesthetic medicine. And it was founded and continues to be led by a visionary, Dr. Jeff Segal. I admire his drive and envy his intelligence. He first completes a rigorous Neurosurgery Residency. That by itself deserves tremendous kudos from anyone in the medical universe. Yet, he eventually goes back to obtain his JD. Yet what he has done in blending those two degrees into an amazing entity, Medical Justice, is nothing short of phenomenal.I was an early adopter of Medical Justice, and all that it provided for me as a surgeon and a business owner, as I am in my 12th year (this year being 2021) of being a member of Medical Justice. Throughout those twelve years, I have leaned on their team in helping maintain a fair and hard-earned online reputation when unfairly attacked. Also, Dr. Segal has always been personally involved with assisting me in resolving conflicts with difficult and unreasonable patients. He has always been only a phone call away, and prompt with his response.What I have especially appreciated is in my discussions resolving these occasional issues with patients over many years, Jeff seems to possess a third therapist certification as a compassionate, empathetic peer that understands my hurt and frustration. He has a way through the phone to put his arm around me, making me feel he sympathizes with my hurt and frustration, and together we will get through whatever issue, and the sun will rise in the morning. He then produces what he promises, as he has threaded the needle to resolution more than once for me. He feels like the big brother I never had that is there for you with honest, realistic guidance to amicable conclusions, when called upon.I just hope I retire before him. I can’t image practicing my specialty without someone like him, as well as his amazing team that he has gathered, that has and continues to have my back. - Dr. Burke Robinson, Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery
Burke Robinson
Burke Robinson
19:17 14 Jul 21
I cannot recommend a more professional or effective and caring team to help in legal matters which are delicate and require a high level of care. Dr. Segal is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and efficient attorneys that I have had that pleasure of working with. He was always available and attentive and demonstrated genuine concern and compassion towards making sure that all matters were handled with the highest level of efficacy. I highly recommend Dr. Segal and his team to any physician or practice, they will not disappoint!
Kriti Mohan
Kriti Mohan
02:15 15 Mar 21
Dr. Segal is kind, professional, and a complete genius! I am so glad to have found him! I would recommend him hands down for anyone needing legal assistance!
Samantha Britt
Samantha Britt
19:57 28 Jan 21
I am an oculofacial plastic surgeon who has been a member of Medical Justice for well over 10 years. It is a pleasure for me to be able to recommend their services to others.We have utilized the Medical Justice consent forms for operative patients throughout this time. It gives me peace of mind to know that any expert witnesses who may be called to give testimony against me are from my specialty. It also gives notice to any potential plaintiff firms that I have not only my malpractice carrier but also Medical Justice working for me should any claims arise, and puts them on notice that any frivolous claims can be in turn be litigated by me against them and the plaintiff.Does this translate to less claims or better results if claims are brought? I can only say that in 30 years of practice I have had a handful of patients request records be sent to plaintiff attorneys, and none have become suits.I can and have offered my highest recommendation for this firm and their services. Their services and client support are outstanding, and are especially beneficial when that letter for your records comes in. To have them on your side is a comfort we can all use.
Alan Brackup
Alan Brackup
15:01 07 Dec 20
The Medical Justice team have a wealth of knowledge and experience in this space. I highly recommend them to medical professionals and practices of any size. They take a highly responsive, professional, practical and no nonsense approach which has proven to be highly effective.
GenXovite Pro
GenXovite Pro
15:42 23 Nov 20
As a physician, reputation is everything. This is why I’ve trusted Emerit for years! Their unmatched ability to handle my clinic’s online reputation has helped us earn more credibility therefor increasing our patient base. They also create custom surveys for patients along with weekly reports so we can provide better treatment. These little things give us the ability to address certain areas of the practice and fix them immediately. I would highly recommend that healthcare providers to at least consider Emerit when considering an online reputation partner. I know I’m glad we did … Robert Odell, MD, PhD, Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Las Vegas
Robert Odell
Robert Odell
17:06 13 Nov 20
I recommend Medical Justice and its founder Dr. Jeff Segal with great enthusiasm. As medicine evolves the private practitioner has become increasingly more isolated. I signed up with Medical Justice so that I would have a sound legal back up for clinical business decision making. My private consultation with Dr. Siegel, neurosurgeon and attorney was insightful. His team, medical justice has already supplied us with appropriate patient forms to help me to continue practicing medicine with confidence. They have already initiated our web presence reviewing with recommendations.Dr. Segal was also readily available for a specific case consultation, and I appreciate his counsel and direction. The peace of mind and collegiality is well worth the investment in Medical Justice.
Walter Tom (Dr Walter Tom)
Walter Tom (Dr Walter Tom)
18:56 05 Nov 20
Have had the help from Medical Justice for about a year now. They are very responsive and always available to answer questions and help with any practice issues I may have. The most satisfying aspect of their assistance is in obtaining and posting patient reviews on various sites. A big help in that
Jonathan Lebowitz
Jonathan Lebowitz
00:50 03 Nov 20
In this era of digital feedback and punishment through fraudulent reviews. I wouldn't leave home without them!!
David Pincus
David Pincus
15:15 02 Nov 20
After a complete nightmare of a frivolous suit in 2002, aided and abetted by the sheer avarice of a competing surgeon right across the street (stunningly, a $2.1 million award over a pea-sized suture granuloma; when it went to the state medical board they dismissed the case as “groundless”), I was advised to join Medical Justice.What a wonderful team! Everyone there has been immediately available for any questions or concerns that have come up over the years. Just having Medical Justice’s cover letter stating that one’s a member will be enough to stop a frivolous threat dead in its tracks — and that alone makes the eminently reasonable annual fee worthwhile many times over.Knowing that Medical Justice “has my back”, and knowing that because of these fabulous people, the worst and most profoundly mind-bending experience of my life would never be allowed to happen again has given me the peace of mind to continue and even enjoy and relish my career over these many years.I can’t say enough about Dr. Jeff Segal, Mike Odden, Wendy Cates and the rest of this amazing team! Joining Medical Justice absolutely will be one of the best decisions of your career. How about 10 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Holly Barbour
Holly Barbour
18:39 05 Mar 20
We have been MedicalJustice members for over nine years, and this is a service that has been priceless for us, and our facial plastic surgical practice. Ninety percent of our new patients cite the Internet as their source of referral, so for us, our internet reputation is priceless. Plus my kids see what's on the internet about our practice. MedicalJustice scours the internet for any online posts about your practice, good and bad. Even if you are able to do things exceedingly well, it is unlikely that you will be able to deliver impeccable care with exemplary bedside manner 100% of the time, have the perfect staff, and count zero competitors. And thus, unfortunately, being defamed on the Internet is an occupational hazard.I recommend MedicalJustice without reservation to any medical practice, since nearly all patients will google you before calling for an appointment. Everyone at MedicalJustrice from our advisor Shannon, to the CEO, Dr Jeff Segal, is knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely glad to help physician practices like ours. I am grateful for all they have done to help our "mom and pop shop" thrive, and navigate unchartered waters on the internet. MedicalJustice has been outstanding for our practice in these situations :1)Reputation management. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery recommended MedicalJustice to all members in 2009, and after we got on-board, we were surprised to see more than a few negative internet reviews and comments about our practice. Frankly, I do not have the time nor desire to actively surveil the internet about our practice, but someone NEEDS to. If you don't read it, someone googling your practice will.2) Dealing with negative reviews in a safe and HiPAA compliant fashion. Some internet "specialists" recommend ignoring bad reviews, but for us, that philosophy is not cool. 12% of patients who request rhinoplasty have BDD, and as of August2018, there is no reliable method for ruling this out preoperatively. The small minority of unhappy postoperative patients may post on multiple sites, and have the longest and most painful words. MedicalJustice has helped us A LOT in this arena.3) Dealing with internet defamation.4) How to manage the disgruntled patient, and more importantly, the "difficult" scenario where you don't know what to do, and it's not malpractice.5) How to manage patients threatening to harm themselves or others.6) How to manage patients demanding a refund.7) Advice with patients threatening to sue.8) Advice with copyright infringement.9) Obtaining positive reviews from our patients with eMerit.If any physicians wish to reach out to us for any questions, it would be our pleasure. Thank you. Dr Joseph
Eric M. Joseph, M.D.
Eric M. Joseph, M.D.
19:17 09 Mar 19
Great doctor.My neck pain is gone. The doctor explained everything in detail. He was patient and respectful.
Sushil Basra
Sushil Basra
01:57 31 Jan 19
No medical professional should be without this service! I have been a long time member and will never give up my membership. I have never had such clear and concise solutions to common issues, education regarding what I need to do and how to be best prepared for common issues that arise. Whenever I have had a question, I get immediate responses that are clear, concise and of great value! Honestly - the first time you run into a difficult situation is not the time to realize you SHOULD HAVE had this service. You need to be aware, and appropriate- this service is absolutely the best resource you could want for you to meet your obligations, as well as be prepared for common issues. Not only has Dr Segal experienced both sides of many of these issues- he is brilliant, and condenses issues down - allowing you options that allow for the smoothest possible outcome for all involved. I honestly could not recommend it more!CR MD
Celia R
Celia R
18:35 12 Nov 18
A must-have for every physician. Their expertise in medical malpractice defense, and internet reputation management, is unparalleled.
Armond Levy
Armond Levy
01:27 07 Oct 18
HIPAA is complicated and always changing. That is why I recommend Medical Justice to all my clients. They are knowledgeable and trustworthy.
Jen Longtin
Jen Longtin
22:58 29 Sep 18
Impeccable service and reputation from the CEO on down. Helped me grow my practice by vastly improving the quality of my online presence. In addition, I am now insulated from the occasional anonymous and damaging online reviews. I see many additional new patients who have “googled” me and have read my numerous outstanding reviews. In addition they have helped protect me from frivolous law suits while readily providing expert legal advice. In this day and age, in my opinion, every physician needs Medical Justice standing behind them. Thank you, Medical Justice!
David K
David K
05:57 16 Sep 18
I have partnered with their organization while working in two separate companies and they have continued to provide outstanding support, superior service and communication and remain ever available. I would not practice medicine without their support.
Christina A
Christina A
15:16 13 Sep 18
We have been working with Medical Justice and Emerit for years. I would highly recommend them. They have been very responsive to all of our needs in our practice. They have guided us on how to get our patients to share their experiences online Dr. Segal has given us honest advice over the years and he has never steered us wrong. Highly, highly recommend Medical Justice!
Angela Parker
Angela Parker
20:25 12 Sep 18
Medical Justice is the real deal. They are professional, knowledgeable, timely, and their rates are beyond reasonable. Put all of that together and they have become an invaluable asset to our practice.
Jackie Foster
Jackie Foster
17:38 06 Sep 18
Our surgical practice joined Medical Justice and eMerit many years ago and it has been an invaluable resource and support. Jeff Segal, the founder, is a surgeon and an attorney who understands the challenges that physicians face today. They have been our advisors, mentors and dispensers of wisdom for any and every issue that we presented to them as well as in growing our practice. I can't imagine running our practice without them all of these years.
Bonnie Pontell
Bonnie Pontell
14:48 06 Sep 18
EXTREMELY beneficial. The ratings have done more for my Google search rankings than my website. Worth every penny. It is 2018--get on board with your online presence!
Scott Phillips
Scott Phillips
14:13 06 Sep 18
I have been a client of Medical Justice for many years. They provide a fantastic opportunity for Healthcare providers to defend against frivolous claims and to control their reviews using the eMerit platform.The service and the reviews have been extremely valuable to my practice, my social media presence and ratings as well as protection against some false claims over the years.They are always available, responsive and timely in their assistance. Dr. Segal offers a wealth of resources, insight and legal advice due to his vast experience in this venue.I highly recommend this service for anyone with a medical or dental practice.
Semira Bayati
Semira Bayati
16:27 05 Sep 18
Dental Justice has helped us manage challenging patients who are impossible to please. Let them show you that there is a better way than being frustrated.
Mitchel Friedman
Mitchel Friedman
14:53 04 Sep 18
Worked with Dr. Jeff Segal and his team for many years, I absolutely trust them when it comes to protecting our practice and team. I give my highest recommendation and I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful approach as leaders in the industry ( :
Rich Castellano
Rich Castellano
03:40 04 Sep 18
I have been a member since its' inception and can recommend the company without any reservations whatsoever. I benefited from their online review services, their involvent in preventing a frivilous malpractice threat, and their pro-active legal seminars. Thank you Dr. Segal for all your efforts.
Michael Prater
Michael Prater
21:55 02 Sep 18
It only took one reading for me to become a big fan of Leonard Berlin's.Who was Leonard Berlin?He's the radiologist who countersued a plaintiff who tried to make a fast buck by frivolously suing him. When I finally met him, I told him that I'd been following what he was doing.Berlin was the first MD I knew who fought back. When I read about Medical Justice, it was clear to me that in case I got sued frivolously, I, too, would be able to counterpunch.Raised by a pair of criminal lawyers in New Orleans (yes, really), I pretty much had a (legalistic) chip on my shoulder from childhood. Medical Justice welded it there. Instead of being a 98-pound weakling in the face of a pseudo-legal assault, it made me a Charles Atlas kinda guy.No fear after joining up. I was surprised at how reasonable the rates are.
Joseph Horton
Joseph Horton
19:00 02 Sep 18
I have used Dental Justice for the past several years and have always been happy with their service. They are professional and timely. Dr Segal has been great with his knowledge, advice, services and timely responses. I would highly recommend them to anyone in the dental or medical profession.
Shane Claiborne
Shane Claiborne
14:28 31 Aug 18
I have been using E Merit and Medical Justice’s services for the last nine years. I have found their helpful feedback to be of tremendous value to me and to my practice. I am extremely grateful to Jeff Segal and his entire team for their thoughtful and professional help. You will not be sorry if you give them a chance. I don’t know anyone who has not found them immensely helpful or who has stop using them once they have engaged their services.
Joseph Stern
Joseph Stern
01:43 30 Aug 18
js_loader
A reason to utilize a patient dismissal letter.

Dismissing a patient is challenging. Sometimes arranging a graceful exit is best for both you and your patient. This article discusses general tips.  Every case is different. When you do dismiss a patient, individualization is critical. Among other things, you must ensure continuity of care. If you are wondering when you can refuse to treat a patient, or terminate the doctor-patient relationship, schedule a free consultation with our Founder and CEO, Jeff Segal, MD, JD. Medical Justice has helped thousands of doctors address patient conflicts and a bevy of other medico-legal obstacles. We are ready to help.

With that said, onto the article.

Physicians dismiss patients for numerous reasons. The circumstances are never identical, nor are they always undesirable. Often the decision is mutual. As the patient’s care evolves, sometimes the physician responsible for his treatment must change. These “exchanges” are natural and sometimes necessary to drive a patient’s recovery. It’s worth noting patients can dismiss physicians, too.

Other times a patient is dismissed because he becomes a professional hazard. He doesn’t pay his bills. He abuses your staff. His presence creates distractions, which jeopardize the care of other patients.  

Reasons notwithstanding, when you need to dismiss a patient, the act is memorialized in a patient dismissal letter. These letters are chameleons. Their language must change to suit your patient’s circumstances. The art of writing the “bullet-proof” patient dismissal letter is one many a physician would love to master. Written correctly, these letters insulate you against potential charges of malpractice and patient abandonment.  

Let it be said – not all paper shields are useless. 

At Medical Justice, we’ve co-authored hundreds of patient dismissal letters with our clients. The objective of these letters is simple: Help our clients (and indirectly, their patients) formally end the doctor-patient relationship. This allows our clients to move on with their lives without living under the threat of a rogue abandonment charge or a meritless malpractice claim. Conversely, they free the patient to pursue care elsewhere.  

The purpose of this article is to teach doctors how to distinguish a competent patient dismissal letter from an incompetent one. Understanding the difference is important. If you get this wrong, the consequences will be steep. Patient abandonment can be career altering. Dismissal letters exist in part to foreclose such charges.

We’ll begin by defining the obstacle we are attempting to avoid. What is patient abandonment? Here’s our definition…

Patient abandonment occurs when a doctor cuts off the physician-patient relationship while the patient actively needs care and does so without adequate notice to allow the patient to reasonably obtain care elsewhere.

Keep in mind the decision to separate patient from doctor does not need to be mutual. It can be unilateral on your part, even if the patient objects. But medical care is a unique type of interaction because it can literally be a matter of life and death – so the dismissal letter must account for this fact. If the decision to separate is unilateral, your relationship with your patient may (or may not) be amicable. Which brings us to our next point… 

What if my patient is hostile? What if he’s suing meDo I still have to treat him? 

Our answer is a hard but sympathetic: “Yes. Yes, you do.” You must remember: the doctor-patient relationship only ends when one entity discharges the other. Thus, the necessity of the patient dismissal letter. Unless the patient has previously provided you with a notice of termination of his own making, you have an affirmative duty to memorialize the termination of the relationship. 

Here’s a list of circumstances that, despite their frustrating nature, do not dissolve the patient-physician relationship…

+ If the patient has an outstanding bill, you must treat him.

+ If the patient is suing you, you must treat him. 

+ If he has not contacted the office for a long period of time, you must treat him.

+ If he behaves in a non-compliant manner, you must treat him.

+ If he leaves the hospital against medical advice (AMA), you must treat him. 

+ If the patient changes insurance coverage to an entity you do not accept, you must treat him.

+ If the patient’s managed care plan “deselects” you, you must treat him. 

Until you dismiss him (or until he dismisses you), you are married to him. That said – if your patient has an outstanding bill, intends to sue you, or regularly mistreats you or your staff, you should consider terminating your relationship with him ASAP. A companion piece that addresses these red flags – and several others – is available for download at the end of this article.  

Onto the heart of the piece: Distinguishing competent and incompetent dismissal letters. We’ll demonstrate by presenting templates we believe represent examples of competent patient dismissal letters. These “competent” examples will be followed by a list of characteristics that we associate with incompetent patient dismissal letters. We’ll conclude the piece by examining our templates and identifying how each avoids falling into the five traps described. 

The first item to address: Are you dismissing your patient? Or is your patient dismissing you?  

In the event your patient instigates the switch, he’s likely conversed with you about it. If you have received a signed letter (or an unambiguous message – email) from him affirming his decision to seek care elsewhere, rely on it.  

If you have received no documentation from the patient, don’t wait for him to act. Provide the patient with a dismissal letter. Memorialize your previous discussion. Medical Justice provides members of our organization with bullet-proof templates. If you are considering dismissing a difficult patient, schedule a free consultation with our Founder and CEO, Dr. Jeff Segal – a neurosurgeon and attorney.

This letter serves two purposes. It is a record of past events and demonstrates your willingness to cooperate with your patient. You are facilitating a smooth transition. You are not standing on the other side of the proverbial door, back braced, determined to repel the patient at all costs.  

If the roles are reversed and you are dismissing the patient, we can provide a suitable template.

The reason for termination is generally not stated. This is by design – we’ll explain why this matters shortly. The letter is careful to provide space for the physician to define the official date of termination. Do not make the date the patient receives the letter the starting line – transit is unpredictable. Instead, specify one week from the date of the letter and use that as the basis for any time calculations. 

Another point to address is the period of transitional coverage. Most states require physicians remain available to dispense emergency care for a “reasonable period of time.” This is typically 30 days. However, sometimes this “floor” is insufficient. If your patient lives in a rural area or is in the middle of a complex treatment, you must account for those details. Make sure you allot plenty of time to facilitate a complete transition. You can’t leave the patient stranded.

Dismissing a patient is challenging. Sometimes arranging a graceful exit is best for both you and your patient. This article discusses general tips.  Every case is different. When you do dismiss a patient, individualization is critical. Among other things, you must ensure continuity of care. If you are wondering when you can refuse to treat a patient, or terminate doctor-patient relationship, schedule a free consultation with our Founder and CEO, Jeff Segal, MD, JD. Medical Justice has helped thousands of doctors address patient conflicts and a bevy of other medico-legal obstacles. We are ready to help. For further reading, we suggest this article’s sibling piece: When Can You Refuse to Treat a Patient?

 

We’ll now take a step away from the templates and review five symptoms of a “bad” patient dismissal letter. You can probably guess a few of them by examining the qualities described above and turning those qualities upside down. 

A bad patient dismissal letter is excessively detailed.

When dismissing a patient, less is more. A patient dismissed under friendly skies usually does not require a verbose explanation. Presumably both parties understand why the relationship is ending. There are no surprises. 

When the patient is being dismissed for “bad behavior,” the physician may feel obligated to explain his decision – both to inform the patient and to cover his back. This can backfire. We typically advise against including the reason for termination. If the relationship has soured, the patient knows why the termination is taking place. Spelling it out for him will only make you appear hostile. And perceived hostility is kindling in the hands of unscrupulous malpractice attorneys. You can’t be certain who will see the letter after you send it. Sanitize your tone. Pertinent information only. 

A bad patient dismissal letter does not consider a patient’s environment. 

Your patient may be hell in human skin, but ihe has no other treatment options available to him, you cannot carelessly dismiss him. Physicians practicing in remote communities need to be particularly careful. Consider this example: You are the only oncologist in a small community and your patient has received 1 of 3 planned treatments for chemotherapy. If you dismiss this patient, that dismissal letter could be a death sentence. If you must terminate your relationship with him, make sure the transfer of care is complete before attempting to move forward.  

A bad patient dismissal letter neglects to mention medical records. 

Your patient is always entitled to receive a copy of his medical records. Even if the patient has an outstanding bill, never hold medical records hostage. A competent patient dismissal letter informs the patient that he has access to these materials. A better patient dismissal letter uses simple instructions to tell the patient what he must do to retrieve them.  

A bad patient dismissal letter does not account for emergency care. 

After formally dismissing the patient, you must be available to provide him with urgent or emergent care for a reasonable period of time – or until that patient finds a new doctor, whichever comes first. As we stated previously, this period usually encompasses 30 days. If your patient’s circumstances require more time, you must account for it.  

A bad patient dismissal letter is poorly timed. 

Think twice before dismissing a patient immediately after concluding an operation. An unexpected or oddly timed dismissal may signal to the patient something is expected to go awry. Whether this is true is irrelevant – your patient’s perceptions will determine how he reacts. Many abandonment charges are fueled by feelings of fear. In the unlikely event something does go wrong, treating the complication will be easier if the patient has remained in your care. If circumstances require you dismiss the patient post-op, take the initiative. Find the patient another doctor to assume care and don’t distance yourself from him until the transfer is documented.  

In closing, the five traps we’ve identified are bound by a common thread: They all disregard an important aspect of the patient’s care or present information that could be leveraged against the physician in a malpractice case. Summarized, a competent patient dismissal letter… 

+ Includes only necessary information… 

+ Does not dismiss a patient in the middle of a treatment plan… 

+ Affirms that medical records will remain available…

+ Affirms the physician will remain available for a period to dispense emergency care and clearly states how long this period will last… 

+ Allows sufficient time to complete the transfer of care…

If this article conveys only a few essential truths, we hope this is one of them: dismissing a patient correctly is a delicate process. Most physicians would rather “stick it out” than dismiss potential hazards earlier than necessary. The labor required to end the patient-physician relationship is substantial.

When the doctor-patient relationship sours, it is sometimes best to terminate care and guide the patient towards a different doctor. The transfer of care is always tricky – do it wrong, and you may face an abandonment charge.

Did you know? Members of Medical Justice don’t need to worry about this scenario – our DISAPPEAR program ensures that if a doctor and a patient must part, the separation is complete, documented, and compliant.

There are times when it really is best to divorce yourself from your patient and move on. Every practice terminates a doctor-patient relationship at some point. This article discusses general tips. But each situation is different and details matter. A lot. No worries. Let our experts guide you through YOUR situation. Confidentially. No obligation. Ready when you are. Request a consultation below. And for further reading, we suggest this article’s sibling piece: When Can You Refuse to Treat a Patient?

We are a group of physicians that have been working with the Medical Justice eMerit team for the past 9 years. They have helped us obtain many more reviews from our patients by streamlining the process and making it much more convenient for our patients. They have also helped us in the process of flagging and getting fictitious reviews removed. Throughout our experience with them, they have been highly effective, honest, timely, talented and professional. If you are looking for a service to help manage your reviews, we highly recommend them.
Elliott23232323
Elliott23232323
14:44 17 Jan 24
The competence and responsiveness of the Medical Justice / eMerit team is remarkable. We have been super impressed with Robin and Josh, and their entire team. We ran a "test" with them and we've been more than happy to give them more business. They are now our go-to group. Thanks again, Team Medical Justice!
Christopher Scully
Christopher Scully
13:54 15 Dec 23
I have been a client for many years and have appreciated Medical Justice's expertise and numerous perks including internet defamation prevention. The team was readily responsive to my needs and helped to remove an unwarranted negative online post. It's difficult enough to practice medicine, much less maintain one's professional online reputation. I highly recommend Medical Justice for any medical professional.
Sohail Delfani, MD
Sohail Delfani, MD
17:05 25 Oct 23
Very enjoyable experience
Brittan Willimon
Brittan Willimon
21:13 09 Jan 23
Totally worth it! I had an issue with a very large insurance company threatening to remove me from their network. Contacted Medical Justice right away. Within lass then a week, Dr. Segal had crafted a magnificent 60-page appeal! Insurance company kept me in network, which saved me a lot of hassle and headache. Worth every penny!
Barbara Wood
Barbara Wood
18:01 13 Dec 22
I have used emerit for 10 years and have been extremely pleased with their service. highly recommend to all medical professionals especially plastic surgeons. very responsive CEO and staff. thanks!!!
Neil Zemmel
Neil Zemmel
13:56 13 Apr 22
When hiring someone professionally fortheir advice, the most important aspectfor me is their time that they give me todiscuss what I need to get the job done.Dr. Segal was always available whenever Ineeded to speak. He is extremelyknowledgeable, patient and kind. He hasthe unique perspective of the legalprofession from a doctors point of view.This is priceless in terms of understandinga Doctor's concerns.
Endodontic Group
Endodontic Group
00:38 31 Jan 22
I would say Medical-Dental Justice is a Level I Trauma Center for the legal matters of health practitioners. Your matters are handled STAT and in a professional and assuring manner. In a legal sense, they set you up with tools for preventive care, assist when there is an injury and handle the legal traumas. Rest assured that the legal injury will be minimized or they will rehab the situation a bring you back to legal health. No physician or dentist should be without this service...period.
Edward Kirsh
Edward Kirsh
21:17 30 Jan 22
I highly recommend Dr. Segal for all doctors who would like to have a bullet proof practice and avoid unnecessary litigation and threat by patients. He is always available and punctuate with time. We have a very busy practice in northern California and Dr. Segal has been a unbelievable asset and success to run it smoothly. You won't regret his service.
Sani Aesthetics, M.D.
Sani Aesthetics, M.D.
01:17 28 Jan 22
Medical Justice is always responsive and gets to solutions. We especially appreciate Josh P and his relentless drive to help us satisfy our customers. Their knowledge of the digital landscape brings us closer to prospective patients.
What's NEXT
What's NEXT
15:06 16 Nov 21
Jeff and his colleague Josh were both very prompt and knowledgeable in helping me resolve an issue with Instagram. Recommended to any healthcare provider needing help online with social media.
Spencer Hawkins
Spencer Hawkins
16:37 12 Sep 21
Dr. Jeffrey Segal and Medical Justice are amazing! They helped me deal with a frivolous and false board complaint to my license quickly and professionally. I was impressed with the amount of attention and copious amounts of time they committed to resolving my case. Dr. Segal also helped greatly in advising me how to protect my practice and avoid similar issues moving forward. I'm fortunate to have found their services! While I hope to not have to deal with more frivolous complaints in the future, I feel better knowing that Dr Segal and Medical Justice are there to help me navigate through what may come.
Lisa Wagner
Lisa Wagner
18:06 16 Aug 21
Dr. Jeff Segal is great at what he does! As a physician and lawyer he understands clearly the difficulty of practicing in this day and age. Having both backgrounds is his biggest strength in the medico-legal arena. He gives sound logical advice and is very responsive. I am glad that I trusted him with my issue which he solved by doing background research into the issue from other specialists. He approached the problem like a physician in a very methodical and detail -oriented way. I'm so happy to have found him! I highly recommend!!!
Nicole Basa MD
Nicole Basa MD
02:14 10 Aug 21
Medical Justice is the GO TOO for any medical provider.
Curt Litton
Curt Litton
00:35 29 Jul 21
Medical Justice exceeded my expectations on delivery of professional services. Top notch professionals, only the Best, and advisors on every medico-legal area of health care, especially Dentistry, with the Great, Vince Monticello, DDS, MBA, JD, on-board. By far a great investment. I enjoy doing business with Jeff and his Outstanding Team!
Rob Eye
Rob Eye
16:16 27 Jul 21
I’ve now been a subscriber and client of medical justice for over a year. Dr. and attorney Jeff Segal has been helpful on several occasions. He has guided me through both potential patient issues as well as recent HR pandemic concerns. He along with the Medical Justice team have given me reassuring legal advice that allows me to proceed with confidence through these difficult times. This is one of my best investments in business and personally.
Walter Tom
Walter Tom
16:06 25 Jul 21
I cannot give enough thanks for Medical Justice’s existence! It is a company that fills such a highly needed niche’ in medicine – especially aesthetic medicine. And it was founded and continues to be led by a visionary, Dr. Jeff Segal. I admire his drive and envy his intelligence. He first completes a rigorous Neurosurgery Residency. That by itself deserves tremendous kudos from anyone in the medical universe. Yet, he eventually goes back to obtain his JD. Yet what he has done in blending those two degrees into an amazing entity, Medical Justice, is nothing short of phenomenal.I was an early adopter of Medical Justice, and all that it provided for me as a surgeon and a business owner, as I am in my 12th year (this year being 2021) of being a member of Medical Justice. Throughout those twelve years, I have leaned on their team in helping maintain a fair and hard-earned online reputation when unfairly attacked. Also, Dr. Segal has always been personally involved with assisting me in resolving conflicts with difficult and unreasonable patients. He has always been only a phone call away, and prompt with his response.What I have especially appreciated is in my discussions resolving these occasional issues with patients over many years, Jeff seems to possess a third therapist certification as a compassionate, empathetic peer that understands my hurt and frustration. He has a way through the phone to put his arm around me, making me feel he sympathizes with my hurt and frustration, and together we will get through whatever issue, and the sun will rise in the morning. He then produces what he promises, as he has threaded the needle to resolution more than once for me. He feels like the big brother I never had that is there for you with honest, realistic guidance to amicable conclusions, when called upon.I just hope I retire before him. I can’t image practicing my specialty without someone like him, as well as his amazing team that he has gathered, that has and continues to have my back. - Dr. Burke Robinson, Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery
Burke Robinson
Burke Robinson
19:17 14 Jul 21
I cannot recommend a more professional or effective and caring team to help in legal matters which are delicate and require a high level of care. Dr. Segal is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and efficient attorneys that I have had that pleasure of working with. He was always available and attentive and demonstrated genuine concern and compassion towards making sure that all matters were handled with the highest level of efficacy. I highly recommend Dr. Segal and his team to any physician or practice, they will not disappoint!
Kriti Mohan
Kriti Mohan
02:15 15 Mar 21
Dr. Segal is kind, professional, and a complete genius! I am so glad to have found him! I would recommend him hands down for anyone needing legal assistance!
Samantha Britt
Samantha Britt
19:57 28 Jan 21
I am an oculofacial plastic surgeon who has been a member of Medical Justice for well over 10 years. It is a pleasure for me to be able to recommend their services to others.We have utilized the Medical Justice consent forms for operative patients throughout this time. It gives me peace of mind to know that any expert witnesses who may be called to give testimony against me are from my specialty. It also gives notice to any potential plaintiff firms that I have not only my malpractice carrier but also Medical Justice working for me should any claims arise, and puts them on notice that any frivolous claims can be in turn be litigated by me against them and the plaintiff.Does this translate to less claims or better results if claims are brought? I can only say that in 30 years of practice I have had a handful of patients request records be sent to plaintiff attorneys, and none have become suits.I can and have offered my highest recommendation for this firm and their services. Their services and client support are outstanding, and are especially beneficial when that letter for your records comes in. To have them on your side is a comfort we can all use.
Alan Brackup
Alan Brackup
15:01 07 Dec 20
The Medical Justice team have a wealth of knowledge and experience in this space. I highly recommend them to medical professionals and practices of any size. They take a highly responsive, professional, practical and no nonsense approach which has proven to be highly effective.
GenXovite Pro
GenXovite Pro
15:42 23 Nov 20
As a physician, reputation is everything. This is why I’ve trusted Emerit for years! Their unmatched ability to handle my clinic’s online reputation has helped us earn more credibility therefor increasing our patient base. They also create custom surveys for patients along with weekly reports so we can provide better treatment. These little things give us the ability to address certain areas of the practice and fix them immediately. I would highly recommend that healthcare providers to at least consider Emerit when considering an online reputation partner. I know I’m glad we did … Robert Odell, MD, PhD, Neuropathy & Pain Centers of Las Vegas
Robert Odell
Robert Odell
17:06 13 Nov 20
I recommend Medical Justice and its founder Dr. Jeff Segal with great enthusiasm. As medicine evolves the private practitioner has become increasingly more isolated. I signed up with Medical Justice so that I would have a sound legal back up for clinical business decision making. My private consultation with Dr. Siegel, neurosurgeon and attorney was insightful. His team, medical justice has already supplied us with appropriate patient forms to help me to continue practicing medicine with confidence. They have already initiated our web presence reviewing with recommendations.Dr. Segal was also readily available for a specific case consultation, and I appreciate his counsel and direction. The peace of mind and collegiality is well worth the investment in Medical Justice.
Walter Tom (Dr Walter Tom)
Walter Tom (Dr Walter Tom)
18:56 05 Nov 20
Have had the help from Medical Justice for about a year now. They are very responsive and always available to answer questions and help with any practice issues I may have. The most satisfying aspect of their assistance is in obtaining and posting patient reviews on various sites. A big help in that
Jonathan Lebowitz
Jonathan Lebowitz
00:50 03 Nov 20
In this era of digital feedback and punishment through fraudulent reviews. I wouldn't leave home without them!!
David Pincus
David Pincus
15:15 02 Nov 20
After a complete nightmare of a frivolous suit in 2002, aided and abetted by the sheer avarice of a competing surgeon right across the street (stunningly, a $2.1 million award over a pea-sized suture granuloma; when it went to the state medical board they dismissed the case as “groundless”), I was advised to join Medical Justice.What a wonderful team! Everyone there has been immediately available for any questions or concerns that have come up over the years. Just having Medical Justice’s cover letter stating that one’s a member will be enough to stop a frivolous threat dead in its tracks — and that alone makes the eminently reasonable annual fee worthwhile many times over.Knowing that Medical Justice “has my back”, and knowing that because of these fabulous people, the worst and most profoundly mind-bending experience of my life would never be allowed to happen again has given me the peace of mind to continue and even enjoy and relish my career over these many years.I can’t say enough about Dr. Jeff Segal, Mike Odden, Wendy Cates and the rest of this amazing team! Joining Medical Justice absolutely will be one of the best decisions of your career. How about 10 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Holly Barbour
Holly Barbour
18:39 05 Mar 20
We have been MedicalJustice members for over nine years, and this is a service that has been priceless for us, and our facial plastic surgical practice. Ninety percent of our new patients cite the Internet as their source of referral, so for us, our internet reputation is priceless. Plus my kids see what's on the internet about our practice. MedicalJustice scours the internet for any online posts about your practice, good and bad. Even if you are able to do things exceedingly well, it is unlikely that you will be able to deliver impeccable care with exemplary bedside manner 100% of the time, have the perfect staff, and count zero competitors. And thus, unfortunately, being defamed on the Internet is an occupational hazard.I recommend MedicalJustice without reservation to any medical practice, since nearly all patients will google you before calling for an appointment. Everyone at MedicalJustrice from our advisor Shannon, to the CEO, Dr Jeff Segal, is knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely glad to help physician practices like ours. I am grateful for all they have done to help our "mom and pop shop" thrive, and navigate unchartered waters on the internet. MedicalJustice has been outstanding for our practice in these situations :1)Reputation management. The American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery recommended MedicalJustice to all members in 2009, and after we got on-board, we were surprised to see more than a few negative internet reviews and comments about our practice. Frankly, I do not have the time nor desire to actively surveil the internet about our practice, but someone NEEDS to. If you don't read it, someone googling your practice will.2) Dealing with negative reviews in a safe and HiPAA compliant fashion. Some internet "specialists" recommend ignoring bad reviews, but for us, that philosophy is not cool. 12% of patients who request rhinoplasty have BDD, and as of August2018, there is no reliable method for ruling this out preoperatively. The small minority of unhappy postoperative patients may post on multiple sites, and have the longest and most painful words. MedicalJustice has helped us A LOT in this arena.3) Dealing with internet defamation.4) How to manage the disgruntled patient, and more importantly, the "difficult" scenario where you don't know what to do, and it's not malpractice.5) How to manage patients threatening to harm themselves or others.6) How to manage patients demanding a refund.7) Advice with patients threatening to sue.8) Advice with copyright infringement.9) Obtaining positive reviews from our patients with eMerit.If any physicians wish to reach out to us for any questions, it would be our pleasure. Thank you. Dr Joseph
Eric M. Joseph, M.D.
Eric M. Joseph, M.D.
19:17 09 Mar 19
Great doctor.My neck pain is gone. The doctor explained everything in detail. He was patient and respectful.
Sushil Basra
Sushil Basra
01:57 31 Jan 19
No medical professional should be without this service! I have been a long time member and will never give up my membership. I have never had such clear and concise solutions to common issues, education regarding what I need to do and how to be best prepared for common issues that arise. Whenever I have had a question, I get immediate responses that are clear, concise and of great value! Honestly - the first time you run into a difficult situation is not the time to realize you SHOULD HAVE had this service. You need to be aware, and appropriate- this service is absolutely the best resource you could want for you to meet your obligations, as well as be prepared for common issues. Not only has Dr Segal experienced both sides of many of these issues- he is brilliant, and condenses issues down - allowing you options that allow for the smoothest possible outcome for all involved. I honestly could not recommend it more!CR MD
Celia R
Celia R
18:35 12 Nov 18
A must-have for every physician. Their expertise in medical malpractice defense, and internet reputation management, is unparalleled.
Armond Levy
Armond Levy
01:27 07 Oct 18
HIPAA is complicated and always changing. That is why I recommend Medical Justice to all my clients. They are knowledgeable and trustworthy.
Jen Longtin
Jen Longtin
22:58 29 Sep 18
Impeccable service and reputation from the CEO on down. Helped me grow my practice by vastly improving the quality of my online presence. In addition, I am now insulated from the occasional anonymous and damaging online reviews. I see many additional new patients who have “googled” me and have read my numerous outstanding reviews. In addition they have helped protect me from frivolous law suits while readily providing expert legal advice. In this day and age, in my opinion, every physician needs Medical Justice standing behind them. Thank you, Medical Justice!
David K
David K
05:57 16 Sep 18
I have partnered with their organization while working in two separate companies and they have continued to provide outstanding support, superior service and communication and remain ever available. I would not practice medicine without their support.
Christina A
Christina A
15:16 13 Sep 18
We have been working with Medical Justice and Emerit for years. I would highly recommend them. They have been very responsive to all of our needs in our practice. They have guided us on how to get our patients to share their experiences online Dr. Segal has given us honest advice over the years and he has never steered us wrong. Highly, highly recommend Medical Justice!
Angela Parker
Angela Parker
20:25 12 Sep 18
Medical Justice is the real deal. They are professional, knowledgeable, timely, and their rates are beyond reasonable. Put all of that together and they have become an invaluable asset to our practice.
Jackie Foster
Jackie Foster
17:38 06 Sep 18
Our surgical practice joined Medical Justice and eMerit many years ago and it has been an invaluable resource and support. Jeff Segal, the founder, is a surgeon and an attorney who understands the challenges that physicians face today. They have been our advisors, mentors and dispensers of wisdom for any and every issue that we presented to them as well as in growing our practice. I can't imagine running our practice without them all of these years.
Bonnie Pontell
Bonnie Pontell
14:48 06 Sep 18
EXTREMELY beneficial. The ratings have done more for my Google search rankings than my website. Worth every penny. It is 2018--get on board with your online presence!
Scott Phillips
Scott Phillips
14:13 06 Sep 18
I have been a client of Medical Justice for many years. They provide a fantastic opportunity for Healthcare providers to defend against frivolous claims and to control their reviews using the eMerit platform.The service and the reviews have been extremely valuable to my practice, my social media presence and ratings as well as protection against some false claims over the years.They are always available, responsive and timely in their assistance. Dr. Segal offers a wealth of resources, insight and legal advice due to his vast experience in this venue.I highly recommend this service for anyone with a medical or dental practice.
Semira Bayati
Semira Bayati
16:27 05 Sep 18
Dental Justice has helped us manage challenging patients who are impossible to please. Let them show you that there is a better way than being frustrated.
Mitchel Friedman
Mitchel Friedman
14:53 04 Sep 18
Worked with Dr. Jeff Segal and his team for many years, I absolutely trust them when it comes to protecting our practice and team. I give my highest recommendation and I sincerely appreciate your thoughtful approach as leaders in the industry ( :
Rich Castellano
Rich Castellano
03:40 04 Sep 18
I have been a member since its' inception and can recommend the company without any reservations whatsoever. I benefited from their online review services, their involvent in preventing a frivilous malpractice threat, and their pro-active legal seminars. Thank you Dr. Segal for all your efforts.
Michael Prater
Michael Prater
21:55 02 Sep 18
It only took one reading for me to become a big fan of Leonard Berlin's.Who was Leonard Berlin?He's the radiologist who countersued a plaintiff who tried to make a fast buck by frivolously suing him. When I finally met him, I told him that I'd been following what he was doing.Berlin was the first MD I knew who fought back. When I read about Medical Justice, it was clear to me that in case I got sued frivolously, I, too, would be able to counterpunch.Raised by a pair of criminal lawyers in New Orleans (yes, really), I pretty much had a (legalistic) chip on my shoulder from childhood. Medical Justice welded it there. Instead of being a 98-pound weakling in the face of a pseudo-legal assault, it made me a Charles Atlas kinda guy.No fear after joining up. I was surprised at how reasonable the rates are.
Joseph Horton
Joseph Horton
19:00 02 Sep 18
I have used Dental Justice for the past several years and have always been happy with their service. They are professional and timely. Dr Segal has been great with his knowledge, advice, services and timely responses. I would highly recommend them to anyone in the dental or medical profession.
Shane Claiborne
Shane Claiborne
14:28 31 Aug 18
I have been using E Merit and Medical Justice’s services for the last nine years. I have found their helpful feedback to be of tremendous value to me and to my practice. I am extremely grateful to Jeff Segal and his entire team for their thoughtful and professional help. You will not be sorry if you give them a chance. I don’t know anyone who has not found them immensely helpful or who has stop using them once they have engaged their services.
Joseph Stern
Joseph Stern
01:43 30 Aug 18
js_loader

Learn how Medical Justice can protect you from medico-legal mayhem… 

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. 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.