ABSTRACT
There is no end in sight to the frequency with which physicians, nursing professionals and other healthcare providers will become lawsuit targets in our litigious society. While politicians, practitioners, insurance companies and trial attorneys debate the nation’s chronic "malpractice crisis", suits continue to be filed. In addition, once COVID-19 is behind us and the unprecedented public support for health care providers wanes, as it will, it is anticipated that physicians and nurses will become malpractice defendants to a remarkable degree.
National legislative fact-finding committees and investigative bodies, which may be charged with the responsibility of pursuing a solution, likely will never achieve a global remedy. Although curtailed by some states, national legislation has not addressed baseless malpractice suites or grossly excessive monetary verdicts. Another approach exists, however.
Health care providers can impact the existing system and influence the malpractice environments in a tangible, positive and powerful fashion. Although there will be debate over tort reform in order to bring some degree of protection to the malpractice defendant, individual case success, defined from the defendant’s perspective as a "no-cause" trial verdict, can be realized if well-credentialed and experienced health care professionals are willing to assist the malpractice defense bar as expert witnesses. The benefits to the health care community and the individuals who are willing to participate are innumerable and worth considering.
