One of the most nerve-racking parts of being a medical practitioner is being wrongfully accused of medical malpractice. This is even scarier to occur in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis. Not only could this cost you your reputation or job, but also your time and money.
To prevent the severity of these burdening incidents, acquiring a malpractice insurance in the Philippines ahead of time is recommended. Other things to ensure would be to:
Prepare all relevant documents at hand
Complete and up-to-date documentation of medical records would serve well in speaking up for you in court. It also helps to maintain consistency with all your statements, since any sudden changes would look bad to the jury. Having qualified evidence or witnesses would prevent the worst case scenario of only having your word against the plaintiff, or the person bringing up the legal action.
Pool your source of funds
You must face the reality that specialized cases such as medical malpractice could cost you more money. This is especially if the plaintiff would insist on litigation over mediation as the course of dispute resolution. The latter presents lower costs and more confidential proceedings, in the event that both parties desire to reconcile and preserve their relationship.
Aside from your income, it is recommended to have contingency plans in case you would need more funding. Start adjusting your finances accordingly, and consider if you need help from family, friends, and other connections in advance.
Seek a good medical malpractice attorney
Getting in contact with some of our country’s top lawyers would be great. Otherwise, it is advised to choose someone through referral, with years of experience, and has a good record. This lawyer would be your most important ally, so you will need to trust them. Make time to communicate with your legal representative, even the smaller details, to effectively help in winning your case.
Stay calm and focus on solutions
It would be challenging, but you will have to keep your cool to be physically and mentally sound throughout your litigation. Expect that your journey could have many twists and turns and might take a toll on you and your loved ones. By staying away from distracting environments, you could focus on attesting that your actions were within the accepted standard of care within your specialty.
Being put on the spot for medical negligence is stressful and exhausting, but you have to power through it. Organize everything early on and do not hesitate to ask professionals and loved ones for support. Contact your trusted insurance companies in the Philippines today to keep your current coverage plans in check if any.
