Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Uncovering a Doctor’s Disciplinary History Difficult

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Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Uncovering a Doctor’s Disciplinary History DifficultChoosing the right doctor can be an overwhelming decision for anyone about to put their health on the line, and sometimes even more stressful when you are responsible for the health and care of a family member. Oftentimes, part of a person’s selection criteria is finding out whether a physician has ever been disciplined, or put on probation, and why. Unfortunately, that information is difficult to come by, according to Consumer Reports. And attempts that have been made to make it easier for patients to find out about doctors’ transgressions have been blocked by the American Medical Association and state medical boards.

According to Consumer Reports, California alone has close to 500 doctors that are on probation for behaviors like practicing medicine while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, sexual misconduct with patients, botched surgeries and wrongful death. While these numbers represent California only, the problem is one that takes place in every state. Director of Consumer Reports’ Safe Patients Project reports hat there are thousands of doctors across the country that are practicing while on medical probation.

The findings of Consumer Reports assert that it should not be the responsibility of the patient to look into their physicians’ background. Instead, the doctors should be required to disclose to their patients if they are on probation and provide an explanation.

It is possible to check a doctor’s history by taking advantage of resources such as the Federation of State Medical Board’s website. However, if you do find that some sort of “action” was brought against your physician, there is not often an explanation that includes the details of the “action.” In most cases, you will have to comb through endless technical legal documents, or rely on misleading patient reviews.

Consumer Reports urged the state of California to require doctors to inform patients if they are on probation, but the board rejected the petition, saying it could damage the patient-doctor relationships and place too much burden on the doctors.

Baltimore Medical Malpractice Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Represent Victims Injured by a Doctor’s Mistakes

If a doctor’s medical negligence or inappropriate behavior has resulted in injuries, whether physical or emotional, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Baltimore medical malpractice lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are on your side to ensure that your rights are protected and that the negligent parties are held responsible. For a free consultation, call us today at 800-547-4LAW (4529) or contact us online.

Our offices are located in Baltimore, Columbia and Towson, allowing us to represent families harmed by medical malpractice in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.