BIL’s possible hip surgeon being sued for malpractice. Find new doctor?

[Anonymous]

BIL was recommended a surgeon for a possible hip replacement, researched doctor’s education background and reviews. He finally got an appointment to meet the surgeon in January. A family friend mentioned the doctor is being sued for malpractice and showed us the court record from the publicly available court database. MD was given a summons last week and case is “Unassigned.” Should BIL stay with this doctor or start over? No other info is available. about the malpractice suit. He should have surgery in the next few months as he is having a lot of pain and trouble walking, he has done physical therapy.

[Anonymous]

Yes!!!! Find a new doctor. A bad hip surgeon can leave you so messed up. A family member went to a bad one and now in their 50s can hardly walk right. Do not chance it.

[Anonymous]

He hasn’t even met him yet, find someone else!

[Anonymous]

How is this even a question? Yes.

[Anonymous]

What I don’t know is if it is a frivolous lawsuit. Do people just write off doctors if they get sued even if they are found later to not be at fault? This doctor was highly recommended by BIL’s contacts and his own doctor. Do doctors stop recommending another doctor if there’s a hint of malpractice? It seems someone could easily ruin a surgeon’s career with a flimsy claim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I don’t know is if it is a frivolous lawsuit. Do people just write off doctors if they get sued even if they are found later to not be at fault? This doctor was highly recommended by BIL’s contacts and his own doctor. Do doctors stop recommending another doctor if there’s a hint of malpractice? It seems someone could easily ruin a surgeon’s career with a flimsy claim.

They don't stop recommending the doctors they know.

If a malpractice case isn't for a huge quantity of money (this one wouldn't be), then the lack of a quick settlement implies a frivolous case. And I say this as someone who thinks doctors are corrupt and frequently cover up each other's mistakes. I wouldn't find the existence of a pending lawsuit to be disqualifying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I don’t know is if it is a frivolous lawsuit. Do people just write off doctors if they get sued even if they are found later to not be at fault? This doctor was highly recommended by BIL’s contacts and his own doctor. Do doctors stop recommending another doctor if there’s a hint of malpractice? It seems someone could easily ruin a surgeon’s career with a flimsy claim.

Yes I would as this is a major surgery. Most docts I've been to are bad and more need to be stopped.

[Anonymous]

Lots of people with these major surgeries are not happy with the outcome and some sue. Honestly docs can only do so much with what they are presented. If 90 yo grandma with bad osteoporosis falls and breaks a hip surgeons probably aren’t going get her walking again. Most old people who break hips end up dying soon, and sometimes the families are mad and sue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don’t know is if it is a frivolous lawsuit. Do people just write off doctors if they get sued even if they are found later to not be at fault? This doctor was highly recommended by BIL’s contacts and his own doctor. Do doctors stop recommending another doctor if there’s a hint of malpractice? It seems someone could easily ruin a surgeon’s career with a flimsy claim.

Yes I would as this is a major surgery. Most docts I've been to are bad and more need to be stopped.

I wouldn’t trust advice from someone who thinks most doctors are bad.

[Anonymous]

Huge red flag.

[Anonymous]

This physician has probably done thousands of hip surgeries. And there is a single, not even docketed yet case that may be meritless? No, that is not a red flag.

[Anonymous]

My dad worked at a hospital for years. People would sue for malpractice all the time even when it was obviously their fault.

For example - patient is on oxygen. There is no smoking signs in the hospital and all over the patient's hospital room. Family attempts to smuggle in cigarettes for the patient. Hospital staff repeatedly takes cigarettes and lighters, points to no smoking, points to oxygen, explains that it's dangerous. Family succeeds in giving cigarettes and lighter to patient. Patient injures themself. Family sues hospital.

[Anonymous]

If the doc is well-liked and recommended by people you know, that’s what matters.

People sue all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What I don’t know is if it is a frivolous lawsuit. Do people just write off doctors if they get sued even if they are found later to not be at fault? This doctor was highly recommended by BIL’s contacts and his own doctor. Do doctors stop recommending another doctor if there’s a hint of malpractice? It seems someone could easily ruin a surgeon’s career with a flimsy claim.

Find another doctor it’s rarely frivolous

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What I don’t know is if it is a frivolous lawsuit. Do people just write off doctors if they get sued even if they are found later to not be at fault? This doctor was highly recommended by BIL’s contacts and his own doctor. Do doctors stop recommending another doctor if there’s a hint of malpractice? It seems someone could easily ruin a surgeon’s career with a flimsy claim.

Find another doctor it’s rarely frivolous

Disagree. My family is in medicine. It’s frequently frivolous.