Bogus Defensive Medicine
Doctor's really
have done a brain washing flim flam on this one. Let me
start by stating unequivocally that unnecessary tests are by
definition not mal-practice, if not performed. In
fact charging for unnecessary tests is mal-practice. When my
doctor charges me for a pregnancy test because my stomach
hurts or checks my wife for prostate cancer than charges
his customary fortune, exactly who gets the benefit for
this? Follow the buck - lawyers don't get paid for
these bogus tests, but it's easy and very convenient to
blame them for this fiasco.
Mal-practice claims are without doubt the most difficult to
pursue. I must turn down 10 or more for every one I take.
Mal-practice occurs all the time but most cases are not big
enough to justify the investment of time and money by the
attorney. The cases you hear about, that bring a fortune,
typically involve the most grossly negligent acts; like
cutting off the wrong leg. Can you imagine the medical cost
involved when they cut off the one good leg you have left.
It's hard to feel sorry for the doctor but it's convenient
for the doctor to blame the lawyer who pursued the case -
they are a good whipping boy. Half the people involved
in any given case loose and they hate the lawyer who beat
them. Lots of cases - lots of haters.
I would like to
know exactly what test these poor misguided doctors are
performing that aren't necessary, and why they aren't being
pursued for Medicaid or insurance fraud.