What Happens to Your Doctor if You Sue for Malpractice?

Often times, victims of medical malpractice are hesitant to consider a lawsuit, for fear of what will happen to their doctor. It makes sense, after all, these are the people we rely on to keep us healthy and treat us when we are injured. The unfortunate reality is, doctors do make mistakes, and when they do, there may be serious and life altering consequences for their patients.

The only legal remedy available to someone injured through a medical mistake or negligence is to file a medical malpractice lawsuit. It does not necessarily reflect negatively on the doctor, but rather, offers a way for the injured person to receive money to cover all the medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and other related compensation to help deal with the situation and get back to their life.

What Will Happen to My Doctor?

In the great majority of cases, your doctor will not lose his or her license to practice medicine. In fact, he or she will continue to practice medicine during and after the lawsuit, regardless of whether or not they are found liable for the injury. Most people understand that suing a doctor for malpractice is just the legal way of seeking monetary compensation to help cover the expenses and consequences of the injury.

It is only in those rare cases where a doctor is found to have committed a grossly negligent act, or attempted to falsify medical records, that he or she may face a revocation of their medical license.

What is Gross Negligence?

In some rare cases, it may be discovered that the doctor made more than a simple mistake, but made a grievous error far outside of the accepted medical standard. If, through the medical review process, by a group of the doctors peers, he or she is found to have committed such a grievous error and is found to be a danger to other patients, then the medical license may be revoked. These extreme cases are rare, and only the most seriously negligent acts call for revocation of a medical license.

Talk to a Medical Malpractice Lawyer for Advice

Medical malpractice laws are notoriously complex, and it takes a special breed of lawyer to offer advice regarding any particular situation. Most medical malpractice lawyers will offer a free consultation where an injured person or their family can explain the details of their case and get the advice and guidance they need to make their decision.