Sequence of Events in a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

We tend to overlook the fact that patients do not come to a medical office with the prior intent to sue. They come hoping to be cured. Something occurs during the course of the physician–patient relationship to cause the patient to seek an attorney to “find out why.” This is very often due to the unavailability of the physician to answer questions about a problem. It can also be the occurrence of an unexpected event (anything other than a perfect result). The problem is frequently the “lawsuitcausing physician” and not necessarily the “litigious patient.”