Reactions of Physicians Sued for Malpractice

Abstract

Few events in a physician’s career are as traumatic as a medical malpractice suit.¹ Each year in the United States, the tort system generates nearly one suit for every five physicians overall.² Physicians who are sued for malpractice experience a series of emotional responses that are both predictable and common. These are comparable to the stages of grieving described in literature, but involve additional responses unique to medicine.³