Comments on: Is it legal to practice medicine without malpractice insurance?

By: Dr.John L

Dr.John L — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:32:59 +0000

Some States require it, but many don't However it would be very foolish and risky not to have it
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By: Jerrie G

Jerrie G — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:58:59 +0000

Grow a brain.
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By: Sean B

Sean B — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:11:59 +0000

Yes, you can practice without it, but you better hope you don't get sued because if you do they can come after your personal assets. Unless there's some major tort reform that takes place, it would be wise at all to practice medicine without MPI.
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By: lordkelvin

lordkelvin — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:40:59 +0000

Yes....
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By: rickinnocal

rickinnocal — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:50:59 +0000

It would depend on State law. My State requires that Drs have medical malpractice insurance, but does not require lawyers to have legal malpractice. Richard
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By: LovesTheConstitution

LovesTheConstitution — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:07:59 +0000

Licensing requirements for physicians and for lawyers do not include requirements for malpractice insurance. It is optional.

Professionals who do not carry insurance are risking a lot. If, for instance, a former patient or client successfully sued, the judgment would allow that person post-judgment remedies, like garnishing the business’s and the individual’s bank accounts, taking non-exempt property for a sheriff’s sale to satisfy the judgment, etc., etc. With insurance, the benefits would be available to pay the judgment creditor.
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30 years experience in civil litigation

By: Michael H

Michael H — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:53:59 +0000

Legal? Yes. Smart? No
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By: RemembertheUtah

RemembertheUtah — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:31:59 +0000

No, it is not illegal..

But I would recommend the doctor set his practice up as an LLC so if he loses a lawsuit he will not lose his home.

Some doctors deliberately do not carry insurance and have things set up as an LLC where they are an employee for one specific reason, when a patient goes and tries to get a lawyer to sue the doctor, the lawyer finds out the most they could get is a few thousand in assets of the LLC and future earnings of the LLC. If the doctor simply quits working for his own LLC, there is no money at all. Lawyers will not take a case if they do not have a good chance of making money off of it. It is about the only way you can ensure a lawyer will not take a case just for a chance of getting money…
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By: firewomen

firewomen — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:58:59 +0000

Yes but you are putting a gun to your head and waiting for someone else to pull the trigger.*
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By: Spock (rhp)

Spock (rhp) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:34:59 +0000

yes — malpractice insurance is optional. my family physician doesn’t have it.
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