Negligent Lawyer Question

[Tracey]

I just got off the phone with my attorney and he told me the OB who delivered my daughter had a $200,000 policy; which isn't very much and he said it wasn't very good in the medical field. He said that is the lowest policy you can get. Has anyone had this and did you get more than the $200,000 dollars?

Thanks,
Tracey

[phaliscak]

No I haven't heard of that. What I do remember from my own experience is that if the jury awards more than the policy, than the Dr. pays for the difference out of his own pocket. I could be mistaken, but I don't think so. Good luck.

Patty

[Jamie MA]

I was told it's harder to get a good settlement or verdict from a doctor with a smaller policy- first if they do decide to settle before trial, they're never going to offer the full policy, they'd rather take their chances at trial. Second, if there is a verdict at trial, the doctor is responsible for the differnce-- but they could just as easily file for bankruptcy after and you'd still get just the policy-- that's a chance.
Seems like a very low policy amount considering verdicts now-- however I'm doing a research paper for college on Tort reform, because of the policy premiums that's exactly why doctors choose such low amounts- or to leave practicing certain types of medicine all together. A statistic I read said that in the State of MD alone, only 3% of the doctors in the entire state were responsible for awards since 1990! (Baltimore Sun artilce 1/22/04) I think they should get rid of the negligient doctors, if we can instill a 3 strikes your out for criminals, we should do the same for negligient doctors.
Sorry I'm still a littled heated with all the research material I've been reading.